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2016-06-25 17:09:13 • ID: 1445
Thumbnail Scrapers
In Europe, scrapers of this type appeared to my knowledge first during the (Proto)-Aurignacian. Microtraceology usually often proved the identity of form and function (scraping hide), as recently demonstrated by Alio et al (2021) for the Protoaurignacian at Fumane.
Other examples of Aurignacian Thumbnail scrapers are known for example from the Vezere region (Abri Cellier) and the Aurignacian near Rome.
I personally know several examples from a surface scatter near the Monte Circeo about 40 km south from Rome. The sizes of the Aurignacian tools from this area and probably some of their typological characteristics are partially attributable to local raw materials, which consist of small, heavily rolled pebbles, although of excellent flint, seldom exceeding 10 cm in diameter.
While Thumbnail scrapers are virtually absent in the European Aurignacian with better raw material resources, they are rather common in the Pontinian Aurignacian.
Thumbnail scrapers boomed during the late Magdalenian and the late Epigravettian, both in Italy and the Balkans. They continue to be frequent during the Azilian and Federmesser ensembles. They remain important until the late Neolithic and even during the Bronze Age at some sites in N/W-Europe.
In East and South Africa Thumbnail scrapers are common during the LSA, beginning with Enkapune Ya Muto rockshelter, Kenya, dated 35 to 40 k.a BP.
In Asia scrapers of this type play a role during the late Paleolithic until the Neolithic and are also present at multiple sites during early Holocene in Australia.
The examples of this post show that stray finds of these tools can not be ascribed to a certain technocomplex. The thumbnail scrapers displayed here are from Wales and may belong to a Mesolithic /Neolithic horizon.
Resources and images in full resolution: