Geometric projectiles of the second Mesolithic of Montclus rock shelter (Gard, France): change of shape, change of function?
Résumé
In southern France, during the 6th millennium cal. BC, the spread of blade and trapeze industries ended high stability of the technical and economic choices of first Mesolithic (Sauveterrian) groups. With the second Mesolithic, the lithic sub-system is substantially modified. This technological break is studied by means of a new techno-functional analysis carried out on the lithic industries of Baume de Montclus rock shelter (Gard, France) which offers a significant stratigraphic sequence covering the whole Mesolithic (Montclusian and Castelnovian). In this papers, we present some results of tipological and functional analysis of geometrical microliths which are profoundly renewed (chaînes opératoires, design and use) with regard to the Sauveterrian, but also we discuss their evolution in Castelnovian assemblage, new morphometric characteristics and diversification (symmetrical trapezes then various types of asymmetrical trapezes) with changing function