Projectile insets and backed pieces from the Upper Magdalenian of La Madeleine (Tursac, Dordogne, France), new data from lithic technology

Abstract

The technological and morphological reviewing of the backed bladelets and lithic points from the Peyrony and Bouvier series led us to question the status and role of these particular objects in the hunting equipment of the last Magdalenian people.Firstly, from a technological view point, a great flexibility in the production schemes characterizes the conception of backed bladelets as the methods of debitage and transformation of blanks into backed pieces vary but follow the same strict criteria as to their aim.Bladelet debitage at La Madeleine clearly aims at the production of tapered blanks, a complementary retouch adjusting the outline of the objects if necessary (edge, proximal or distal extremities). In some cases, this complementary retouch clearly modifies the blank morphology and could then take part in the making of particular types of backed bladelets. The schemes of retouch of these objects evolve progressively but clearly during the occupation of the shelter. The evolution of the lithic insets retouch schemes is clearly more effective during the Magdalenian V and VI, when first curved-backed points, then shouldered points are made, and harpoon technology develops in antler working, emphasizing the evolution in the conception of the hunting equipment. This evolution could be the result of a change in status of previous conceptions of projectile points, which no longer represent the only technical options. The greater care taken in the shaping of some bladelets could come within the intent of better defining the role of the hunting equipment existing before the introduction of new projectile points. Their evolution could then be part of a global modification of Magdalenian hunting equipment and capture techniques.