The Sauveterrian between southern France and northeastern Italy: unity and variability of the lithic technical systems
Il sauveterriano tra Francia meridional e Italia nord-orientale : unitarieta e variabilità dei sistemi tecnici litici
Résumé
The Sauveterrian represents one of the main cultural aspects of the Early Mesolithic in Europe. Its recognition in southern France by L. Coulonge dates back to the beginning of last century. During the 1970s it was also identified in northeastern Italy (Adige Valley) by A. Broglio and some years later in Tuscany. In spite of these early attributions only a few works – essentially applying a typological approach – have attempted to compare the lithic complexes from northern Italy and southern France.By applying a techno-economic analysis to a broad set of assemblages distributed across northern Italy and southern France, a synthesis of Sauveterrian lithic technical systems has been attempted. This has made it possible to identify the general objectives of debitage and the reduction sequences applied by Sauveterrian groups along with some broad evolutionary trends over time. According to this technological perspective the same conceptual schemes are attested in the two regions. Incidentally, certain specific traits – both stylistic and technical – have also been recognized, especially in the production of microliths, which are possibly related to regional adaptations. The key to the success of the Sauveterrian lithic technical systems, which also permitted extensive occupation of the entire territory considered, is recognized here in all its versatility.
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