Articles producció científica> Història i Història de l'Art

The emergence and significance of heavy-duty scrapers in ancient stone toolkits

  • Identification data

    Identifier: imarina:5133220
    Authors:
    Barsky, DeborahVerges, Josep-MariaTitton, StefaniaGuardiola, MiguelSala, RobertToro Moyano, Isidro
    Abstract:
    Heavy-duty scrapers are documented as a specific morphotype in ancient African and Eurasian toolkits from the Oldowan into the Acheulian. They are characterized by a flat platform perpendicularly oriented to a carinated edge. The convex surface of that edge displays semi-peripheral, unidirectional removals associated with steep retouch and/or crush marks. This morphotype has been described from numerous sites covering a long temporal scale and are diversely referred to in French as "rostro-carénés" or "nucléus-racloirs" and in English as "massive scrapers", "core scrapers", "large scrapers", or "heavy end-scrapers". Morpho-technological definitions and interpretations are reviewed to track the origin and evolution of heavy-duty scrapers over time and space. Results show that tools referred to as heavy-duty scrapers were made on thick cobbles during the Oldowan, and later, at the onset of the Acheulian, on Large Flakes, while smaller-sized items in Late Acheulian sites assume end-scraper morphologies. But should all of these tools really be grouped under a single denomination? Experimental work explores whether heavy-duty scrapers are the result of knapping processes, or if their morphology could be derived from other kinds of activities. Chronological continuity of the attributes specific to heavy-duty scrapers points to their role in ancient toolkits, suggesting that these scarce but ubiquitous primitive implements are, on equal footing with chopper-cores, one of the oldest morphotypes in the world.
  • Others:

    Author, as appears in the article.: Barsky, Deborah; Verges, Josep-Maria; Titton, Stefania; Guardiola, Miguel; Sala, Robert; Toro Moyano, Isidro;
    Department: Història i Història de l'Art
    URV's Author/s: Sala Ramos, Robert / Vergès Bosch, Josep Maria
    Keywords: Typology Tecnologia lítica Technology Stone tools Rostro-carene Paleoecologia humana Oldowan Heavy-duty scraper Evolució humana Acheulian
    Abstract: Heavy-duty scrapers are documented as a specific morphotype in ancient African and Eurasian toolkits from the Oldowan into the Acheulian. They are characterized by a flat platform perpendicularly oriented to a carinated edge. The convex surface of that edge displays semi-peripheral, unidirectional removals associated with steep retouch and/or crush marks. This morphotype has been described from numerous sites covering a long temporal scale and are diversely referred to in French as "rostro-carénés" or "nucléus-racloirs" and in English as "massive scrapers", "core scrapers", "large scrapers", or "heavy end-scrapers". Morpho-technological definitions and interpretations are reviewed to track the origin and evolution of heavy-duty scrapers over time and space. Results show that tools referred to as heavy-duty scrapers were made on thick cobbles during the Oldowan, and later, at the onset of the Acheulian, on Large Flakes, while smaller-sized items in Late Acheulian sites assume end-scraper morphologies. But should all of these tools really be grouped under a single denomination? Experimental work explores whether heavy-duty scrapers are the result of knapping processes, or if their morphology could be derived from other kinds of activities. Chronological continuity of the attributes specific to heavy-duty scrapers points to their role in ancient toolkits, suggesting that these scarce but ubiquitous primitive implements are, on equal footing with chopper-cores, one of the oldest morphotypes in the world.
    Thematic Areas: Paleontology Geociências Ciências biológicas i Biodiversidade
    ISSN: 16310683
    Author's mail: robert.sala@urv.cat josepmaria.verges@urv.cat
    Author identifier: 0000-0002-7168-824X
    Record's date: 2024-09-07
    Papper version: info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
    Link to the original source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1631068317301112
    Licence document URL: https://repositori.urv.cat/ca/proteccio-de-dades/
    Papper original source: Comptes Rendus Palevol. 17 (3): 201-219
    APA: Barsky, Deborah; Verges, Josep-Maria; Titton, Stefania; Guardiola, Miguel; Sala, Robert; Toro Moyano, Isidro; (2018). The emergence and significance of heavy-duty scrapers in ancient stone toolkits. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 17(3), 201-219. DOI: 10.1016/j.crpv.2017.09.002
    Article's DOI: 10.1016/j.crpv.2017.09.002
    Entity: Universitat Rovira i Virgili
    Journal publication year: 2018
    Publication Type: Journal Publications
  • Keywords:

    Paleontology
    Typology
    Tecnologia lítica
    Technology
    Stone tools
    Rostro-carene
    Paleoecologia humana
    Oldowan
    Heavy-duty scraper
    Evolució humana
    Acheulian
    Paleontology
    Geociências
    Ciências biológicas i
    Biodiversidade
  • Documents:

  • Cerca a google

    Search to google scholar