The Lower Palaeolithic on the northern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula (Sierra de Atapuerca, Ambrona and La Maya I): a technological analysis of the cutting edge and weight of artefacts. Developing an hypothetical model

• Published in: Journal of archaeological science Vol. 39; no. 5; pp. 1467 - 1479
• Main Authors: Terradillos-Bernal, Marcos, Rodríguez, Xosé-Pedro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Cutting edge; Europe; Lithic industry; Lower and Middle palaeolithic; Lower Palaeolithic; Methodology and general studies; Northern plateau; Palaeolithic and mesolithic; Potential; Prehistory and protohistory; South West Europe; Technology; Typology, technology and attribute analysis; Weight; Lower Palaeolithic; Iberian Peninsula; Europe; Spain; Lower Palaeolithic; Potential; Technology; Cutting edge; Weight; Northern plateau; Lithic industry
• ISSN: 0305-4403; 1095-9238
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2011.12.037

This article analyses the relationship between the weight and cutting edge of lithic artefacts from the main Lower Palaeolithic sites on the northern plateau (Meseta) of the Iberian Peninsula. The weight and cutting edge of a tool determine its cutting ability and the amount of force it is capable of, making them extremely important aspects of study to further our understanding of the potential capacity for human intervention in the environment. However, the analysis of these features has not received much attention in the ongoing debate on the Palaeolithic era in Europe. This study argues that the quantitative and qualitative technological analysis of these two aspects is of fundamental importance in determining the potential of lithic assemblages. ► The analysis of weight and cutting edge is important in determining the potential of lithic sets. ► This article approaches the issue of the study of two inter-related features. ► This study is an hypothetical model that represent a starting referring point.