Aurignacian Lithic Economy: Ecological Perspectives from Southwestern France

by Brooke S. Blades, Harold Dibble (Foreword by)

Overview

Drawing data from a classic region for Paleolithic research in Europe, this book explores how early modern humans obtained lithic raw materials and analyzes the different utilization patterns for locally available materials compared with those from a greater distance. The author locates these patterns within an ecological context and argues that early modern humans selected specific mobility strategies to accommodate changes in subsistence environments.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441933379
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	12/06/2010
Series:	Interdisciplinary Contributions to Archaeology
Edition description:	2002
Pages:	211
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.24(d)

Table of Contents

Environment, Technology, and Mobility.- The Aurignacian: Systematics, Geochronology, and Paleoenvironment.- Lithic Raw Material Studies in the Périgord.- An Analysis of Lithic Economy.- Aurignacian Lithic Raw Material Economy.- Lithic Economy and Aurignacian Mobility Strategies.

Editorial Reviews

In this carefully constructed study, Blades (Lehigh U., Bethlehem, Penn.) analyzes the stone remains from the well-known archaeological sites in order to assess the extent of the Paleolithic geographic realm by examining the technological stages in which stones from differing sources appeared. Following a lengthy exposition of the data derived from the lithic raw material economy, faunal remains, geochronological determinations, and paleoenvironmental indicators, Blades draws conclusions regarding the shifting mobility strategies of the Paleolithic inhabitants of the region. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

‘...this work has a lot to recommend it. It benefits from clear organization, a generally explicit exposition of approach, data and results, and a cogent synopsis of relevant environmental data. ...Blades' study has provided a useful theoretical framework through which to consider Paleolithic cultural groups, as well as data that can be employed for further testing. This is a welcome addition to the ever-expanding literature in the Western European Upper Paleolithic.'
Lithic Technology, 27:I
‘Works on stone tools are often dry and rather uninspiring in the face of such enormous expectations, but by placing the lithics into a broader ladnscape and ecological context, this work makes a better read than most.'
Antiquity, 75:289

From the Publisher