Microlith

A microlith is a small stone tool usually made of flint or chert and typically a
centimetre or so in length and half a centimetre wide. They were made by humans
from around 35,000 to 3,000 years ago, across Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.
The microliths were used in spear points andarrowheads.

Microliths are produced from either a small blade (microblade) or a larger blade-like
piece of flint by abrupt or truncated retouching, which leaves a very typical piece of
waste, called a microburin. The microliths themselves are sufficiently worked so as
to be distinguishable from workshop waste or accidents.

Two families of microliths are usually defined: laminar and geometric. An

assemblage of microliths can be used to date an archeological site. Laminar
microliths are associated with the end of the Upper Paleolithic and the beginning of
the Epipaleolithic era; geometric microliths are characteristic of the Mesolithic and
the Neolithic. Geometric microliths may be triangular, trapezoid or lunate. Microlith
production generally declined following the introduction of agriculture (8000 BCE)
Backed edge bladelet
but continued later in cultures with a deeply rooted hunting tradition.

Regardless of type, microliths were used to form the points of hunting weapons,
such as spears and (in later periods) arrows, and other artifacts and are found throughout Africa, Asia and Europe. They were utilised
with wood, bone, resin and fiber to form a composite tool or weapon, and traces of wood to which microliths were attached have
been found in Sweden, Denmark and England. An average of between six and eighteen microliths may often have been used in one
spear or harpoon, but only one or two in an arrow
.

Contents
Types of microlith
Laminar and non-geometric microliths
Truncated blade
Backed edge blades
Micro points
Geometric microliths
Microburin technique

Weapons and tools

Discoveries
France
Scandinavia
England
India
Dating
References
External links

Types of microlith
Laminar and non-geometric microliths
Laminar microliths date from at least the Gravettian culture or possibly the start of the Upper Paleolithic era, and they are found all
through the Mesolithic and Neolithic eras. "Noailles" burins and micro-gravettes indicate that the production of microliths had
already started in the Gravettian culture.[1] This style of flint working flourished during the Magdalenian period and persisted in
numerous Epipaleolithic traditions all around the Mediterranean basin. These microliths are slightly larger than the geometric
microliths that followed and were made from the flakes of flint obtained ad hoc from a small nucleus or from a depleted nucleus of
flint. They were produced either by percussion or by the application of a variable pressure (although pressure is the best option, this
[2]
method of producing microliths is complicated and was not the most commonly used technique).

Truncated blade
There are three basic types of laminar microlith. The truncated blade type can be divided into a number of sub-types depending on
the position of the truncation (for example, oblique, square or double) and according to its form, for example, concave or convex.
"Raclette scrapers" are notable for their particular form, being blades or flakes whose edges have been sharply retouched until they
are semicircular or even shapeless. Raclettes are indefinite cultural indicators, as they appear from the Upper Paleolithic through to
the Neolithic.

Flint blade Truncated bladelet Backed edge bladelet Dufour bladelet

Backed edge blades

Backed edge blades have one of the edges, generally a side one, rounded or chamfered by abrupt retouching. There are fewer types of
these blades, and may be divided into those where the entire edge is rounded and those where only a part is rounded, or even straight.
They are fundamental in the blade-forming processes, and from them, innumerable other types were developed.[3] Dufour bladelets
are up to three centimeters in length, finely shaped with a curved profile whose retouches are semi-abrupt and which characterize a
particular phase of the Aurignacian period. Solutrean backed edge blades display pronounced and abrupt retouching, so that they are
long and narrow and, although rare, characterize certain phases of the Solutrean period. Ouchtata bladelets are similar to the others,
except that the retouched back is not uniform but irregular; this type of microlith characterizes certain periods of the Epipaleolithic
Saharans. The Ibero-Maurusian and the Montbani bladelet, with a partial and irregular lateral retouching, is characteristic of the
Italian Tardenoisian.[4]

Micro points
These are very sharp bladelets formed by abrupt retouching. There are a huge number of regional varieties of these microliths, nearly
all of which are very hard to distinguish (especially those from the western area) without knowing the archaeological context in
which they appear. The following is a small selection. Omitted are the foliaceous tips (also called leafed tips), which are characterized
[5]
by a covering retouch and which constitute a group apart.

The Châtelperrón point is not a true microlith, although it is close to the required dimensions. Its antiquity and its
short, curved blade edge make it the antecedent of many laminar microliths.
The Micro-gravette or Gravette micro point is a microlith version of theGravette point and is a narrow bladelet with
an abrupt retouch, which gives it a characteristically sharp edge when compared to other types.
 The Azilian point links the Magdalenian microlith points with those from the westernEpipaleolithic. They can be
identified by a rough and invasive retouching.
The Ahrensburgian point is also a peripheral paleolithic or western Epipaleolithic piece, but with a more specific
morphology, as it is formed on a blade (not on a bladelet), is obliquely truncated and has a small tongue that possibly
served as a haft on a spear point.
The next group contains a number of points from theMiddle East characterized as cultural markers.

The Emireh point from the Upper Paleolithic is almost the same as one found in Châtelperrón, which is likely to be
contemporary, although they are slightly shorter and also appear to be fashioned from a blade and not a bladelet.
The El-Wad point is from the end of the Upper Paleolithic from the same area, made from a very long, thin bladelet.
The El-Khiam point has been identified by the Spanish archeologist González Echegaray in Protoneolithic sites in
[6]
Jordan. They are little known but easy to identify by two basal notches, doubtless used as a haft.

Châtelperrón points Micro-gravette Azilian point Ahrensburguien point

Emireh point El-Wad point El-Khiam point Adelaide point

The Adelaide point is found in Australia. Its construction, based on truncations on a blade, has a nearly trapezoidal form. The
Adelaide point emphasizes the range of variation in both time and culture of the laminar microliths; it also shows their technological
differences, but sometimes morphological similarities, with geometric microliths. Laminar microliths can also sometimes be
described as trapezoidal, triangular or lunate.[7] However, as we will see below, they are distinct from the geometric microliths
because of the strokes used in the manufacture of geometric microliths, which mainly involved the
microburin technique.

Geometric microliths
Geometric microliths are a clearly defined type of stone tool, at least in their basic forms. They can be divided into trapezoid,
triangular and lunate (half-moon) forms, although there are many subdivisions of each of these types. A microburin is included
among the illustrations below because, although it is not a geometrical microlith (or even a tool),[8] it is now seen as a characteristic
waste product from the manufacture of these geometric microliths:
 Microburin Trapeze Triangle Lunate

Geometric microliths, though rare, are present as trapezoids in Northwest Africa in the Iberomaurusian. They later appear in Europe
in the Magdalenian[9] initially as elongated triangles and later as trapezoids (although the microburin technique is seen from the
Perigordian), they are mostly seen during the Epipaleolithic and the Neolithic. They remained in existence even into the Copper Age
and Bronze Age, competing with "leafed" and then metallic arrowheads.

Microburin technique
All the currently known geometric microliths share the same fundamental characteristics – only their shapes vary. They were all
made from blades or from microblades (nearly always of flint), using the microburin technique (which implies that it is not possible
to conserve the remains of the heel or the conchoidal flakes from the blank). The pieces were then finished by a percussive
retouching of the edges (generally leaving one side with the natural edge of the blank), giving the piece its definitive polygonal form.
For example, in order to make a triangle, two adjacent notches were retouched, leaving free the third edge or base[3] (using the
terminology of Fortea). They generally have one long axis and concave or convex edges, and it is possible for them to have a
gibbosity (hump) or indentations. Triangular microliths may be isosceles, scalene or equilateral. In the case of trapezoid geometric
microliths, on the other hand, the notches are not retouched, leaving a portion of the natural edge between them. Trapezoids can be
further subdivided into symmetrical, asymmetrical and those with concave edges. Lunate microliths have the least diversity of all and
may be either semicircular orsegmental.

Archeological findings and the analysis of wear marks, or use-wear analysis, has shown that, predictably, the tips of spears, harpoons
and other light projectiles of varying size received the most wear. Microliths were also used from the Neolithic on arrows, although a
decline in this use coincided with the appearance of bifacial or "leafed" arrowheads that became widespread in the Chalcolithic
period, or Copper Age (that is, stone arrowheads were increasingly made by a dif
ferent technique during this later period).

Weapons and tools

Not all the different types of laminar microliths had functions that are clearly understood. It is likely that they contributed to the
[10][11]
points of spears or light projectiles, and their small size suggests that they were fixed in some way to a shaft or handle.

Backed edge bladelets are particularly abundant at a site in France that preserves habitation from the late Magdalenian – the
Pincevent. In the remains of some of the hearths at this location, bladelets are found in groups of three, perhaps indicating that they
were mounted in threes on their handles. A javelin tip made of horn has been found at this site with grooves made for flint bladelets
that could have been secured using a resinous substance. Signs of much wear and tear have been found on some of these finds.

Specialists have carried out lithic or microwear analysis on artefacts, but it has sometimes proved difficult to distinguish those
fractures made during the process of fashioning the flint implement from those made during its use. Microliths found at Hengistbury
Head in Dorset, England, show features that can be confused with chisel marks, but which might also have been produced when the
tip hit a hard object and splintered.[12] Microliths from other locations have presented the same problems of interpretation.
[13]

An exceptional piece of evidence for the use of microliths has been found in the excavations of the cave at Lascaux in the French
Dordogne. Twenty backed edge bladelets were found with the remains of a resinous substance and the imprint of a circular handle (a
horn). It appears that the bladelets might have been fixed in groups like the teeth of harpoon
a or similar weapon.
The most widely accepted hypothesis is that geometric microliths were used on projectiles such as this harpoon.
 Trapezoid microliths and arrow with a trapezeused to strengthen the tip, found in a peat bog at Tværmose
(Denmark)

In all these locations, the microliths found have been backed edge blades, tips and crude flakes. Despite the great number of
geometric microliths that have been found in Western Europe, few examples show any clear evidence of their use, and all the
examples are from the Mesolithic or Neolithic periods. Despite this, there is unanimity amongst researchers that these items were
used to increase the penetrating potential of light projectiles such asharpoons, assegais, javelins and arrows.

Discoveries

France
In France, one unusual find stands out: in the Mesolithic cemetery of Téviec, in
Morbihan, one of the skeletons that has been found has a geometric microlith lodged
in one of its vertebra. All indications suggest that the person died because of this
projectile; whether by intention or by accident is unknown. It is widely agreed that
geometric microliths were mainly used in hunting and fishing, but they may also
have been used as weapons.[14]

Scandinavia Two skeletons in the Tomb of Téviec

Well-preserved examples of arrows with microliths in Scandinavia have been found at Loshult, at Osby in Sweden, and Tværmose, at
Vinderup in Denmark. These finds, which have been preserved practically intact due to the special conditions of the peat bogs, have
included wooden arrows with microliths attached to the tip by resinous substances and cords.

England
There are many examples of possible tools from Mesolithic deposits in England. Possibly the best known is a microlith from Star
Carr in Yorkshire that retains residues of resin, probably used to fix it to the tip of a projectile. Recent excavations have found other
examples. Archeologists at the Risby Warren V site in Lincolnshire have uncovered a row of eight triangular microliths that are
equidistantly aligned along a dark stain indicating organic remains (possibly the wood from an arrow shaft). Another clear indication
is from the Readycon Dene site inWest Yorkshire, where 35 microliths appear to be associated with a single projectile. In Urra Moor,
North Yorkshire, 25 microliths give the appearance of being related to one another, due to the extreme regularity and symmetry of
their arrangement in the ground.[15]

The study of English and European artifacts in general has revealed that projectiles were made with a widely variable number of
microliths: in Tværmose there was only one, in Loshult there were two (one for the tip and the other as a fin),[16] in White Hassocks,
in West Yorkshire, more than 40 have been found together; theaverage is between 6 and 18 pieces for each projectile.[15]

India
Early research regard the microlithic industry in India as a Holocene phenomenon, however a new research provides solid data to put
the South Asia microliths industry up to 35 ka across whole South Asia subcontinent. This new research also synthesizes the data
from genetic, paleoenvironmental and archaeological research, and proposes that the emergence of microlith in India subcontinent
[17][18]
could reflect the increase of population and adaptation of environmental deterioration.

Dating
Laminar microliths are common artifacts from the Upper Paleolithic and the
Epipaleolithic, to such a degree that numerous studies have used them as markers to
date different phases of prehistoric cultures.

Crystal spear tips, ca. 8000–7000

During the Epipaleolithic and the Mesolithic, the presence of laminar or geometric
BCE, on display at Sion History
microliths serves to date the deposits of different cultural traditions. For instance, in
museum
the Atlas Mountains of northwest Africa, the end of the Upper Paleolithic period
coincides with the end of the Aterian tradition of producing laminar microliths, and
deposits can be dated by the presence or absence of these artifacts. In the Near East, the laminar microliths of the Kebarian culture
were superseded by the geometric microliths of the Natufian tradition a little more than 11,000 years ago. This pattern is repeated
[3][19]
throughout the Mediterranean basin and across Europe in general.

A similar thing is found in England, where the preponderance of elongated microliths, as opposed to other frequently occurring
forms, has permitted the Mesolithic to be separated into two phases: the Earlier Mesolithic of about 8300–6700 BCE, or the ancient
and laminar Mesolithic, and the Later Mesolithic, or the recent and geometric Mesolithic. Deposits can be thus dated based upon the
assemblage of artifacts found.[20]

References
1. Piel-Desruisseaux, Jean-Luc (1986).Outils préhistoriques. Forme. Fabrication. Utilisation
. Masson, Paris. ISBN 2-
225-80847-3. (pages 147–9)
2. Pelegrin, Jacques (1988). "Débitage expérimental par pression. Du plus petit au plus grand". Journée d'études
technologiques en Préhistoire (Notes et monographies techniques, nº 25).echnologie
T préhistorique.ISBN 2-222-
04235-6. (pages 37–53)
 3. Fortea Pérez; Francisco Javier (1973).Los complejos microlaminares y geométricos del Epipaleolítico mediterráneo
español. Universidad de Salamanca. ISBN 84-600-5678-3.
4. Brézillon, Michel (1971).La dénomination des objets de pierre taillée. París: Editions du CNRS. pages 263–7.
5. Brézillon, Michel (1971).La dénomination des objets de pierre taillée. París: Editions du CNRS. pages 292–340.
6. González Echegaray, J. (1964). Excavaciones en la terraza de El Khiam (Jordania)
. Bibliotheca Praehistorica
Hispana.
7. Geometric shapes, as we have seen, are present in many laminar microliths: for example the Dufour bladelet is an
elongated lunate shape, theEl-Emireh point is a triangle and the Adelaide point is a trapeze, the El-Wad point is
spindle shaped; and there are many other examples.
8. Some of the earlier researchers, such as OctobonOctobon, E. (1920). "La question tardenoisienne. Montbani".
Revue Anthropologique. page 107.), Peyrony and Noone (Peyrony, D. y Noone H. V. V. (1938). "Usage possible des
microburins". 2 (numéro 3). Bulletin de la Société Préhistorique Française. , believed that these microburins had a
useful function. Currently it has been demonstrated that these microburins did not have a function, at least not
intentionally, although it cannot be ruled out ht at they were not reused at some point.
9. Bordes, F. y Fitte, P. (1964). "Microlithes du Magdalénien supérieur de la Gare de Gouze (Dordogne)".Miscelánea
en homenaje al Abate Henri Breuil. Vol. I. Barcelona. page 264.
10. Laming-Emperaire, Annette (1980). "Los cazadores depredadores del posglacial y del Mesolítico".
La Prehistoria.
Editorial Labor, Barcelona. ISBN 84-335-9309-9. (page 68)
11. Piel-Desruisseaux, Jean-Luc (1986).Outils préhistoriques. Forme. Fabrication. Utilisation
. Masson, Paris. ISBN 2-
225-80847-3. (pages 123-127)
12. Barton, R. N. E. y Bergman, C. A. (1982). "Hunters at Hengistbury: some evidence from experimental archaeology".
14 (Number 2). World Archaeology. ISSN 0043-8243 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0043-8243).
13. M. Lenoir has found knapping similar to that used in chiseled bladelets from
Gironde, but considered this to be a
coincidence and attributed the marks to the fact that the microliths were mounted on the tip of a projectile. A similar
line of enquiry has also been followed by Lawrence H. Keeley , who has studied a wide range of bladelets from the
French site at Buisson Campin, in Verberie, Oise.
14. Piel-Desruisseaux, Jean-Luc (1986).Outils préhistoriques. Forme. Fabrication. Utilisation
. Masson, Paris. ISBN 2-
225-80847-3. (pages 147-149)
15. Myers, Andrew (1989). "Reliable and mantainable technological strategies in the Mesolithic of mainland Britain".
Time, energy and stone tools: New directions in Archaeology (edited by Robinorrence).
T Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press. pp. 78–91.ISBN 0-521-25350-0.
16. Petersson, M. (1951). Microlithen als Pfeilspitzen. Ein Fund aus dem Lilla-Loshult Moor: Ksp. Loshult, Skane
.
Meddelanden fram Lunds Universitets. Historika Museum. (Pagies 123–37).
17. Petraglia; et al. (2009). "Population increase and environmental deterioration correspond with microlithic innovations
in South Asia ca. 35,000 years ago"(http://pubman.mpdl.mpg.de/pubman/item/escidoc:2243596/component/escido
c:2246725/shh291.pdf)(PDF). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . 106 (30): 12261–12266.
doi:10.1073/pnas.0810842106(https://doi.org/10.1073%2Fpnas.0810842106) . PMC 2718386 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.
nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2718386). PMID 19620737 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19620737).
18. Malik, S. C. (1966). "The Late Stone Age Industries from Excavated Sites in Gujarat, India".
Artibus Asiae. JSTOR.
28 (2/3): 162. doi:10.2307/3249352 (https://doi.org/10.2307%2F3249352).
19. Professor Fortea has been able to distinguish two traditions in the Epipaleolithic period based in the Spanish
Mediterranean , the "Microlaminar Complex" (with three separate phases: that of Sant Grégori de Falset, that based
on the Cova de Les Mallaetes inValencia and that of the Epigravettian) and the "Geometric Complex" (with two
phases: the Filador and the Cocina, which receive their names from caves located on the eastern coast of Spain).
20. Myers, Andrew (1989). "Reliable and mantainable technological strategies in the Mesolithic of mainland Britain".
Time, energy and stone tools: New directions in Archaeology (edited by Robinorrence).
T Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press. p. 78.ISBN 0-521-25350-0. The same author has suggested that the geometric microliths may
replace one or two rows of teeth in the bone harpoons commonly found in the Upper Paleolithic at the end of the
Upper Magdalanian (page 84).

External links
Media related to Microliths at Wikimedia Commons
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