Stone Tool Use in Late Prehistoric and Historic Contexts in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Summary

In part because of their lack of plasticity (compared to ceramics, for example), lithics exhibited relatively little change over long periods of time. This rigidity of form also conferred great benefits on lithics. With some modification, various stones could make extremely useful implements for cutting, scraping, drilling, incising, and abrading, grinding, or crushing various materials, even when compared to tools provided by new technologies. Indeed, both flaked and ground stone tools persisted even as new materials and technologies were introduced because their relatively low cost and high durability provided substantial value and utility for people. Specifically, this study examines the continuation of lithic technology from the end of the prehistoric period (Bronze Age) into subsequent historical phases (Archaic, Classical, Roman, Byzantine) in the eastern Mediterranean and Near East. In some instances, such as with threshing sledges and the use of millstones to grind grains, the technology persisted well into the 20th century and was a significant part of the domestic and political economy. The concepts that underlie this technological persistence are strategic thinking and economizing behavior on the part of people in cultures past and present.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)   •
• Global Perspectives on Lithic Technologies in Complex Societies

Keywords

Spatial Coverage