2020-03-20 09:52:54 • ID: 2165
An interesting Artifact from Les Cottés (Vienne, France)
This is a thick Flake from Les Cottés (Vienne, France)-see here: 1483 and here: 1492 (Presumably from the Aurignacian layers)-maybe used as a bec or as a percoir.
While the distal side of the artifact side is formed by coarse truncations–The adjacent side at a 75 degree angle accounts for a needle like working edge (Figure 1-3).
The piece is an exception from the rule, that Paleolithic European becs are usually made on blades- see here: 1097 and here: 1478 . Percoirs have a quite different Design
This brings me to another suggestion: Maybe this is an "ad hoc" tool, not classified in the "Sonneville-Bordes" list. Such tools are not rare during the Paleolithic - see examples from Abri Pataud here: 1619
Researchers have done a lot of work for a unified terminology of stone tools. But we should remember, that every type-list has its limitations.
The tool shown in this post is a good example for this flaws:
- Researchers often suppose, that a tool found during an excavation is the desired end-product
- Researchers often suppose, that "ideal" fossil directeurs of a class of specific tools exist. Every deviation from this ideal is quoted as "atypical" or falls under the "diverse" label
- There is only a loosely connection between the morphology of a stone tool and its function
- Image: 2020-03-23_pseudobec.jpg
- Image: 2020-03-23_pseud3.jpg
- Image: 2020-03-24_20200323_pseud.jpg
- Extern Link: www.persee.fr…bspf_0249-7638_1956_num_53_9_3374
- Extern Link: www.persee.fr…pal_1145-3370_1990_num_2_1_998
- Extern Link: gallica.bnf.fr…f30.image.texteImage
Of course Archeologist will have to continue to work with Type-lists and they are well aware of their many limitations.
A close look on the working edge in Figure 3 suggest, that the artifact was most probably used for awl like perforating purposes- but the even limited and, by the way- highly appealing patination of the brown local flint will make a microtraceological approach difficult or impossible.
Suggested Reading:
Pierre Laurent et al: Types d'outils lithiques du paléolithique supérieur en Europe; 2000. - the e–Book can be bought at Amazon with cheap money.
Provenance: Collection Perseke- later Heyermann (GER)
Resources and images in full resolution: