Studying Palaeolithic macro-lithic tools’ uses by combining functional and spatial analyses. Preliminary results from Grotta di Fumane (Italy)
Creators: name: Caricola, Isabella
name: Zupancich, Andrea
name: Mutri, Giuseppina
name: Moscone, Daniele
name: Peresani, Marco
name: Cristiani, Emanuela
Publisher: name: Sezione di Museologia Scientifica e Naturalistica
Year: 2018

description: The application of spatial analysis and the use of GIS software plays a major role in the archaeology field. Analyzing the use of space in a given context, define artefact densities and orientation patterns represent only few examples through which it is possible to achieve relevant data and investigate more in details aspects of human behavior and/or features concerning site formation processes. If, on the one hand, the application of spatial analysis at an intra-site level is ordinary, its exploitation at a micro scale, for example in the study of ancient tool function is yet rare, despite the promising results obtained by several studies in which a combination of spatial analysis and use wear was attempted (e.g. de la Torre et al 2013; Bird et al 2007). In this presentation, we will discuss the potential of an integrated approach combining techno-functional and spatial analyses for understanding of non-knapped Paleolithic technology.

Within the scopes of the HIDDEN FOODS - ERC Starting Grant Project (GA 638296) the repertoire of Aurignacian macro-tools from Fumane Cave have been analyzed and interpreted as retouchers and hammerstones through an integrated methodological approach combining experimental archaeology, use wear and spatial analyses. To date, literature about lithic technology has rarely focused on the distinctive features of hammerstones and retouchers, which were probably completely ignored in the past and still misinterpreted during the excavations. In order to better understanding technological choices behind the use of macro-tools from Fumane Cave, we designed a dedicated experimental framework and based on the different retouch and percussion techniques identified at the site, it was possible to detail both the morphological features of the use wear associated to each gesture and their spatial distribution patterns. The experimental framework allowed the reconstruction of the chaîne opératoire, and to analyze the connection between the trace of use and the gesture that determined it. The experiments carried out included a series of percussion and retouch activities (e.g. striking platform adjustment, core adjustment, parallel retouch, scaled retouch) resembling the one identified on the archaeological specimens unearthed at the site. Spatial analysis was performed using ArcGis 10.4. Use wear density and directional distribution analysis permitted to create “distribution maps” related to each of the retouch and percussive activities performed, which were then compared with the ones originated by the analysis of the archaeological specimens. Moreover, correlating the experimental use wear and spatial maps and the traces and spatial patterns identified on the archaeological specimens it was possible to suggest that macro lithic tools at Fumane Cave were used in different phases of core reduction and to exploit two kinds of retouch techniques: parallel and scaled. Accordingly, we were able to provide detailed information regarding the activity and the gestures performed resulting in a clear interpretation of their use. The analysis of macro-lithic tools from Fumane Cave was the starting point for elaborating a combined methodological framework for studying and understanding various aspects of ancient technology. On the basis of the results here presented we believe that the application of such approach to other artefact categories (e.g. ground stones and knapped stones), as well as its extension to other aspects concerning their use (e.g. residues distribution), might provide new data and considerably enhance our current knowledge of ancient human technological behavior and choices.
description: Sezione di Museologia Scientifica e Naturalistica, Vol 13 (2017): IV IAPP - Ferrara 2018