Quantifying Transitions: Morphometric Approaches to Palaeolithic Variability and Technological Change

Abstract

Robust assessment of lithic technological transitions requires dependable methodologies for the comparative analysis of stone tools from different localities, regions, and even continents. Many concepts of technological variability and change during the Lower–Middle Palaeolithic centre upon differences in the shape of various cores and core tools (e.g., polyhedrons, discoids, Acheulean bifaces, Levallois cores, etc.). Morphometrics is the application of the principles of geometry to the statistical analysis of shape. In palaeontology (and biology in general) powerful mathematical and statistical methods of analysis are routinely applied to detailed morphometric data sets that allow secure assessments of intra- and inter-taxonomic variability, at both regional and global levels. Conversely, Palaeolithic archaeology has been slow to adopt methods that enable the comparative morphometric analysis of lithic variability, which could potentially allow a more secure assessment of the pattern and validity of technological transitions. This paper briefly assesses the reasons why Palaeolithic archaeology has been relatively slow to adopt the morphometric approach applied in the biological sciences. Employing a new method for morphometric lithic analysis, worked examples of Palaeolithic morphometric analysis are presented. These analyses emphasize the importance of developing a ‘morphometric comparative anatomy’ of stone tools, particularly with regard to increasing our understanding of technological transitions and variability.