End-scrapers are specialised hide-working tools that have attracted relatively little scientific attention compared to the high frequency with which they occur in Late Palaeolithic techno-complexes. This situation is even more evident for the period from 14 to 11 kyr cal BP, where typological variability increases as the size of this particular tool decreases in a process usually referred to as “the shortening of end-scrapers”. This development represents a further expression of the Azilianization process and forms part of a set of changes eventually leading to more simplified lithic production systems. In terms of the Late Epigravettian, the available information is still insufficient for identifying the reasons that led to long end-scrapers being replaced by shorter types differentiated into thumbnail, sub-circular and circular forms. In this light, the present work focuses on the Venetian Prealps in order to gain a better understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of the Epigravettian through to its terminal phase. This is achieved by considering end-scrapers as part of a larger technical system and thus moving beyond traditional typological approaches. The Late Epigravettian also saw a gradual shift in the criteria by which blades and bladelets were selected for being shaped into domestic tools. Such a shift could underlie the dramatic transformation of the type of end-scrapers made on both blades and flakes. Over time, end-scrapers are more and more frequently made on blade fragments connected to the rejuvenation of the core face or on by-products from the reduction sequence (chaîne opératoire). The morpho- and typo-metric characteristics of a sample of tools from sites dating from the beginning of the Lateglacial to the early Holocene which differ in geographic position, context, find density and function were analysed in order to detect evolutionary traits and discuss the results from a techno-economic perspective. While all the sites considered here have been systematically excavated, only some have been so recently. The lithic assemblages have been divided into five groups based on their chrono-cultural position deduced from a combination of chronometric and techno-typological data. The analysis then focused on the relation between the tool and the blank on which it was created, taking into account its morphological and technological character alongside other features such as cross-section, edge angle, integrity, and fracture type. Over one thousand specimens have been counted, including 1164 edges due to the presence of double scrapers which become more frequent in groups 3, 4 and 5. Laminar blanks were used in most cases, with flakes representing a secondary option. Only in the earliest phase at Riparo Tagliente is a clear selection of 'first choice' products perceptible, whereas in subsequent phases variable relations exist between cortical and non-cortical blanks, blades detached from the sides of cores and various by-products. Edge retouch is mostly semi-abrupt and edge angles range from 50° to 70° with an average of 59°. Cross sections are more frequently en concorde rather than plano-convex and the edges can be only partially retouched. The fragmentation rate (by site-assemblage) is around 50% with the majority of pieces bearing transverse fractures, 23% - 91% of which are tongued (languette). The length/width ratio shows the expected correlations when complete and fragmented blades are compared, although interesting results have also been obtained for the fragmentary specimens. In all groups, and especially clear from the Riparo Tagliente material, the average length of complete blades surpasses that of the fragmented examples. However, the range of values for the two categories overlap, especially in groups 2 and 4, suggesting that blades were intentionally fragmented in order to remove the striking platform and bulb which obstructed the hafting process. End-scrapers with tongued fractures, on the other hand, portray a more restricted range of values than do complete tools or those with ordinary fractures. Another notable correlation is seen among pieces with tongued fractures - which have a higher incidence on thin tools - and those with en concorde edge-types. Typological and size changes do not seem to correlate with a change in scraper function, suggesting artefact size to be a primary feature of this tool type. This is especially the case for short forms characterised by an en concorde profile, a concept shared across various Epigravettian contexts. Diachronic variability therefore results primarily from a shift in the criteria used for selecting blanks on which this tool type is produced. Finally, these criteria are set in a general economic context of associated knapping products, independent of the particular production strategy characteristic of each phase.
Les grattoirs épigravettiens et leur « raccourcissement » durant le Tardiglaciaire en Italie. Reflets d’un changement dans l’économie du débitage.
PERESANI, Marco;TOMIO, Cristina;
2014
Abstract
End-scrapers are specialised hide-working tools that have attracted relatively little scientific attention compared to the high frequency with which they occur in Late Palaeolithic techno-complexes. This situation is even more evident for the period from 14 to 11 kyr cal BP, where typological variability increases as the size of this particular tool decreases in a process usually referred to as “the shortening of end-scrapers”. This development represents a further expression of the Azilianization process and forms part of a set of changes eventually leading to more simplified lithic production systems. In terms of the Late Epigravettian, the available information is still insufficient for identifying the reasons that led to long end-scrapers being replaced by shorter types differentiated into thumbnail, sub-circular and circular forms. In this light, the present work focuses on the Venetian Prealps in order to gain a better understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of the Epigravettian through to its terminal phase. This is achieved by considering end-scrapers as part of a larger technical system and thus moving beyond traditional typological approaches. The Late Epigravettian also saw a gradual shift in the criteria by which blades and bladelets were selected for being shaped into domestic tools. Such a shift could underlie the dramatic transformation of the type of end-scrapers made on both blades and flakes. Over time, end-scrapers are more and more frequently made on blade fragments connected to the rejuvenation of the core face or on by-products from the reduction sequence (chaîne opératoire). The morpho- and typo-metric characteristics of a sample of tools from sites dating from the beginning of the Lateglacial to the early Holocene which differ in geographic position, context, find density and function were analysed in order to detect evolutionary traits and discuss the results from a techno-economic perspective. While all the sites considered here have been systematically excavated, only some have been so recently. The lithic assemblages have been divided into five groups based on their chrono-cultural position deduced from a combination of chronometric and techno-typological data. The analysis then focused on the relation between the tool and the blank on which it was created, taking into account its morphological and technological character alongside other features such as cross-section, edge angle, integrity, and fracture type. Over one thousand specimens have been counted, including 1164 edges due to the presence of double scrapers which become more frequent in groups 3, 4 and 5. Laminar blanks were used in most cases, with flakes representing a secondary option. Only in the earliest phase at Riparo Tagliente is a clear selection of 'first choice' products perceptible, whereas in subsequent phases variable relations exist between cortical and non-cortical blanks, blades detached from the sides of cores and various by-products. Edge retouch is mostly semi-abrupt and edge angles range from 50° to 70° with an average of 59°. Cross sections are more frequently en concorde rather than plano-convex and the edges can be only partially retouched. The fragmentation rate (by site-assemblage) is around 50% with the majority of pieces bearing transverse fractures, 23% - 91% of which are tongued (languette). The length/width ratio shows the expected correlations when complete and fragmented blades are compared, although interesting results have also been obtained for the fragmentary specimens. In all groups, and especially clear from the Riparo Tagliente material, the average length of complete blades surpasses that of the fragmented examples. However, the range of values for the two categories overlap, especially in groups 2 and 4, suggesting that blades were intentionally fragmented in order to remove the striking platform and bulb which obstructed the hafting process. End-scrapers with tongued fractures, on the other hand, portray a more restricted range of values than do complete tools or those with ordinary fractures. Another notable correlation is seen among pieces with tongued fractures - which have a higher incidence on thin tools - and those with en concorde edge-types. Typological and size changes do not seem to correlate with a change in scraper function, suggesting artefact size to be a primary feature of this tool type. This is especially the case for short forms characterised by an en concorde profile, a concept shared across various Epigravettian contexts. Diachronic variability therefore results primarily from a shift in the criteria used for selecting blanks on which this tool type is produced. Finally, these criteria are set in a general economic context of associated knapping products, independent of the particular production strategy characteristic of each phase.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
