Between the flake and the blade: Associated systems of production at Riparo Tagliente (Veneto, northern Italy)

Abstract

Abstract:The Riparo Tagliente site (Verona, Italy) shows three macro phases in which high technological variability can be observed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the specific role of the Middle Paleolithic blade production within this variability. Preliminary results show a complex scenario in which the role of the blade is strictly linked with flake production through mixed reduction systems.Two different approaches were used for analysing the lithic assemblages from the site. The first analysis focused on the identification of the reduction systems by determining the techniques, methods and concepts underlying the entire chaîne opératoire. The second approach concentrated on analysing blade production in order to identify its variability.Evidence of blade technology from the Middle Pleistocene (MIS 8-6) has been found in northern Europe (France, Belgium). Later, during MIS 5 blades can be found over a larger area, this time also including north-western Germany and the central-southern part of France. A third period (MIS 4-3) marks the appearance of laminar production in southern Europe, including in the Italian peninsula. Based on the present state of research these three phases appear to be on-and-off events without clear evolutionary continuity.By repositioning the sequence of Riparo Tagliente within the Italian context we can observe that at the end of the Mousterian period the technological patterns differ greatly, with laminar production being one of its most evident expressions. The origin of this fragmentation is questionable.

Lashed by the wind: short-term Middle Palaeolithic occupations within the loess-palaeosoil sequence at Monte Netto (Northern Italy)

“…Similarly, along the Mousterian sequence of Riparo Tagliente, the adoption of different technical systems (unidirectional Levallois and unidirectional volumetric) is attested to obtain laminar blanks with different morpho-technical features. However, the blades are a non-exclusive and sometimes secondary objective in these occupations (Carmignani, 2017). Similarities are reported with other sites in the subalpine region dated to MIS3 such as Grotta San Bernardino Cave (Unit II) and the loessic contexts of the Northern Apennine margin (Cremaschi et al, 2010(Cremaschi et al, , 2015Delpiano and Garbasi, 2016) whose OSL dates, on the basis of preliminary investigations, would be consistent or slightly older than Monte Netto ones.…”

“…Clearer similarities emerge beyond regional boundaries, particularly with the final Middle Palaeolithic investigated in the nearby Veneto region. Just 60 km away opens the aforementioned cavity of Fumane Cave, whose sequence contains similar occupational layers (A5-A6 and A10) with respect to chronology and technical systems and objectives (Higham et al, 2009;Peresani et al, 2008Peresani et al, , 20132017). The Levallois reduction method in its recurrent unidirectional modality is here prevailing, with a substantial presence of Levallois blades and laminar flakes.…”

Lithic techno-complexes in Italy from 50 to 39 thousand years BP: An overview of lithic technological changes across the Middle-Upper Palaeolithic boundary

“…Laminar and occasionally lamellar production in some assemblages at the end of the Middle Paleolithic is a trend registered in Italy (e.g. Peresani, 2012;Gennai, 2016;Carmignani, 2017Carmignani, , 2018Marciani, 2018) (Fig. 10) and elsewhere in Europe (e.g.…”

The use of blades and pointed tools during middle palaeolithic, the example of Riparo Tagliente (VR)

“…The excavation of the Mousterian levels allowed the recovery of lithic artefacts and faunal remains referable to many different occupations; in the upper layers of the Mousterian sequence (layers 34 to 37), the human occupations seem to be more intense (Bartolomei et al, 1982). This hypothesis is supported by lithic technology (Arzarello, 2003;Arzarello and Peretto, 2005;Carmignani, 2017), archaeozoology and palaeontology studies (Thun Hohenstein and Peretto, 2005;Thun Hohenstein, 2006). The aim of this research is to understand Neanderthals' behaviour during the phases documented in the upper levels of the Mousterian sequences of Riparo Tagliente through the use-wear analysis of the lithic assemblage, in order to obtain results comparable to the ones obtained in similar published studies (e.g.…”