Life history of a large flake biface. (15th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baena Preysler, Javier; Torres Navas, Concepción; Sharon, Gonen
• Is Part Of: Quaternary science reviews. Volume 190(2018)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 136
• Publication Date: 2018-06-15
• Subjects: Large flake Acheulian -- Biface -- Handaxe -- Cleaver -- Lithic technology -- Levant -- Iberia -- Quarry to discard; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; Stratigraphie -- Quaternaire -- Périodiques; 551.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2018.04.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-3791

Abstract

Abstract: Bifaces, primarily handaxes and cleavers, are the hallmark of the Acheulian techno-complex lithic industry. They spread across Africa and Eurasia during the Early to Middle Pleistocene. While many attempts have been made to define and describe the typology and technology of these tools, most focus on a single stage in their manufacture and usage, from quarry to discard. These attempts are fragmented, primarily due to the fact that at no single site are all stages of biface manufacture and use represented. An additional factor that appears to impede attempts to present the full "life cycle" of bifaces is the view of all Acheulian assemblages as belonging to a single cultural entity. While all assemblages belong to the same techno-complex, distinct stages and phases should be recognized, each different in typology, technology, and probably also in chronology. This research focuses on the large flake stage of the Acheulian. Data accumulated over many years of research from different regions are analyzed together in an attempt to present a holistic view of the life cycle of a biface. The study of particular Acheulian sites from the Levant and Western Europe enables us to reconstruct all stages of the biface, from raw material exploitation to final discard. The result is a model more comprehensive and precise than those suggested previously for understanding the Large Flake Acheulian. Highlights: First complete reconstruction of the life cycle of Large Flake Acheulian bifaces from quarry to discard. New data from Large Flake Acheulian sites in the Madrid Basin, Spain. Recognition of typological, technological and chronological differences in the Acheulian techno-complex.