Lithic Technological Organization in the Changbai Mountains at the Onset of the Last Glacial Maximum: A Case Study of Assemblages from the Lower Layers of the Helong Dadong Site (27-24 Ka)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Lithic artifacts from the lower layers of the Helong Dadong site (27-24 Ka cal BP) in the Changbai Mountains were examined to elucidate the technological organization of prehistoric hunter-gatherers at the onset of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The results show: (1) there are no LGM remains due to an occupational gap between the upper and lower layers; (2) burins were maintainably designed, and burin detachments may have had multiple purposes; (3) many artifacts show evidence of recycling and/or redesign; (4) artifacts were efficiently used, none were specialized tools for a single task. This study concludes that the lithic technological organization of the Dadong site’s lower layer is associated with highly mobile foragers of the LGM. However, with the development of the LGM, the climate became colder. Foraging patterns had to change, possibly causing the chronological hiatus in habitation.