Flake tools in the European Lower Paleolithic: A case study from MIS 9 Britain

Area of Science:

• Paleolithic Archaeology
• Lithic Technology Studies
• European Prehistory

Background:

• Flake tools are less studied in the British Lower Paleolithic compared to handaxes.
• Marine Isotope Stage 9 (MIS 9) is considered a transitional period in European prehistory, preceding the Middle Paleolithic.
• Previous research suggested an increase in flake tool importance during MIS 9, possibly indicating emerging Middle Paleolithic behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To technologically examine British flake tools from MIS 9.
• To assess if MIS 9 flake tools represent a transition toward Middle Paleolithic technology.
• To evaluate changes in flake tool use and importance during MIS 9 in Britain.

Main Methods:

• Technological examination of flake tools from 25 British sites dating to MIS 9.
• Analysis of 15 assemblages with notable quantities of flake tools.
• Consideration of factors like collection history, site formation, function, reduction, and cultural affiliations.

Main Results:

• The British archaeological record for MIS 9 does not indicate an increase in flake tool use.
• MIS 9 flake tools exhibit more continuity with earlier Lower Paleolithic periods than significant change.
• Evidence points to ad hoc retouching of simple flake tools, with occasional more invasive retouching for scrapers.

Conclusions:

• Major technological shifts in the Lower Paleolithic began earlier, between MIS 13 and MIS 11.
• MIS 9 and the subsequent Early Middle Paleolithic saw little change in flake tools, apart from the introduction of Levallois technology.
• The perceived transition in MIS 9 is better understood as a cementing of earlier technological developments.