Lithics: The Journal of the Lithic Studies Society, Dec 21, 2015
Since the early 1990’s, the occurrence of Lower and Middle Palaeolithic artefacts as surface find... more Since the early 1990’s, the occurrence of Lower and Middle Palaeolithic artefacts as surface finds from superficial deposits capping the chalk of the North Downs has become increasingly widely recognised. These finds have primarily been made and published by members of Dover Archaeological Group, and are frequently associated with sub-surface chalk solution processes forming capture points (solution hollows and fissures) for Pleistocene sediments, as is common in Northern France. This paper presents a new find from the Alkham Valley, of likely late Middle Palaeolithic date. Full reference. Halliwell, G. and Scott, B. 2011 A late Middle Palaeolithic-type handaxe from East Kent. Lithics: the Journal of the Lithic Studies Society 32: 63–65. Keywords: Middle Palaeolithic, Mousterian, handaxe, high level surface finds.
This resource is a single blog post created as part of the Day of Archaeology initiative. The Day... more This resource is a single blog post created as part of the Day of Archaeology initiative. The Day of Archaeology project aimed to provide a window into the daily lives of archaeologists from all over the world. The project asked people working, studying or volunteering in the archaeological world to participate in a 'Day of Archaeology' each year by recording their day and sharing it through text, images or video on the Day of Archaeology blog.<br>The project asked anyone with a personal, professional or voluntary interest in archaeology to get involved, and help highlight the reasons why archaeology is vital to protect the past and inform our futures. The resulting Day of Archaeology project archive demonstrates the wide variety of work the archaeological profession undertakes day-to-day across the globe, and helps to raise public awareness of the relevance and importance of archaeology to the modern world.<br>The first ever Day of Archaeology was held in 2011 a...
The first volume is a series of papers presented at an international symposium at Blaubeuren-Tübi... more The first volume is a series of papers presented at an international symposium at Blaubeuren-Tübingen in July 2004, published to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Neander Valley discovery. Whilst explicitly concerned with the origins of modern humans in Europe and the fate of the Neanderthals, this is an excellent collection of papers which encompasses a variety of perspectives, written in a refreshingly non-polemical, discursive manner. Although not divided thematically, the papers are grouped by shared focus. Conard reviews the history of research into questions of interaction and extinction, and the emergence of behavioural modernity as an area of interest in itself. His paper underlines a primary focus of the collection as a whole: that such complex issues cannot be addressed with reference to monocausal explanations, but are
It is also possible that your web browser is not configured or not able to display style sheets. ... more It is also possible that your web browser is not configured or not able to display style sheets. In this case, although the visual presentation will be degraded, the site should continue to be functional. We recommend using the latest version of Microsoft or Mozilla web browser to ...
ABSTRACT This paper reports important findings relating to the chronology of Palaeolithic occupat... more ABSTRACT This paper reports important findings relating to the chronology of Palaeolithic occupation, artefact typology and Quaternary fluvial deposits from a geoarchaeological watching brief undertaken over 17 years at Kimbridge Farm Quarry, Dunbridge, Hampshire. Sections were recorded and sampled and 198 artefacts, principally hand axes, were collected, with the primary aim of enhancing understanding of the geological context of the richest Lower Palaeolithic assemblage from Hampshire. Digital terrain modelling was used to characterize the three-dimensional form of the fluvial geology. Two gravel terraces have been confirmed: an upper Belbin Formation, which contained most of the archaeological artefacts, and a lower Mottisfont Formation. Results of specific note included recovery of artefacts demonstrating elements of ‘proto-Levallois’ technology from within the Belbin Gravel deposition. Fully developed Levallois technology was present across both the Belbin Gravel and the Mottisfont Formation at Dunbridge, the latter having an otherwise relatively sparse Palaeolithic content. Previously published OSL dating, supplemented by new data, has been combined with uplift modelling to suggest dates of MIS 9b and MIS 8, respectively, for these two gravels. This fits well with evidence from other sites in England and the near Continent for the timing of the earliest Levallois at around MIS 9. The results from the Dunbridge watching brief have demonstrated that this response provides a relatively cost effective method by which important scientific data can be salvaged from commercial quarrying.
Andrew Shaw and Beccy Scott (Chapter 5)discuss the technology, behaviour and settlement history o... more Andrew Shaw and Beccy Scott (Chapter 5)discuss the technology, behaviour and settlement history of Palaeolithic humans
The transition from Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Palaeolithic is one of the most debated question... more The transition from Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Palaeolithic is one of the most debated questions in early Prehistory since the mid-20th century. These debates are mostly due to how early prehistorians constructed their chronological model based on index-fossil, model with “artifical boundaries designed to provide structure to a complex record and, rather than being conceived of as permanent or real, should be frequently examined and revised (Roebroeks & Corbey 2001; Monnier, 2006). In this paper we do not focus our efforts on insolvent issues of systematics and nomenclature. We suggest documenting a time frame known for rapid behavioural and technological changes, from MIS 9 to 6. On a large scale, the Western Europe, several researchers working on principle sites of this period propose to make an assesment of the current research on the emergence of the so-called Middle Palaelolithic. From a rich corpus of archaeological sites, will be discussed in particular the taphonomy, the p...
Did Neanderthal hunters drive mammoth herds over cliffs in mass kills? Excavations at La Cotte de... more Did Neanderthal hunters drive mammoth herds over cliffs in mass kills? Excavations at La Cotte de St Brelade in the 1960s and 1970s uncovered heaps of mammoth bones, interpreted as evidence of intentional hunting drives. New study of this Middle Palaeolithic coastal site, however, indicates a very different landscape to the featureless coastal plain that was previously envisaged. Reconsideration of the bone heaps themselves further undermines the ‘mass kill’ hypothesis, suggesting that these were simply the final accumulations of bone at the site, undisturbed and preserved in situ when the return to a cold climate blanketed them in wind-blown loess.
In the 1880s, Flaxman C.J. Spurrell discovered two of the most important British early Middle Pal... more In the 1880s, Flaxman C.J. Spurrell discovered two of the most important British early Middle Palaeolithic sites: the “chipping floor” at Crayford; and the Levallois sites of the Ebbsfleet Valley, later to be known as Baker’s Hole. However, little is now known of his wider work, and he has sadly slipped into obscurity. This paper reviews the work, contemporary impact and ongoing legacy of this quiet man. Full reference: Scott, B. & Shaw, A. 2009. The quiet man of Kent: the contribution of F.C.J. Spurrell to the early years of Palaeolithic archaeology. In R. Hosfield, F. Wenban-Smith & M. Pope (eds.) Great Prehistorians: 150 Years of Palaeolithic Research, 1859–2009 (Special Volume 30 of Lithics: The Journal of the Lithic Studies Society): 53–64. Lithic Studies Society, London. Keywords: Flaxman C.J. Spurrell, early Middle Palaeolithic, Crayford, Baker’s Hole, Ebbsfleet Valley
Lithics: The Journal of the Lithic Studies Society, Dec 21, 2015
Since the early 1990’s, the occurrence of Lower and Middle Palaeolithic artefacts as surface find... more Since the early 1990’s, the occurrence of Lower and Middle Palaeolithic artefacts as surface finds from superficial deposits capping the chalk of the North Downs has become increasingly widely recognised. These finds have primarily been made and published by members of Dover Archaeological Group, and are frequently associated with sub-surface chalk solution processes forming capture points (solution hollows and fissures) for Pleistocene sediments, as is common in Northern France. This paper presents a new find from the Alkham Valley, of likely late Middle Palaeolithic date. Full reference. Halliwell, G. and Scott, B. 2011 A late Middle Palaeolithic-type handaxe from East Kent. Lithics: the Journal of the Lithic Studies Society 32: 63–65. Keywords: Middle Palaeolithic, Mousterian, handaxe, high level surface finds.
This resource is a single blog post created as part of the Day of Archaeology initiative. The Day... more This resource is a single blog post created as part of the Day of Archaeology initiative. The Day of Archaeology project aimed to provide a window into the daily lives of archaeologists from all over the world. The project asked people working, studying or volunteering in the archaeological world to participate in a 'Day of Archaeology' each year by recording their day and sharing it through text, images or video on the Day of Archaeology blog.<br>The project asked anyone with a personal, professional or voluntary interest in archaeology to get involved, and help highlight the reasons why archaeology is vital to protect the past and inform our futures. The resulting Day of Archaeology project archive demonstrates the wide variety of work the archaeological profession undertakes day-to-day across the globe, and helps to raise public awareness of the relevance and importance of archaeology to the modern world.<br>The first ever Day of Archaeology was held in 2011 a...
The first volume is a series of papers presented at an international symposium at Blaubeuren-Tübi... more The first volume is a series of papers presented at an international symposium at Blaubeuren-Tübingen in July 2004, published to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Neander Valley discovery. Whilst explicitly concerned with the origins of modern humans in Europe and the fate of the Neanderthals, this is an excellent collection of papers which encompasses a variety of perspectives, written in a refreshingly non-polemical, discursive manner. Although not divided thematically, the papers are grouped by shared focus. Conard reviews the history of research into questions of interaction and extinction, and the emergence of behavioural modernity as an area of interest in itself. His paper underlines a primary focus of the collection as a whole: that such complex issues cannot be addressed with reference to monocausal explanations, but are
It is also possible that your web browser is not configured or not able to display style sheets. ... more It is also possible that your web browser is not configured or not able to display style sheets. In this case, although the visual presentation will be degraded, the site should continue to be functional. We recommend using the latest version of Microsoft or Mozilla web browser to ...
ABSTRACT This paper reports important findings relating to the chronology of Palaeolithic occupat... more ABSTRACT This paper reports important findings relating to the chronology of Palaeolithic occupation, artefact typology and Quaternary fluvial deposits from a geoarchaeological watching brief undertaken over 17 years at Kimbridge Farm Quarry, Dunbridge, Hampshire. Sections were recorded and sampled and 198 artefacts, principally hand axes, were collected, with the primary aim of enhancing understanding of the geological context of the richest Lower Palaeolithic assemblage from Hampshire. Digital terrain modelling was used to characterize the three-dimensional form of the fluvial geology. Two gravel terraces have been confirmed: an upper Belbin Formation, which contained most of the archaeological artefacts, and a lower Mottisfont Formation. Results of specific note included recovery of artefacts demonstrating elements of ‘proto-Levallois’ technology from within the Belbin Gravel deposition. Fully developed Levallois technology was present across both the Belbin Gravel and the Mottisfont Formation at Dunbridge, the latter having an otherwise relatively sparse Palaeolithic content. Previously published OSL dating, supplemented by new data, has been combined with uplift modelling to suggest dates of MIS 9b and MIS 8, respectively, for these two gravels. This fits well with evidence from other sites in England and the near Continent for the timing of the earliest Levallois at around MIS 9. The results from the Dunbridge watching brief have demonstrated that this response provides a relatively cost effective method by which important scientific data can be salvaged from commercial quarrying.
Andrew Shaw and Beccy Scott (Chapter 5)discuss the technology, behaviour and settlement history o... more Andrew Shaw and Beccy Scott (Chapter 5)discuss the technology, behaviour and settlement history of Palaeolithic humans
The transition from Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Palaeolithic is one of the most debated question... more The transition from Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Palaeolithic is one of the most debated questions in early Prehistory since the mid-20th century. These debates are mostly due to how early prehistorians constructed their chronological model based on index-fossil, model with “artifical boundaries designed to provide structure to a complex record and, rather than being conceived of as permanent or real, should be frequently examined and revised (Roebroeks & Corbey 2001; Monnier, 2006). In this paper we do not focus our efforts on insolvent issues of systematics and nomenclature. We suggest documenting a time frame known for rapid behavioural and technological changes, from MIS 9 to 6. On a large scale, the Western Europe, several researchers working on principle sites of this period propose to make an assesment of the current research on the emergence of the so-called Middle Palaelolithic. From a rich corpus of archaeological sites, will be discussed in particular the taphonomy, the p...
Did Neanderthal hunters drive mammoth herds over cliffs in mass kills? Excavations at La Cotte de... more Did Neanderthal hunters drive mammoth herds over cliffs in mass kills? Excavations at La Cotte de St Brelade in the 1960s and 1970s uncovered heaps of mammoth bones, interpreted as evidence of intentional hunting drives. New study of this Middle Palaeolithic coastal site, however, indicates a very different landscape to the featureless coastal plain that was previously envisaged. Reconsideration of the bone heaps themselves further undermines the ‘mass kill’ hypothesis, suggesting that these were simply the final accumulations of bone at the site, undisturbed and preserved in situ when the return to a cold climate blanketed them in wind-blown loess.
In the 1880s, Flaxman C.J. Spurrell discovered two of the most important British early Middle Pal... more In the 1880s, Flaxman C.J. Spurrell discovered two of the most important British early Middle Palaeolithic sites: the “chipping floor” at Crayford; and the Levallois sites of the Ebbsfleet Valley, later to be known as Baker’s Hole. However, little is now known of his wider work, and he has sadly slipped into obscurity. This paper reviews the work, contemporary impact and ongoing legacy of this quiet man. Full reference: Scott, B. & Shaw, A. 2009. The quiet man of Kent: the contribution of F.C.J. Spurrell to the early years of Palaeolithic archaeology. In R. Hosfield, F. Wenban-Smith & M. Pope (eds.) Great Prehistorians: 150 Years of Palaeolithic Research, 1859–2009 (Special Volume 30 of Lithics: The Journal of the Lithic Studies Society): 53–64. Lithic Studies Society, London. Keywords: Flaxman C.J. Spurrell, early Middle Palaeolithic, Crayford, Baker’s Hole, Ebbsfleet Valley
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