Flint products from a Globular Amphora culture grave in Stefankowice-Kolonia, Hrubieszów District, site 33 in the light of the latest considerations

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present considerations on the technological and functional aspects of flint tools produced by the community of the Globular Amphora culture. These reflections are based on discoveries made in a box grave from site No. 33 in Stefankowice-Kolonia (southeastern Poland). During the exploration of the funerary feature, a skeleton was found. It belonged to a man in the Maturus age. The body was accompanied by an abundant set of flint products composed of five blades and three axes (including one half-product). These artefacts were subjected to a technological analysis aimed at determining the techniques employed in the production of the blades and core tools.
 The analysis was complemented with microscopic examination performed in order to determine the functions of the discovered products. As a result, it was stated that the grave had been furnished with a collection of blades and an axe half-product that probably had never been used. This was not the case for the other two axes. On one of them, there were patterns indicating that it had been used for a long time to process wood. The patterns found on the other one were the result of hafting only. This fact is interesting, since there are no traces of use damage on the cutting edge. It appears that this artefact was abraded (sharpened anew) before being deposited in the grave.