Rethinking the significance of the microlith for hunting in the terminal Pleistocene/Holocene : a comparative study
Microliths are small cutting implements made from stone and found around the world in a variety of prehistoric contexts. It is assumed without question, due to their size, that these pieces were made with the intention of being hafted. Their presence in the prehistoric record is often interpreted as indicative of multi-component composite toolkit designs. While the possibility of alternative functions cannot be ruled out of consideration, they have traditionally been, and are still most commonly interpreted as having served as armatures for hunting weaponry. As a global phenomenon, the term microlith encompasses a great deal of regional variation. Traditionally, studies of microlithic assemblages have been insularly rooted within the particular research frameworks of these regions. It is only recently that the potential for comparative assessment has been highlighted as a significantly under-explored avenue for further establishing the values that made microlithic technology desirable in different times and places. This research focusses on three study regions with strong distinct trends of microlithic technology, primarily associated with hunting weaponry: northern Spain, southern Africa and interior Alaska.
Walker, James William Paddison
Rethinking the significance of the microlith for hunting in the terminal Pleistocene/Holocene : a comparative study. Microliths are small cutting implements made from stone and found around the world in a variety of prehistoric contexts. It is assumed without question, due to their size, that these pieces were made with the intention of being hafted. Their presence in the prehistoric record is often interpreted as indicative of multi-component composite toolkit designs. While the possibility of alternative functions cannot be ruled out of consideration, they have traditionally been, and are still most commonly interpreted as having served as armatures for hunting weaponry. As a global phenomenon, the term microlith encompasses a great deal of regional variation. Traditionally, studies of microlithic assemblages have been insularly rooted within the particular research frameworks of these regions. It is only recently that the potential for comparative assessment has been highlighted as a significantly under-explored avenue for further establishing the values that made microlithic technology desirable in different times and places. This research focusses on three study regions with strong distinct trends of microlithic technology, primarily associated with hunting weaponry: northern Spain, southern Africa and interior Alaska.
rethinking significance hunt terminal pleistocene holocene comparative_study small cutting implement make stone find around_world variety prehistoric context assume without question due size piece make intention hafted presence prehistoric record often interpreted indicative multi component composite toolkit design possibility alternative function rule consideration traditionally still commonly interpret serve hunt weaponry global phenomenon term encompass great_deal regional_variation traditionally study assemblage root within particular framework region recently potential comparative assessment highlight significantly under explored avenue establish value make microlithic_technology desirable different time_place focus_three study region strong distinct trend microlithic_technology primarily associate hunt weaponry northern spain southern_africa interior