Abstract
Nowadays, the fruitful discussion regarding the morphological variability of handaxes during the Middle Pleistocene has reached a decisive moment with the use of more accurate statistical methods, such as geometric morphometrics (GM) and multivariate analyses (MA). This paper presents a preliminary methodological approach for checking the utility of these new approaches on the analysis of the tools’ shape. It goes beyond the simple description of morphology and isolates the variables which define the final morphology of a tool. We compared two Middle Pleistocene sites, Boxgrove and Swanscombe, which are morphologically very different. Then, we applied the GM analysis on 1) 2D images, with two semi-landmark distributions: 28 semi-landmarks, specially concentrated on the tip and butt, and 60 equally spaced points; and 2) on 3D models using new software (AGMT3-D Software) including 5000 semi-landmarks. The more points used to define the tool’s outline, the more accurate will be the interpretation of the variables affecting shape. On the other hand, if the semi-landmarks are localized on specific sectors of the tool, a bias is created, by concentrating on those sectors, rather than the general tool shape. The 3D models offer a new dimension on the shape analysis, as their results mean the combination of plan-shape, profile-shape and the tool’s topography.
Highlights
Since the early stages of prehistoric research, there have been persistent attempts to develop a common set of technological features and measures in which the morphology of different lithic assemblages could be classified and compared
In the context of the Western European Acheulean Project (WEAP, Marie Skłodowska Curie IF-EF-ST Fellowship, Project ID: 748316), we have defined a common method of analysis for the study of handaxes and cleavers from several sites in the UK, France and Spain, based on a selection of technological attributes from the main traditions of lithic analysis that are considered to be significant (Garcia-Medrano in prep.)
WEAP includes the analysis of handaxes and cleavers from several sites in the UK, France and Spain (La Noira, Brandon Fields, Cagny La Garenne, Elveden, Swanscombe, Garcia-Medrano et al Saint Pierre-lès-Elbeuf, Menez-Dregan and Galería and TD10.1 sublevel of Gran Dolina, Atapuerca)
Summary
Since the early stages of prehistoric research, there have been persistent attempts to develop a common set of technological features and measures in which the morphology of different lithic assemblages could be classified and compared. In the context of the Western European Acheulean Project (WEAP, Marie Skłodowska Curie IF-EF-ST Fellowship, Project ID: 748316), we have defined a common method of analysis for the study of handaxes and cleavers from several sites in the UK, France and Spain, based on a selection of technological attributes from the main traditions of lithic analysis (typological, technological, morphometrical and sequential) that are considered to be significant (Garcia-Medrano in prep.) Combined with this technological characterization, WEAP has used GM on 2D images and 3D models to analyse both plan and profile shapes of handaxes and cleavers. WEAP includes the analysis of handaxes and cleavers from several sites in the UK, France and Spain
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