2014-09-21 13:11:15 • ID: 1190
Quina Mousterian from the Gargano
Intentional backing of stone tools in Europe was known since the Acheulian . Neanderthals successfully colonized the Italian peninsula, coping with different ecotones / niches and climates during considerable time since the Middle Pleistocene.
For a long time the Levallois technique seemed to prevalent only in the North-East while in Southern Italy the Quina system was suggested to be omnipresent. It is now clear, that this view was biased ( Daniele Aureli and Annamaria Ronchitelli 2018)
The Middle Paleolithic in the North is starting from OIS 9-8. Different techniques have been described: Levallois, volumetric laminar production (MIS 9,6,4), Discoid techniques are post MIS-5 phenomena, Quina was present during MIS 6 and 4. Handaxes persist until MIS 6 and show a short comeback during MIS4.
In central Italy Levallois is contested as early as MIS 11 in an Acheulian context. It was present during MIS7, 6-3. Quina Ensembles are present during MIS5/4, while Blades and Discoid methods are late (MIS3) phenomena. Handaxes are present until MIS6.
In so far the Levallois system in Southern Italy is later than in the North. Causes and impact of this observation remain unclear.
The Quina collection from the Mt Sacro found near Mattinata in the Gargano may be as old as MIS 6 or 5 and shows all the characteristics, that were described for the type site by Henri Martin.
Read Sidestone Press: Sidestone: Italy
Proveniance: Collection Baronetti / Milano IT
Resources and images in full resolution:
- Image: quinaquina.jpg
- Image: quina-aggsbach21.jpg
- Image: aggsbachs-scraper-backed.jpg
- Extern Link: www.sidestone.com…palaeolithic-italy