Flint sickle blades are traditionally considered significant hallmarks of the late prehistoric and early historic periods. Their morpho-typological transformations over time have been differently interpreted, but the idea that each sickle type would have been substituted by the following because of more effectiveness, permitting development and intensification of agricultural practices, is still dominant. Without denying the importance of these functional considerations, another perspective for understanding technological change is to consider the entire process of sickle manufacture, the spatial and temporal organization of technical activities, methods and techniques implied in the manufacturing processes, and knowledge and skill required for production. Using all these parameters, changes in the production of sickles in the age of metals, from the Chalcolithic to the Iron Age, can be perceived not simply as reflection of technological progress but rather as the result of complex historical phenomena involving the social, economic, and cultural structures of ancient societies.
Pebble stone installations are commonly found at various Early Bronze Age sites in the southern Levant. However, their function is often assumed or unknown. Thirteen circular pebble installations were found scattered throughout a residential neighbourhood dating to the Early Bronze Age III at Tell es-Safi/Gath. Five such installations were recently studied by implementing an integrated micro-archaeological approach by which all micro- and macro-artefacts were analysed using various analytical techniques. Based on the analysis of ash-micro remains identified in the sediments, associated plant remains, flint and pottery, we suggest that these installations were used for food-processing, cooking and/or other domestic low-heat tasks. The installations first appear at Tell es-Safi/Gath during the Early Bronze Age III, and seem to disappear during later periods. The functional roles of these installations are discussed in comparison to finds from other Early Bronze Age sites, and of other food preparation traditions known from other periods and cultures
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