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'Maier A, 2020: On the morphology, chronology, and phylogeny of triangular lithic insets between 20 and 14 ka calBP
in Western and Central Europe. Anthropologie (Brno) 58, 2-3: 167-190'. |
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| Abstract | | There is a long-standing debate about triangular lithic implements – particularly those referred to as
scalene bladelets and scalene triangles – occurring in Western and Central European assemblages roughly between
20 and 14 ka calBP. By and large, the debate revolves around three key questions, namely the morphological
distinctiveness, chronological significance, and phylogenetic relation of these two groups of objects. Within this triangle
of dissent, most discrepancies seem to spring from an amalgamation of inappropriate analytical categories, poor
chronological control, and untested assumptions on the evolution of material culture. This paper reviews the available
evidence from assemblages with triangular lithic implements to strengthen their morphological distinction, sharpen
the chronological resolution, and test ideas about the cultural evolution of triangular lithic insets during the period in
question. It is found that scalene bladelets predominantly occur between 19 and 16 ka calBP. There also seems to be
a microlithic variant occurring between 16 and 15.5 ka calBP. Scalene triangles, on the other hand, seem to be much
more chronologically restricted and to have been in us for a rather short period of time at around 16 ka calBP. Scalene
triangles are found to be most likely phylogenetically unrelated to scalene bladelets. While the former probably served
as lateral insets, the latter seem to be more convincingly interpreted as frontal insets. As such, they can be seen as a variant of shouldered points, which bridges the gap between the shouldered points of the Badegoulian and early
Upper Magdalenian. | | | | Keywords | | Scalene bladelets – Scalene triangles – Shouldered points – Radiocarbon dates – Phylogenetic relation | | | | DOI | | https://doi.org/10.26720/anthro.20.03.30.1 | | |
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