The Mesolithic hunters of the Trentino : a case study in hunter-gatherer settlement and subsistence
This dissertation contributes to the understanding of Mesolithic settlement and subsistence change through a regional case study of archaeological data from the Trentino in northern Italy. It is argued in this thesis that in order to understand this period of hunter-gatherer prehistory, it is necessary to examine both animal bones and lithic material. These represent the main forms of archaeological evidence recorded from a series of valley bottom rock shelter and open air high altitude sites in the Trentino. An interpretative framework using risk based models is broadly applied to these data. Risk management is considered from the perspective of maintaining necessary dietary levels, through maximising the nutritional value of animal resources (animal bone data) and by tool technology (lithic materials). Butchery data are considered as evidence for hunters obtaining important sources of nutrition, including carbohydrates and vitamins, through marrow and bone grease extraction (e.g. Speth 1991). Mesolithic stone tools are examined in terms of the risks of failing to kill or capture hunted animals - through the application of 'maintainable' and 'reliable' aspects of microlithic technology and its residue (e.g.
Clark, Royston Helm
CC Archaeology
The Mesolithic hunters of the Trentino : a case study in hunter-gatherer settlement and subsistence. This dissertation contributes to the understanding of Mesolithic settlement and subsistence change through a regional case study of archaeological data from the Trentino in northern Italy. It is argued in this thesis that in order to understand this period of hunter-gatherer prehistory, it is necessary to examine both animal bones and lithic material. These represent the main forms of archaeological evidence recorded from a series of valley bottom rock shelter and open air high altitude sites in the Trentino. An interpretative framework using risk based models is broadly applied to these data. Risk management is considered from the perspective of maintaining necessary dietary levels, through maximising the nutritional value of animal resources (animal bone data) and by tool technology (lithic materials). Butchery data are considered as evidence for hunters obtaining important sources of nutrition, including carbohydrates and vitamins, through marrow and bone grease extraction (e.g. Speth 1991). Mesolithic stone tools are examined in terms of the risks of failing to kill or capture hunted animals - through the application of 'maintainable' and 'reliable' aspects of microlithic technology and its residue (e.g.
mesolithic_hunter case_study hunter_gatherer settlement subsistence contributes mesolithic settlement subsistence_change regional_case study archaeological_data northern_italy argued order period hunter_gatherer prehistory necessary examine animal_bone lithic_material represent main form archaeological_evidence record series valley bottom rock shelter open_air high altitude site interpretative_framework use risk base model broadly apply data risk management consider perspective maintaining necessary dietary level maximise nutritional value animal resource animal_bone data tool technology lithic_material butchery data consider evidence hunter obtain important source nutrition include bone extraction mesolithic stone_tool examine term risk fail kill capture hunt animal application reliable aspect microlithic_technology residue