Abstract: Assessment of radiocarbon measurements from the central Sudan provides the following calendrical age estimates:

Abstract: The Tapes transgression has distorted the archaeological record, especially in the Western Norwegian Mesolithic Period. The concept of two distinct archaeological units, the ‘Fosna culture’ and the ‘N⊘stvet culture’, is mainly based on a ‘false contrast’ in the archaeological material, created by the transgression. A three‐phase model, similar to the provisional chronological framework for South‐eastern Norway, is indicated by the analysis of traditional typological elements in 16 lithic assemblages, ca. 9500–6000 years B.P. The Fosna Tradition, older than ca. 9000 years B.P., is essentially unchanged from earlier descriptions. The Early Microblade Tradition, ca. 9000–7000 years B.P., is dominated by N⊘stvet elements, yet some Fosna elements are present. Blade cores and blades appear to be chronologically significant. The Late Microblade Tradition, ca. 7000–5200 years B.P., does not include Fosna elements. Abundant bipolar cores is an important characteristic. An independent analysis of blades and blade t...

Abstract: The author analyzes in this study the human skeleton found in the Azilian Grave of Los Azules Cave I (Asturias, NW of Spain), dated by C-14 between 7480 and 7590 B. C. It was diagnosed as an adult male, having a general strong robustness and high stature, as well as a congenital fusion of the right talus bones and, probably, bilateral claw foot. The comparison to the last Upper Paleolithic, the Epipaleolithic and the Mesolithic Human remains from Western Europe showed the similarity of Los Azules I Man to the robust Cromagnoids from these periods.

Abstract: This paper is a discussion of theory and methods used in intrasite spatial analysis - the analysis of "living floors". Processes in the formation of the archaeological record such as abandonment, discard, loss, and caching, are discussed. There is also some investigation into factors which may disturb or obscure patterning on an occupation site. Examples to illustrate the discussion are taken from analyses on settlement sites which date from the Mesolithic and Neolithic in primarily Denmark and Sweden.

Abstract: Assessment of radiocarbon measurements from the central Sudan provides the following calendrical age estimates:

Abstract: This dissertation is concerned with the analysis of selected blade assemblages from Late Devensian and Early Flandrian contexts in Southern Britain (c. 12,500 - 9,000 BP). The British sites studied are divided into three main groupings: Upper Palaeolithic , Long Blade , and Mesolithic , each of which contains material of a typologically and technologically distinct nature. Despite previous important studies in the British Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic, no major work until now has been undertaken on the third technology, that of the Long Blade sites, which seems to occupy a chronological position intermediate between the other two. The dissertation incorporates the first comprehensive description of material from Long Blade sites and contrasts it with the sets of artefacts from the other two groups. Comparative data from the Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic derive mainly from primary information recovered in two excavations directed by myself at Hengistbury Head between 1980-4. The chapters consider the archaeological material in chronological order beginning in Chapter 1 with the Late Upper Palaeolithic assemblage from Hengistbury Head. Chapters 2 and 3 are devoted to the Long Blade assemblages from Britain and Northwestern Europe, whilst in the fourth chapter the Early Mesolithic material from Hengistbury and related sites in Southern Britain is considered. The fifth and last chapter is given over to discussion and final conclusions. Appended to the last chapter is a gazetteer of 159 specified Long Blade findspots in Southern Britain, the first time this material has ever been gathered together. Explanatory notes and a key are provided at the front of the Gazetteer. In studying the artefacts I have laid particular emphasis on technology as well as typology, and in studying technology I have been particularly influenced by my own work on the experimental manufacture and use of implements. Given that my two excavated sites were very little disturbed, I have also been able to make major use of conjoining artefacts, not only as an aid to understanding the differing techniques of artefact manufacture, but also in interpreting the archaeology of the sites. Some use was also made of experimental taphonomy. These aspects of my work are referred to in the text, notably in Chapters 1 and 4.

Abstract: More than 50 skeletons have been found in Italy in Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic burials, most of them being of Pleistocene age. As for as Upper Palaeolithic is concerned, two distinct phases are recognized, with a gap in records between them of several millennia: 1) a first phase, in which rich burials, generally of adult or adolescent males, are found. Associated industries are of Gravettian — Early Epigravettian type. Strict rules are followed in funerary practices. Sites of this period are only a few in Italy, but most of them yelded burials; 2) a second phase, of late Wurm IV age, with burials found in several sites all over Italy, associated with Final Epigravettian industries. Women as well as children are now buried in single graves, but men still outnumber women. Grave goods are scarce or lacking, except at Arene Candide, where very rich burials, customarily attributed to Mesolithic, but actually of Dryas III age, were found. Truly Mesolithic sepultures are only a few, and burial goods are scarce or lacking.

Abstract: The skeletal sample from Grotta dell’Uzzo, Sicily (2 adult females and 5 adult males) was compared to a number of more representative population samples from Western Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. The majority of these were from Italian pre- and protohistoric sites. The research protocol analyzed skeletal indicators of labour activity and sexual division of labour (body size and proportions, sexual dimorphism, limb lateralization, bone robustness, the development of muscular attachments, accessory articular facets, signs of muscular hyperfunction). Sexual dimorphism and limb lateralization showed some regular patterns of possible general significance in all the samples examined here. A general pattern of gracilization and de-specialization of physical activity is observed in the Mesolithic as compared to the Upper Palaeolithic samples. The main features of the Mesolithic samples are: a reduction of body size and bone robustness, a lower degree of sexual dimorphism and limb bone asymmetry, a reduction of the mechanical stress on the lower limbs indicated by less pronounced muscular attachments and reduced talar flattening. This trend is reversed towards the Neolithic period. The main features of these variations are discussed in relation to economic and environmental changes. The Uzzo sample fits well into the general picture of the Western European Mesolithic, although showing some intermediate features between the Mesolithic and the Neolithic samples.

Abstract: Summary. Research conducted at the Balma Abeurador and a complex of related Epipalaeolithic and Mesolithic sites in the western Languedoc and eastern Pyrenees region of France (Abri de Dourgne, Grotte Gazel, Balma Margineda) reveals the complex processes of cultural and economic development during the early Holocene at a time of significant environmental change. Mesolithic groups expanded their subsistence base into a veritable “broad spectrum” economy including the hunting of large mammals, small game and birds; seasonal fishing for salmonids; collecting terrestrial and marine molluscs; and the gathering of wild legumes, fruits and nuts. The identification at Abeurador of lentils, peas and chick peas morphologically indistinguishable from the early cultigens of Southwest Asia raises the question of incipient cultivation practices in the west Mediterranean as early as 10,000 b.p.