The use of long blades and projectile points in the Western Mediterranean. Examples from the domestic and funerary sphere

Abstract

The lithic instruments from periods of recent prehistory, such as the Chalcolithic or the Bronze Age, have received scant attention from researchers. Only a few exceptional cases, such as large flakes or daggers found in funerary contexts, have been analyzed, mainly from a morphological perspective. In this study, we have compiled information from over a decade of analysis on instruments documented in burials and domestic structures in the northeastern region of the Iberian Peninsula. This study is significant as it enables us to evaluate the types of tools selected to be deposited in burials as grave goods and discern the differences compared to those utilized in daily activities. By delving into the use of these instruments, we have been able to construct interpretations not only regarding their function, but also shed light on the societies that employed them.