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A technological crossroads: Exploring diversity in the pressure blade technology of Mesolithic Latvia
Author(s) -
Damlien Hege,
BergHansen Inger Marie,
Zagorska Ilga,
Kalniņš Mārcis,
Nielsen Svein V.,
Koxvold Lucia U.,
Bērziņš Valdis,
Schülke Almut
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
oxford journal of archaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1468-0092
pISSN - 0262-5253
DOI - 10.1111/ojoa.12139
Subject(s) - mesolithic , lithic technology , blade (archaeology) , knapping , archaeology , prehistory , stone tool , debitage , geography , stone age , craft
Summary A long‐standing debate in archaeology concerns the sources of technological diversification among prehistoric hunter‐gatherers. This includes the study of the emergence and spread of pressure blade technology in Northern Europe during the Early Holocene. Until now, there has been little technological study of lithic collections from the East Baltic region, and our knowledge of the development and spread of this technology in the area is inadequate. This article presents for the first time a technological analysis of lithic assemblages from seven Early and Middle Mesolithic sites in the territory of present‐day Latvia, offering new possibilities for discussing pressure blade technology and research objectives connected with it. Furthermore, variation in elements of this technology is explored in relation to raw‐material characteristics through experimental flint knapping. Finally, the factors influencing diversity in craft traditions, as well as large‐scale communication and shifting spheres of interaction within Northern Europe during the Mesolithic, are discussed.