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<p>This paper examines the archaeology of Marine Isotope Stage 9 (337–300&#xa0;ka), the final interglacial of the Lower Palaeolithic in Britain. We present an analysis of 614 handaxes from ten key sites independently dated to MIS 9, applying traditional methodologies alongside three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis to examine morphological variability. Through this, we characterise the archaeology of the period and investigate chronological and regional patterns. Our results show a diverse technology within MIS 9 sites, but one which is homogenous across most of Britain. This technology is characterised by the predominance of pointed handaxes, which are often crude, but with the presence of fan-shaped cleavers, ficrons, and giant handaxes. Unlike MIS 11, MIS 9 lacks regional and temporal sub-groups. There appears to be a divide between expediently worked crude handaxes and ‘over-engineered’ normative sub-types which may have taken on a degree of social significance. The archaeology in Britain during MIS 9 could reflect short excursions from mainland Europe, where similarities exist, or potentially a longer stable population which became adapted to the fluctuating environment. The technological diversity of MIS 9 demonstrates an increase in artefact classes based on multiple norms, suggesting a rise in cultural complexity at the end of the Lower Palaeolithic.</p>

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Handaxe diversity at the end of the Acheulean: The character and significance of handaxe assemblages from MIS 9 Britain in European context

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月23日

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  • Aaron Rawlinson,
  • Freddie Foulds,
  • Ceri Shipton,
  • Nick Ashton,
  • Luke Dale,
  • Mark White

摘要

This paper examines the archaeology of Marine Isotope Stage 9 (337–300 ka), the final interglacial of the Lower Palaeolithic in Britain. We present an analysis of 614 handaxes from ten key sites independently dated to MIS 9, applying traditional methodologies alongside three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis to examine morphological variability. Through this, we characterise the archaeology of the period and investigate chronological and regional patterns. Our results show a diverse technology within MIS 9 sites, but one which is homogenous across most of Britain. This technology is characterised by the predominance of pointed handaxes, which are often crude, but with the presence of fan-shaped cleavers, ficrons, and giant handaxes. Unlike MIS 11, MIS 9 lacks regional and temporal sub-groups. There appears to be a divide between expediently worked crude handaxes and ‘over-engineered’ normative sub-types which may have taken on a degree of social significance. The archaeology in Britain during MIS 9 could reflect short excursions from mainland Europe, where similarities exist, or potentially a longer stable population which became adapted to the fluctuating environment. The technological diversity of MIS 9 demonstrates an increase in artefact classes based on multiple norms, suggesting a rise in cultural complexity at the end of the Lower Palaeolithic.