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Microlith to macrolith: the reasons behind the transformation of production in the Irish Mesolithic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2015

Laurent J. Costa ,
Farina Sternke  and
Peter C. Woodman
Laurent J. Costa
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Préhistoire et Technologie (UMR 7055), M.A.E., 21 allée de l’Université, 92028 Nanterre cedex, France
Farina Sternke
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University College of Cork, Ireland
Peter C. Woodman
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University College of Cork, Ireland
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Abstract

In a new study the authors explore the reasons behind the remarkable change in the procurement and choice of stone tools that occurred half way through the Irish Mesolithic. The abandonment of microliths and the adoption of a broad blade technology around 7000 BC is here attributed to a need for multi-purpose tools made from a variety of materials, serving smaller and more mobile communities.

Keywords

MesolithicIrelandlithicssocial organisation
Type
Research Article
Information
Antiquity , Volume 79 , Issue 303 , March 2005 , pp. 19 - 33
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2005

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