Lithic assemblages from the Middle Pleistocene of Iberia : the typology and technology of quartzite artefacts in the Spanish Meseta and Portugal
A multitude of different rock types were exploited for the manufacture of stone artefacts during Middle Pleistocene times. However, different rock types, especially non-flint rocks, do not always react in the same manner to artificial fracture and may affect the composition and appearance of stone tool assemblages. In Iberia quartzite pebbles and cobbles were widely exploited for the manufacture of stone tools in those areas where flint was not locally available. This thesis attempts to determine the effect of quartzite pebbles on the technology used by the prehistoric hominids in the manufacture of stone artefacts, and their typological classification by modern prehistorians. Assemblages in quartzite and/or flint from the Spanish Meseta and Central Portugal were used as a basis for the study. The main body of the thesis may be divided into three parts: a typological study, based on literary sources, of eighteen lithic assemblages, a technological study of specific stone artefact categories from four assemblages, and a technological and typological study of a fifth assemblage in its entirety. Results of the study suggest that during the Middle Pleistocene, no aspect of stone tool manufacture was directly controlled
Moloney, Norah Mary
Lithic assemblages from the Middle Pleistocene of Iberia : the typology and technology of quartzite artefacts in the Spanish Meseta and Portugal. A multitude of different rock types were exploited for the manufacture of stone artefacts during Middle Pleistocene times. However, different rock types, especially non-flint rocks, do not always react in the same manner to artificial fracture and may affect the composition and appearance of stone tool assemblages. In Iberia quartzite pebbles and cobbles were widely exploited for the manufacture of stone tools in those areas where flint was not locally available. This thesis attempts to determine the effect of quartzite pebbles on the technology used by the prehistoric hominids in the manufacture of stone artefacts, and their typological classification by modern prehistorians. Assemblages in quartzite and/or flint from the Spanish Meseta and Central Portugal were used as a basis for the study. The main body of the thesis may be divided into three parts: a typological study, based on literary sources, of eighteen lithic assemblages, a technological study of specific stone artefact categories from four assemblages, and a technological and typological study of a fifth assemblage in its entirety. Results of the study suggest that during the Middle Pleistocene, no aspect of stone tool manufacture was directly controlled
lithic_assemblage middle pleistocene iberia typology technology artefact spanish portugal multitude different rock type exploit manufacture stone artefacts middle pleistocene times however different rock type especially non flint rock always react manner artificial fracture may_affect composition appearance stone_tool assemblage iberia widely exploit manufacture stone_tool area flint locally available attempt_determine effect technology_use prehistoric hominid manufacture stone_artefact typological_classification modern prehistorians assemblages and flint spanish central portugal use_basis study main_body may_divide three_part typological_study base literary_source eighteen lithic_assemblage technological study specific stone_artefact category assemblage technological_typological study fifth assemblage entirety study suggest middle_pleistocene aspect stone_tool manufacture directly control