Flaked Stone Discs of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic Periods in the Southern Levant

Abstract

This paper presents a detailed study of a unique groundstone (henceforth-stone) tool — the flaked stone disc. The study presents the result of an attribute analysis conducted on 703 flaked discs found in stratified contexts during excavations and as surface finds, all from sites in northern Israel. The discs are described in detail and some provisional suggestions regarding their function are discussed.

Early Specialized Production? A Chalcolithic Stone Bracelet Workshop at Kanlitaş, Turkey

“…The discovery of a large number (nearly 100) of these artefacts in a single location at Çayönü (Davis 1982, 119) may be indicative of either 'mass' production or storage in preparation for further working. The examples of 'blanks' for the production of sandstone rings found at Ba'ja are very similar to those described as discs by Rosenberg et al (2008;compare Rosenberg et al 2008, 141, fig. 3 andGebel andBienert 1997, 255, fig.…”

“…The examples of ‘blanks’ for the production of sandstone rings found at Ba'ja are very similar to those described as discs by Rosenberg et al . (; compare Rosenberg et al . , 141, fig.…”

“…While the manufacture of stone bracelets and rings is known to have been widespread during the Neolithic in Anatolia and the Near and Middle East (Starck 1988, 145), another phenomenon, possibly related to this industry, was the manufacture by flaking of stone discs. These occur in the Neolithic and probably continue through the Chalcolithic over an approximately similar geographical area (Rosenberg et al 2008). The materials from which these discs were manufactured, and the technology that was used, show a strong correlation with the earlier stages in the chaîne opératoire of the stone bracelet industries of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, and the bracelet blanks found at Kanlıtaş.…”

“…3.13, 12–13), Beisamoun and Nahal Zehora I and II (Rosenberg et al . , 140–4), and these examples fall into a similar size category, with consistency in raw material selection. The discovery of a large number (nearly 100) of these artefacts in a single location at Çayönü (Davis , 119) may be indicative of either ‘mass’ production or storage in preparation for further working.…”

“…These occur in the Neolithic and probably continue through the Chalcolithic over an approximately similar geographical area (Rosenberg et al . ). The materials from which these discs were manufactured, and the technology that was used, show a strong correlation with the earlier stages in the chaîne opératoire of the stone bracelet industries of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, and the bracelet blanks found at Kanlıtaş.…”