Scholarlink

<p>During the Late Middle Paleolithic (LMP; 120–40&#xa0;ka) in Europe, bifacial tool production expanded significantly, particularly during late MIS 5 (90–80&#xa0;ka) and the first half of MIS 3 (60–45&#xa0;ka). These bifacial industries have traditionally been interpreted as reflecting a small number of broad morphological types, supporting the existence of macro-regional cultural entities among Neanderthal groups. One such entity is the Mousterian of Acheulean Tradition (MTA), originally thought to extend across southwestern France from the Loire River to the Pyrenean foothills. However, recent research has questioned the homogeneity of MIS 3 assemblages within the Aquitaine region, suggesting potential regional subdivisions. To explore this possibility, we analyzed 213 bifaces from 10 archaeological sites assigned to MIS 5 or MIS 3 and located in either northern or southern Aquitaine. Our approach combined 3D geometric morphometric analysis of high-resolution digital models with technological and functional data. The results reveal significant chrono-spatial variability in biface morphology and production strategies. A clear morphological shift is observed between MIS 5 and MIS 3 assemblages, indicating a diachronic change in technological traditions. While MIS 5 bifaces do not exhibit marked regional differences, MIS 3 bifaces from northern and southern Aquitaine display distinct morphological and technological patterns. These findings support the interpretation of regionally differentiated cultural entities during MIS 3 and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of cultural dynamics among Neanderthal populations in southwestern Europe.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Handaxe Differentiation in the Late Middle Paleolithic of Southwestern France: Insights from Morphology, Technology, and Function

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月28日

查看全文
  • Marianne Deschamps,
  • Julie Perrotte,
  • Alexandre Varanda,
  • Michel Brenet,
  • Émilie Claud,
  • Naama Goren-Inbar,
  • Gadi Herzlinger

摘要

During the Late Middle Paleolithic (LMP; 120–40 ka) in Europe, bifacial tool production expanded significantly, particularly during late MIS 5 (90–80 ka) and the first half of MIS 3 (60–45 ka). These bifacial industries have traditionally been interpreted as reflecting a small number of broad morphological types, supporting the existence of macro-regional cultural entities among Neanderthal groups. One such entity is the Mousterian of Acheulean Tradition (MTA), originally thought to extend across southwestern France from the Loire River to the Pyrenean foothills. However, recent research has questioned the homogeneity of MIS 3 assemblages within the Aquitaine region, suggesting potential regional subdivisions. To explore this possibility, we analyzed 213 bifaces from 10 archaeological sites assigned to MIS 5 or MIS 3 and located in either northern or southern Aquitaine. Our approach combined 3D geometric morphometric analysis of high-resolution digital models with technological and functional data. The results reveal significant chrono-spatial variability in biface morphology and production strategies. A clear morphological shift is observed between MIS 5 and MIS 3 assemblages, indicating a diachronic change in technological traditions. While MIS 5 bifaces do not exhibit marked regional differences, MIS 3 bifaces from northern and southern Aquitaine display distinct morphological and technological patterns. These findings support the interpretation of regionally differentiated cultural entities during MIS 3 and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of cultural dynamics among Neanderthal populations in southwestern Europe.