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Form and Function in the Lower Palaeolithic

Key, Alastair J. M. (2015) Form and Function in the Lower Palaeolithic. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis, University of Kent,. (doi:10.22024/UniKent/01.02.51063) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:51063)

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Language: English

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https://doi.org/10.22024/UniKent/01.02.51063

Abstract

The causes of morphological variation within Lower Palaeolithic stone tool assemblages have been subject to debate for decades. As a result of numerous explanatory hypotheses, it forms one of the most substantial areas of research within Palaeolithic archaeology. To date, however, very little research has ever been undertaken into the functional causes and consequences of Lower Palaeolithic stone tool form variation. Indeed, despite stone tools being functional objects tasked with the cutting and modification of aspects of the physical environment, previous researchers have preferentially sought to explain their morphology as a result of social, aesthetic, cultural, cognitive, reductive, and raw material influences. Here, this imbalance is addressed and the two principal technological components of the Lower Palaeolithic, ‘basic’ flakes and handaxes, are subject to a number of controlled, statistically robust, and archaeologically inferable experiments investigating relationships between variable tool-forms and functional performance characteristics. Results and subsequent discussion identify a number of important evolutionary, behavioural, and technological implications for Lower Palaeolithic hominins.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD))
Thesis advisor: Lycett, Stephen J.
DOI/Identification number: 10.22024/UniKent/01.02.51063
Additional information: The author of this thesis has requested that it be held under closed access. We are sorry but we will not be able to give you access or pass on any requests for access. 08/07/21
Uncontrolled keywords: Lower Palaeolithic Form Function Cutting Experiment
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Depositing User: Users 1 not found.
Date Deposited: 16 Oct 2015 15:00 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 10:59 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/51063 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Key, Alastair J. M..

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