LITHIC (TECHNO) TYPOLOGY AND THE STUDY OF THE EUROPEAN UPPER PALAEOLITHIC
Channel: European Association of Archaeologists
Date: 05/10/2020

Numerous approaches to lithic analysis exist in the study of the European Upper Palaeolithic, stressing particular approaches to the recording, analysis and interpretation of variation in lithic assemblages. Amongst these approaches, a focus on stone tool typology has been frequently maligned, despite its fundamental importance to the culture-historical framework in use across Europe. Here, I argue that typology (better described nowadays as technotypology) continues to be vital to the study of European Upper Palaeolithic lithic assemblages. I discuss the theoretical underpinnings of the technotypological approach as I understand them, as well as their implications. In its most basic form lithic typology can be defined as the study of types of lithic artefacts, and is a powerful tool for studying past structure in human populations and change through time when it is rooted in a solid theoretical basis and a recognition of the various factors that affect variability in lithic artefacts. I present some recent examples of progress in technotypological research, including the definition of new lithic types and reviews of the robusticity of established types. I argue strongly for the importance of typology, particularly when making comparisons of multiple assemblages and as a first approach to assemblages before other types of technological analyses. However, there is also definite scope for methodological improvement, and I discuss some possible ways forward. Lithic typology can never give us the entire picture of past change and variation, but it remains a powerful and important tool for Upper Palaeolithic archaeology.

Author(s): Reynolds, Natasha (UMR 5199 PACEA, University of Bordeaux)