Raw material exploitation around the Middle Paleolithic site of 'Ein Qashish

Abstract

Lithic reduction sequences reflect decisions made by ancient tool makers. The first stages of a reduction sequence concern raw material procurement and include identifying sources on the landscape, testing the quality of raw material, knapping on the spot or moving material to other locations. The distance from raw material source to a destination location is a significant factor that has implications for artifact life history.'Ein Qashish is located in the western Yizra'el Valley. The lithic assemblage from the late Middle Paleolithic site of 'Ein Qashish is made exclusively on flint. This raw material occurs as several different visual types, distinguished by their colors and textures. Several geological formations, some of which are flint-bearing, are known at various distances from the site, which is situated on a distal alluvial fan of a drainage that carried sediments and small flint nodules from Mt. Carmel towards the Qishon stream in the east.In order to associate archaeological flint from the assemblage of 'Ein Qashish to potential geological sources, we used visual observations (color and texture), geochemical (ICP-MS, ICP-AES) analyses, and statistical methods (e.g., ANOVA and Principle Component Analysis). Our analysis shows that ICP-MS and ICP-AES can be used to differentiate between flints from various geological formations and to assign archaeological artifacts to geological origin areas. The inhabitants of 'Ein Qashish obtained flints from various distances and integrated on-site knapping of flint from relatively closer sources with transport of finished tools from more distant locations. The relationship between the distance of potential raw material sources and the distribution of raw materials among technological products from different stages of reduction is addressed in order to discuss mobility patterns and raw material economy.