Reconstructing projectile technology during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B in the Levant: A multi-proxy approach to large tanged points at Halula
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2016 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Journal of Archaeological Science |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305440316300061 |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2016.04.005 |
| Field | Archaeology, anthropology, ethnology |
| Keywords | Levant; Pre-Pottery Neolithic B; Projectile technology; Tanged points |
| Attached files | |
| Description | Bidirectional blade technology originated during the beginning of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B in the Middle Euphrates valley in the northern Levant. This distinctive technology, which diffused throughout the Levant during the period, is associated with the emergence and consolidation of village farming in the Levant. Standardized bidirectional blades were used mostly to produce large tanged points, which are present at all PPNB sites. Techno-typological studies on bidirectional technology and studies on projectiles typology in particular have revealed important stylistic differences reflecting chronological and geographical patterning, having significantly contributed to the understanding of early farming communities of the Near East. However, the reconstruction of the weapons these large tanged points were part of has not received the same attention. This investigation is aimed at full characterizing stone points production at Halula, a PPNB settlement in the middle Euphrates valley, and to reconstructing the type of weapons and delivery mechanisms used. Our study also includes the analysis of various ballistic attributes using a series of recent morpho-metric methods and comparison with ethnographic and experimental data about projectiles of known use. Results indicate that Byblos points studied might have been used as dart-points propelled with the help of spear-throwers, indicating a shift -from bow to spear-thrower- in projectile technology associated to the appearance and expansion of bidirectional blade technology during the PPNB in the Levant and in synchrony to the consolidation of agricultural systems in the region. |
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