Abstract/Summary

Prior to widespread Levallois technology, the core artefacts within European Middle Pleistocene assemblages of both core-and-flake and large cutting tool (LCT) industries have often been relatively unheeded -except for a few key works- compared to large cutting tools. When studied the cores have mostly been interpreted on the basis of standard measurements and typological categories. Moreover large cutting tools have often been analysed by examining geometric-morphometric features and shape variations and/or by considering underlying cognitive developments (e.g. aesthetic concern and sexual selection) or associated evolutionary ‘events’ and patterns (e.g. regionalization and colonization). For these reasons, this study aimed to examine how lithic raw material was exploited and managed in both core-and-flake and LCT assemblages by examining flaking strategies, specifically volume management (e.g. reduction intensity), and exploitation patterns (e.g., axes and surfaces of flaking), utilizing innovative approaches, in addition to classical measurements. This aim was achievable by focusing on a limited time span and study area, and on particular artefact types; primarily cores and secondarily LCTs. The study focused on sites from MIS 11 and MIS 9 in northwest Europe, specific core-and-flake and LCT assemblages from Britain and France. Eight different sites have been selected, with 817 cores and 319 LCTs analysed in terms of flaking strategies and reduction intensity. Auxiliary data from 3,088 flakes was also used to model mass loss. The results have revealed a diverse array of volume management and flaking strategies in both the cores and LCTs. The results show that (1) there is no significant differentiation between the cores of the different core-and-flake and LCT assemblages in terms of their flaking strategies and volume management, while (2) there is significant differentiation in terms of the degree of volume exploitation, with slightly reduced core exploitation in LCT assemblages. Notably, significant insights have been gleaned from the analysis of core mass loss data from distinct assemblages (i.e. both core-and-flake and LCT assemblages) at the same sites. Specifically, the measured mass loss of cores within LCT assemblages was found to be lower than that observed for cores in core-and-flake assemblages. This discrepancy is interpreted as indicative of reduced pressure to produce more flakes from cores among those groups with a pronounced proficiency in LCT production. More generally, the overall technological similarities and differences across all the sites and assemblages were interpreted as reflecting discrete human behaviours and contrasting chaîne opératoires, and perhaps also different cultural traditions.