Tool use and production at the central European Mesolithic-Neolithic transition: a microscopic use wear study of the chipped stone artefacts from Arconciel/La Souche and Lutter/St-Joseph.
The transition to farming – the transition between the Mesolithic and Neolithic – is one of the most important and fascinating episodes in human history. Some even argue, it is the time when Homo sapiens went through their so far last major stage of cognitive evolution. In any case, the archaeological record shows that many, if not all, aspects of human life changed: economy, religious/symbolic behaviour, social organisation etc. This relatively gradual transition took place during a period lasting at least 1500 years. We researchers should avoid a chronologic, methodical and philosophical dichotomy in our research of the Mesolithic and Neolithic. Through microscopic use wear analysis (from now on UWA) of chipped stone artefacts and an evolutionary approach to chaîne opératoire this project aims to study the nature of artefact production and use during the 7th and early 6th millennium BC. This will lead to insights into the techno-economical and society during the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in the northern pre-alpine regions.
The main analytical sample comes from the site of Arconciel/La Souche, canton Fribourg, Switzerland and Lutter/St-Joseph, Haut-Rhine, France.
The project ahs seen some changes the past few months. it will now include a second PhD project, investigating the lithic technology at these two sites. I will update this and provide more information soon. So head back in a bit!
Marcel Cornelissen
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