A new look at microburin technology: some implications from experimental procedures.

This paper takes into consideration various experimental aspects of microburin technology within the framework of the Mesolithic Sauveterrian assemblages of northern Italy. These are: blank selection criteria, technique variability, the correct utilisation of technical parameters, accidental fracture development and the origin of some artefacts. Other factors, such as correct manipulation and individual learning, have not been taken into consideration. The analysis has been integrated with the experimental manufacture of triangular armatures, leading to the identification of variability in the number, dimension and role of the involved microburins has been defined??. These elements would suggest that a certain care must be taken in evaluating armature production indexes. Furthermore they would lead to a re-evaluation of excavation collection techniques. Apart from complementing the analysis of archaeological assemblages, the experiments represent a starting point for cultural parallels in a diachronic perspective.