The use of canonical variates for determination of biface manufacturing technology at boxgrove lower palaeolithic site and the behavioural implications of this technology

The application of canonical variates analysis to experimentally produced biface reduction sequences and subsequent analysis of archaeological flint debitage indicate that most of the archaeological debitage was knapped with a bone or an antler percussor. This soft percussor was used after minimal n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of archaeological science 1989, Vol.16 (1), p.17-26
Main Author: Wenban-Smith, F.F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
behaviour
boxgrove
canonical variates
Europe
experimental replication
Lower and middle palaeolithic
lower palaeolithic
North West Europe
Palaeolithic and mesolithic
Prehistory and protohistory
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Summary:The application of canonical variates analysis to experimentally produced biface reduction sequences and subsequent analysis of archaeological flint debitage indicate that most of the archaeological debitage was knapped with a bone or an antler percussor. This soft percussor was used after minimal nodule preparation. The use of bone or antler as a percussor suggests both planning in the activities of the people at Boxgrove and a degree of curative behaviour. Two new statistics for the analysis of debitage are introduced, and the results suggest that debitage struck by a soft-stone hammer can be distinguished from debitage struck by a bone or antler hammer.
ISSN:0305-4403
1095-9238
DOI:10.1016/0305-4403(89)90053-8