A GRAVETTIAN KNAPPING WORKSHOP AT TERCIS (LANDES).
a probable case of apprenticeship in the fabrication of lithic weapon tips

Aurélien SIMONET

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Abstract

The site of Tercis, in the Adour Basin, contains several distinct artefact concentrations. It consists of a vast open-air knapping workshop where the production of lithic weapon tips in Tercis flint was a significant activity. Some of the lithic concentrations can be attributed to the Gravettian culture. However, the degree of technical investment varies from assemblage to assemblage, contrasting this probable cultural unity. This paper presents a study of the apprenticeship process revealed by these assemblages in order to stress the high degree of technical investment devoted to projectile tips, and consequently, their significant role in the evolution of lithic production systems.

Keywords

Llithic weapon tips, Gravette Point, apprenticeship, Gravettian, flint economy, technical investment, Tercis, Isturitz.