Schème, schéma et chaîne opératoire : des concepts à croiser en préhistoire — application à l’instrumentation des pêcheurs mésolithiques d’Europe du Nord

Abstract

The theoretical notions of scheme, conceptual schema and chaîne opératoire are at the foundation of the technical analysis of prehistoric material productions. Widely used to highlight technical intentions involved in the tool manufacturing processes, these notions lead to discussing the Being of Technology through the technical behaviour analysis, which appears through the manufacture and use of tools. The article explores these notions, used in Prehistory, in their fundamental complementarity, while taking into account the different levels of analysis involved. Based on two case studies attributed to recent phases of European prehistory (8th-6th millennia calBC), these notions are applied to two bone tools assemblages, one from the site of Skipshelleren (Norway) and the other one from dredging of the River Bann (Ireland). According to the analysis of these tools of the same utility – i.e. the acquisition of the fishery resource –, the raw material used – generally long and flat bones of large mammals – offered and, at the same time, conditioned the technical possibilities governing the making and use of this equipment. With comparable technical constraints, the study of technical and morphological recurrences indicates the way in which prehistoric artisans took advantage of the anatomical configuration of these raw materials and these results reveal distinct production and functional strategies, which meet specific objectives. In order to identify the technical intention underlying these strategies, the theoretical notions of schemes, schema and chaîne opératoire are applied as powerful conceptual tools. Starting from archaeological material, the inferences obtained by their cross-application make it possible to discuss the way in which material constraints and technical traditions intersect and structure the Technique which, over the long term, follows its own trajectories in specific environments. The article thus demonstrates the way in which we can, from the observation of technical manifestations – chaîne opératoire – understand the organization of technical practice – conceptual schema – and reflect on the underlying technical logic – schemes –, which are interpreted in the light of material constraints.