Palaeolithic polyhedrons, spheroids and bolas over time and space

Area of Science:

• Archaeology
• Paleolithic Studies
• Lithic Analysis

Background:

• Polyhedrons, spheroids, and bolas (PSBs) are stone artifacts found globally from the Lower Paleolithic era.
• Despite their prevalence, knowledge regarding their manufacture and function remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and illustrate current knowledge on PSBs.
• To analyze relationships between PSB characteristics (quantity, raw material) and assemblage context.
• To investigate regional variations and potential independent histories of PSB production.

Main Methods:

• Database creation of 169 Paleolithic assemblages containing PSBs.
• Statistical analysis of artifact data, including raw material selection and regional distribution.
• Literature review and direct observation of artifact collections.

Main Results:

• PSB production predominantly utilized locally available hard stones and soft sedimentary rocks.
• Siliceous materials, common in Northwest Europe, were generally avoided for PSB manufacture.
• PSBs are scarce in Northwest Europe, potentially due to environmental factors (flint abundance) and regional traditions.

Conclusions:

• Raw material availability and properties (e.g., brittleness of flint) likely influenced PSB shape and function.
• The scarcity of PSBs in Northwest Europe may be linked to a lithic toolkit favoring flint, potentially unsuitable for PSB functions.
• PSBs represent a diverse category of artifacts with potential functional plasticity and long-term cultural diffusion or adaptation over two million years.