Work

Edge Sharpness Does Not Vary Between Palaeolithic Flake Technologies, With the Possible Exception of Levallois Débitage

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Investigating why hominins adopted particular flake technologies during the Mid‐to‐Late Pleistocene is essential to understanding patterns of lithic innovation. This period witnessed the emergence of Levallois technologies (~350–250 ka) and later blades, each “replacing” earlier forms. While prior studies have emphasised technological efficiency and utility, comparative assessments of functional performance—particularly edge sharpness—are limited. The controlled cutting experiment conducted here broadly reveals no significant differences in sharpness between expedient, Levallois, blade and bladelet flakes; however, Levallois débitage displayed significantly blunter edges. These results suggest functional limitations to débitage and imply edge sharpness did not drive flake technological change.

Source: Archaeometry

DOI: 10.1111/arcm.70091

Authors: Anna Mika, Alastair Key

Institution: University of Cambridge

Language: English

Topic: Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology

Subfield: Anthropology

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,350

Funder: Arts and Humanities Research Council