The making of the British early Palaeolithic, 1880-1960
This historical study explores the character of interpretations of the British Palaeolithic record between c. 1880 and c. 1960, focusing on attempts to classify and order the Early Palaeolithic industries. Interpretations were developed through complex interactions between individuals and groups, who were influenced by a range of aims, expectations and research opportunities. The impact of their contributions was partly dependent upon academic standing and the style of approach taken within the competitive arena of day-to-day research. General expectations of industrial patterning were founded upon the Early Palaeolithic industrial sequence from Western Europe, particularly the chronological succession from the Somme Valley, France, where the hand-axe was the most notable artefact. The assumption of progression and the use of prominent type-fossils such as the hand-axe in classifying and ordering industries coloured interpretations of the British Early Palaeolithic sequence. This is evident even in the approaches to the naturally-fractured stones known as 'eolithsâ. The idea of a single, progressive line of industries also fuelled argument over the position and affinities of the flake-rich Clactonian industry
O'Connor, Anne
The making of the British early Palaeolithic, 1880-1960. This historical study explores the character of interpretations of the British Palaeolithic record between c. 1880 and c. 1960, focusing on attempts to classify and order the Early Palaeolithic industries. Interpretations were developed through complex interactions between individuals and groups, who were influenced by a range of aims, expectations and research opportunities. The impact of their contributions was partly dependent upon academic standing and the style of approach taken within the competitive arena of day-to-day research. General expectations of industrial patterning were founded upon the Early Palaeolithic industrial sequence from Western Europe, particularly the chronological succession from the Somme Valley, France, where the hand-axe was the most notable artefact. The assumption of progression and the use of prominent type-fossils such as the hand-axe in classifying and ordering industries coloured interpretations of the British Early Palaeolithic sequence. This is evident even in the approaches to the naturally-fractured stones known as 'eolithsâ. The idea of a single, progressive line of industries also fuelled argument over the position and affinities of the flake-rich Clactonian industry
make british early palaeolithic historical_study explores character interpretation british palaeolithic record focus attempt classify order early palaeolithic industry interpretations develop complex_interaction individual_group influence range aim expectation opportunity impact contribution partly dependent_upon academic standing style take within competitive arena day_to_day research general expectation industrial patterning found_upon early palaeolithic industrial sequence western_europe particularly chronological succession valley france hand axe notable artefact assumption progression use prominent type hand axe classify order industry colour interpretation british early palaeolithic sequence evident even approach naturally fractured stone know idea single progressive line industry also fuel argument position affinity flake rich industry