Morphological and functional variation in points from the Ahmarian layers at Üçağızlı Cave, Turkey

Abstract

Technological analyzes of stone tools expands our understanding of behavior and hunting strategies of Pleistocene humans. Studies of the functions of the points demonstrate that points provided significant advantages for prehistoric hunters by keeping the prey at a distance, reducing the likelihood of injury, and/or increasing the range of potential prey (Sahle et al., 2013). This paper provides information about variation on the forms and functions of pointed artifacts from the Ahmarian layers at Üçağızlı Cave, Turkey. Attributes recorded include point types, impact scars, basal modification, notching, overall shapes, and retouch types, as well as dimension of the artifacts. These attributes of the points were compared with the Ahmarian layers to determine whether there were changes in the use of points during the Ahmarian period at Üçağızlı Cave. The results indicated that the dominant point type was the Ksar ‘Akil point. In all, 24,5% of these artifacts showed flute-like impact scars on their distal ends, but a majority of the points showed basal modification on the proximal end. Also, 16% of the points demonstrated both notching and basal modifications, something not observed previously on Ahmarian points in the Levant. These findings lead us to conclude that points with impact scars, basal modification and notching could have been used as projectile points at Üçağızlı Cave during the Ahmarian period. Additionally, the comparisons between the layers and attributes of the points demonstrated no significant changes in the shapes and uses of points across the Ahmarian layers at Üçağızlı Cave.

Keywords

• Üçağızlı Cave,Ahmarian,impact scars,basal modification

References

1. Azoury I. (1986) Ksar ‘Akil, Lebanon. A Technological and Typological Analysis of the Transitional and Early Upper Paleolithic Levels of Ksar ‘Akil and Abu Halka. In BAR International Series, 289. British Archaeological Reports, Oxford.