A provenance investigation on Middle–Upper Paleolithic chipped chert tools from North Bosnia

Bibliographic Data

ID6425630
AuthorsPetros Chatzimpaloglou (0000-0001-7119-8825, McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research University of Cambridge Cambridge UK, corresponding author), Rajkovača Tonko (Department of Archaeology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK), Pandžić Ivana (Department of History University of Banja Luka Banja Luka Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Year2024
Volume40
Issue1
Publication date2024-07-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0883-6353 • E-ISSN: 1520-6548
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/gea.22020
OpenAlexW4401101963
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited32

This study presents the results of a provenance study on Middle–Upper Paleolithic chert tools from North Bosnia. It is part of a larger geoarchaeological research dedicated to using interdisciplinary methodologies to collate and review the known Middle–Upper Paleolithic archaeological record of North Bosnia. Chert is a raw material commonly used in prehistory for tool crafting and this region is known to have abundant geological sources. However, there is a lack of detailed data, especially regarding the geochemical characteristics and composition of these sources. The Middle‐Upper Paleolithic lithic assemblages found in North Bosnia are dominated by chert and there is an untested theory suggesting the exploitation of local sources. The presented research uses macroscopic examination and laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to distinguish the different chert varieties and identify groups with specific geochemical characteristics/signatures in the assemblages. The field‐ and lab‐based work suggests multiple sources but most importantly, presents strong evidence of chert tools having almost identical geochemical signatures with specific chert sources from North Bosnia. These are the first results confirming the exploitation of Indigenous chert sources and subsequently providing insights into hominan activity and raw‐material networks during the Middle–Upper Paleolithic in the region

Archaeology · Geochemistry · Geography · Middle Paleolithic · Pleistocene · Provenance · Upper Paleolithic · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Geology · Paleontology

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