Backed Points

The relationship between human evolution and advances in hunting evolution is one of the frequently debated issues of Palaeolithic studies in the last decade. Recent studies suggest that long-range projectile hunting was innovated by modern humans, but not practiced by previous humans, and the complex projectile technology using spearthrower or bow indicates the high cognitive ability of modern humans. If this hypothesis is true, evidence for long-range projectile hunting must be found at the early Upper Palaeolithic sites in East Asia as well. In order to better understand
hunting evolution in East Asia, we started a projectile experiment project which allows us to reconstruct hunting methods, such as the use of thrusting lances, hand-casting javelins, spearthrower darts, and bow and arrow, on the basis of the traces on lithic artifacts.
Macroscopic analysis of the experimental specimens shows that there is a correlation between the formation patterns of impact fractures and the impact velocities. Especially, the frequency and dimension of impact fractures and the volume reduction rate would be useful indicators for detecting the use of spearthrower and bow in archaeological assemblages.

Der Übergang vom Jung- zum Spätpaläolithikum ist in Südwestdeutschland auch nach mehr als 100 Jahren archäologischer Forschung wenig verstanden. Hier bietet der Zigeunerfels mit seiner umfassenden und gut datierten Schichtenfolge die für die Region einmalige Möglichkeit, die kulturelle Entwicklung während des spätglazialen Interstadialkomplexes feinchronologisch aufzulösen. An dieser Stelle werden die ersten Ergebnisse der Neuuntersuchung zum Zigeunerfels vorgestellt. Es wird gezeigt, dass trotz er bereits vor 45 Jahren stattgefundenen Ausgrabung die Neuanalyse des Inventars des Zigeunerfels verspricht, neue Erkenntnisse über die spätglazialen Wildbeutergesellschaften und ihrer Umwelt zu liefern.

Arch-backed pieces from the site in Kraków – Zwierzyniec I document a unique cultural phenomenon having occurred in the Upper Palaeolithic. Despite the fact that curbed back strongly resembles specimens known from Châtelperronian or Ulluzian sites in western and southern Europe, presented materials seem to be a manifestation of an independent local tradition. Previously dated back to the Late Palaeolithic or linked with the Seletian culture, they finally became the basis for defining the Zwierzyniecian culture – a new cultural entity. Since their stratigraphic position within the sequence of Intepleniglacial soils is incoherent, precise dating of the phenomena in question is not possible. However, strong typological similarities to sites in the Prut basin, i.e.: Ciorpaci (layer 4), Ripiceni- Izvor (layer 2a), could be indicative of the younger position in the Interpleniglacial period. It implies contemporaneity of the materials in question with early Gravettian industries. Arch-backed pieces constitute a typologically heterogeneous group. In the paper they are divided into three categories: segments, backed knives and truncations.

The aim of the present research is a techno-functional comparison of two lithic assemblages from Grotta Paglicci located at Rignano Garganico (Apulia). Level 24A1 is attributed to the Aurignacian and dated to 29,300 ± 600 BP and layer 23 is referable to the early Gravettian and dated to 28,100 ± 400 BP. They are in stratigraphical continuity. Through the analysis
of the production schemes and the use of the lithic material, the
elements of continuity and change between both assemblages have been identified in order to contribute to a better definition of the distinctive features of the early Gravettian. The research shows no evidence of an eventual transition between the Aurignacian and the Gravettian technocomplex at this site.

THE BACKED POINTS FROM THE BASAL LAYERS OF THE GRAVETTIAN SEQUENCE AT GROTTA DELLA CALA (MARINA DI CAMEROTA, SALERNO PROVINCE).- Comparative analysis of the backed points allows to recognize techno-typological and typometrical changes between the gravettian levels GB and GL that could outline an evolutionary process during the initial phase of the Gravettian.
Passing from the lower to the upper level one observes, besides a reduction in the use of jasper, a clear decrease in dimensions of the backed points jointly with in increase of carénage.
The completely backed points predominate in both layers. They are mostly microgravettes; few Gravette points have been identified only in the lower layer. Small needle-shaped points, made probably from burin spalls, are exlusive of the upper layer GL.

Motaĺ microregion (Ivanava district, Brest region) is located in the Jasieĺda River basin, in Western Polesia. Investigations has been carried out here since the 1960s yielded voluminous archaeological collections. Now they are kept in the Institute of History of National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Brest Regional Museum of Local Lore, Motaĺ Museum of Folk Creativity. All collections are not homogeneous and consist of artifacts from various periods of prehistory. Finds of Kudlaevka culture are among them. I recognized specifc artifacts of Kudlaevka culture among the materials from the following sites: Motaĺ 1, Motaĺ 5, Motaĺ 11, Motaĺ 18, Motaĺ 20 as well as two collections originating from the sites without precise localization (‘Motaĺ 1–5’ and ‘Road from Tyškavičy to Motaĺ’). Te overall number of arifacts I identifed as belonging to Kudlaevka culture is 90. All of them are made of local Baltic erratic flint. Te most numerous group among them are microliths (71 pcs.). Tey are represented by following types: Stawinoga points – 12 pcs., lanceolate backed points – 13 pcs., Komornica points – 5 pcs., crescents – 3 pcs., backed bladelets – 13 pcs., Tardenoisian point – 1 pc., bladelet with truncated base – 1 pc., transversal points – 23 pcs. I also recognised nine Kudlaevka cores. Single-platforms ones for irregular blades and flakes prevails among them. In the most cases cores have plain unprepared striking platforms and some have platforms prepared by single lateral blow. Platform angles are in the range from 66° to 90°. Overhang reduction is recorded on two cores. Direct  percussion with a hard hammer was in use. Nine double backed perforators on blades typical for Kudlaevka culture and one microburin were recorded as well. Chronology of presented materials is based on the results of typological analyses and dating of Kudlaevka sites from contiguous territories. Te presence of transversal points among the materials from the sites of Motaĺ 1, Motaĺ 5 and Motaĺ 18 allows to date the sites back to the end of the Boreal – the beginning of the Atlantic period.
In: Супольнасці каменнага і бронзавага вякоў міжрэчча Віслы і Дняпра. Мінск, 2015 (Communities of the Stone and Bronze ages in the interfluve Vistula and the Dnieper rivers). pages 77 - 92.