Biface Trimming Elements as Indicators of Tool Rejuvenation Intensity

The Case of Sibiryachikha, Altai

Bibliographic Data

ID8134148
AuthorsAliona Kharevich (0000-0002-2267-2452, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences), A V Kharevich (Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography), K Kolobova (0000-0002-5757-3251, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences; Altai State University), K A Kolobova (Altai State University), Igor Tyugashev (0000-0001-5885-1535, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences), I E Tyugashev (Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography), Vladimir Kharevich (0000-0003-2632-6888, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences), V M Kharevich (Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography), P V Chistyakov (0000-0001-7036-7092, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography), V Markin, Sergey Markin (0000-0002-4528-8613, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences), S V Markin (Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography), A P Derevianko (0000-0003-1156-8331, Altai State University)
Year2026
Volume53
Issue4
Pages41-51
Publication date2026-01-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchaeology Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1563-0110 • E-ISSN: 1531-832X
PublisherInstitute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.17746/1563-0110.2025.53.4.041-051
OpenAlexW7123353309
LanguageEN
References cited14

Biface trimming elements represent an important diagnostic source of information for studying various stages of bifacial tool production. In Middle Paleolithic assemblages, they often constitute a significant portion of the sample, making them particularly useful for identifying specific technological operations such as primary reduction and shaping of bifacial preforms, edge formation and retouching, working edge rejuvenation, and modification of bifacial tools. Here, we present the findings of a systematic typological analysis of biface trimming elements. Through a comprehensive metric and morphological analysis of experimental collections and Middle Paleolithic assemblages representing the Sibiryachikha industries of the Altai, we have developed a refined typology of technical spalls with regard to local archaeological specificity. Our analysis revealed no statistically significant differences either between parameters of type 0 and type 1 spalls or between those of type 2 and type 3, suggesting that these groups correspond to specific technological operations. In contrast, type 4 and type 5 technical spalls, which indicate onsite tool modification, show significant metric differences. The results demonstrate functional and technological distinctions between the assemblages. Materials from Chagyrskaya Cave are especially indicative of primary edge retouching and tool shaping, while the Okladnikov Cave industry mostly evidences maintenance and modification of bifacial tools

Blade (archaeology · Cave · Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution · Middle Paleolithic · Trimming · Typology · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology

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