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

Year 2019, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 1 - 19, 03.07.2019

Ece Eren Steven L. Kuhn

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

• 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.