Chaîne opératoire Approach

Abstract

AbstractThe chaîne opératoire approach is concerned with reconstructing the different technical stages from raw material procurement through blank production, tool manufacture, use and recycling to discard by drawing on the entirety of a stone artefact assemblage. Thus, on the one hand, statements can be made about the chronological sequence and, on the other hand, about the spatial organisation of the operational sequence (chaîne opératoire). It is assumed that stone artefact manufacture emerges as a cognitive project, which is translated, on an intellectual level, into a conceptual schema, which is finally concretised through a series of activities, the operative schema. This chapter explains the research history as well as the methodological basis and concludes with examples of application.