Identifying Major Transitions in the Evolution of Lithic Cutting Edge Production Rates.

ABSTRACT: The notion that the evolution of core reduction strategies involved increasing efficiency in cutting edge production is prevalent in narratives of hominin technological evolution. Yet a number of studies comparing two different knapping technologies have found no significant differences in edge production. Using digital analysis methods we present an investigation of raw material efficiency in eight core technologies broadly representative of the long-term evolution of lithic technology. These are bipolar, multiplatform, discoidal, biface, Levallois, prismatic blade, punch blade and pressure blade production. Raw material efficiency is assessed by the ratio of cutting edge length to original core mass. We also examine which flake attributes contribute to maximising raw material efficiency,

SUBMITTER: Muller A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5147885 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature