ABSTRACT We present three atlatl hooks unearthed at the Jiskairumoko and Kaillachuro archaeological sites dated to the Terminal Archaic and Early Formative periods (5000–3000 BP). Using morphological analysis – a typological comparison with eleven other specimens recovered from various sites in the South-Central Andes – and high-power microwear analysis, we demonstrate that the three artifacts recovered from Jiskairumoko and Kaillachuro functioned as atlatl hooks and assign probable atlatl types for each. Our findings support the early use of atlatl weaponry in the Titicaca Basin, as well as support its continued use after the adoption of the bow and arrow system. Beyond the presentation of our data, we propose a strategy for the study of hooks that will enable Andean researchers to infer the type of atlatl system employed.

ABSTRACT In the last 2500 years BP the environment of Southern Patagonia was affected by significant climatic changes. In this scenario, in the central-western portion of Santa Cruz province (Patagonia, Argentina), hunter-gatherer populations made a complementary use of the different ecological areas (highlands and lowlands). Differences in artefactual assemblages have been recorded in these areas. Within this context, we analyze variability in the most frequent lithic artifact from the region: endscrapers. We assess morphology and compare results between different sectors from highlands and lowlands. The question is whether the morphology of endscrapers also differs between ecological areas. Quantitative (length, width and thickness) and qualitative variables (raw material and blank type) were measured on 514 endscrapers. Results show that there are no statistical differences between highlands and lowlands. Variability in dimensions is only detected for some raw materials. Indeed, standardization in the morphology of this type of tool is proposed for the period under study.

ABSTRACT A field-based experiment was carried out to assess the impact of heat on lithic raw materials commonly used for knapping tools along the north Patagonian coast of Argentina. Descriptive data for the experimental items were recorded both before and after exposure to fire. Through network analysis, we explore the relationship between variables to establish the co-occurring of traits resulting from the material’s exposure to heat. Statistical analysis of network topology allows us to identify clusters of variables, which were categorized into morphological, mechanical, and pseudo-technological groups. These findings indicate that alterations within the same category covary more than those across different categories. The results obtained are relevant to addressing taphonomic issues in the northern coast of Patagonia, where frequent fire seasons affect surface sites. Ultimately, we aim to characterize these traits and build a reference framework to compare the transformations observed in the lithic archaeological record caused by natural fires.

ABSTRACT Microscopic artifacts help archaeologists study ancient societies and site formation processes. They have struggled to analyze them objectively, though. The traditional microscope-based approach has limited the number of samples and increased intra- and inter-observer errors. Here, we present an alternative based on experimental archaeology, Dynamic Image Analysis (DIA), and statistics. We ask whether microdebitage – the almost invisible debris from stone-knapping – has the same shape as macrodebitage or lithic artifacts wider than 4 mm. We collaborated with four modern stone-knappers to gather lithic debris. A new type of particle analyzer allowed us to measure five relevant variables for 23,694 knapping debris items. We use DIA to count, describe, and size-grade the debitage. We then analyze the resulting spreadsheet statistically. The results indicate highly significant statistical differences between microdebitage and macrodebitage as well as among microdebitage size classes. Combining experimental archaeology, DIA, and statistics enables the quantitative study of microdebitage.

ABSTRACT New information is presented on the particular design of side-scrapers and knives, referred to as long-edge artifact on biface (LEAB), and its spatial and temporal distribution in southern Patagonia is explored. The analysis considers morphological and technological characteristics, the presence of four specific attributes (overshot, platform, end thinning, and domes), and functional information at a microscopic level. A total of 101 lithics originating from academic investigations, private collections, and environmental impact assessments from different locations around the Santa Cruz province (Patagonia, Argentina) are studied. The distribution of LEAB reaches different sectors of steppe and mountain forest areas from at least 7000 years BP and into the late Holocene. In addition, LEAB manufacture among inland hunting-gathering populations and between them and maritime hunter-gatherers is recorded. These results support the transmission of information about LEAB design circulation across Southern Patagonia.

ABSTRACT The Acheulean has long been defined by its characteristic large bifacial implements (“Large Cutting Tools”), which appear from its very beginning. While experimental work attests to the usefulness of these tools in heavy-duty cutting tasks, the morphology of these experimental tools is often very different to Early Acheulean forms, with use-wear confirmation of their deployment at this time extremely patchy. This leaves open the potential for other explanations of biface innovation, including that they evolved as a specialized core form. Here, a dedicated methodology for the comparison of Oldowan-like cores and Early Acheulean-like bifaces is presented, alongside a preliminary analysis of changes to core morphology throughout the knapping process. The results highlight some key differences in the metric variables under consideration, that may have implications for later analysis of flake morphology. This paper also serves to discuss potential limitations of the method that could be addressed in future replications.

ABSTRACT Lithic artifacts from the lower layers of the Helong Dadong site (27-24 Ka cal BP) in the Changbai Mountains were examined to elucidate the technological organization of prehistoric hunter-gatherers at the onset of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The results show: (1) there are no LGM remains due to an occupational gap between the upper and lower layers; (2) burins were maintainably designed, and burin detachments may have had multiple purposes; (3) many artifacts show evidence of recycling and/or redesign; (4) artifacts were efficiently used, none were specialized tools for a single task. This study concludes that the lithic technological organization of the Dadong site’s lower layer is associated with highly mobile foragers of the LGM. However, with the development of the LGM, the climate became colder. Foraging patterns had to change, possibly causing the chronological hiatus in habitation.

ABSTRACT This study examines knapping techniques in the production of stone tools made on dolerite to understand the knapping characteristics of this igneous tool stone. Extensive experimental research exists on the knapping of silica-rich materials like flint, yet studies on materials low in silica remain scarce. Dolerite, an igneous rock composed mainly of plagioclase, feldspar, and pyroxene, has been used during the Palaeolithic globally and the Middle Stone Age (MSA) of Africa specifically. We address two questions: (i.) Does the application of different knapping techniques to dolerite produce artifacts with distinguishable attributes? (ii.) Are these attributes similar to or different from those of flint? Using three direct percussion techniques, we created an experimental reference assemblage on dolerite and conducted a quantitative attribute analysis. Our findings indicate that knapping techniques can be distinguished at the assemblage level, with attributes significantly different from flint, highlighting the need for further studies on diverse lithic materials.

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the lithology and raw material provenance of stone artifacts discovered in the prehistoric cave of Kouvaras in Eastern Attica, dating back to the 10th-9th millennia B.C. The study aims to determine whether these prehistoric artifacts were made on local or non-local raw materials. The research consists of two main components: a field study to detect the geological features of the region and collect raw material samples, and a laboratory investigation using XRD, SEM and p-XRF techniques to conduct a petrological analysis. The results suggest that relying solely on chert chemistry to effectively determine the sources of chert artifacts is not a reliable method. By combining several analytical methods and taking a holistic approach, researchers can gain valuable insights into prehistoric human interactions with the local geological environment and the use of available natural resources to make artifacts in prehistoric times.

ABSTRACT The acquisition and use of stone raw materials by prehistoric groups requires many strategic decisions that affect various costs and benefits. These decisions entail consideration of a number of characteristics of the available materials themselves, including quality, nodule size, source location, spatial distribution and abundance. In addition, they must take into account the intended uses – the types and requirements of the different tools to be made. An example using assemblages of Late Paleolithic and Early Mesolithic artifacts from southwestern Germany explores the nature of such decisions. Aspects of blank production and use of different materials for different classes of artifacts are explored.