Use of ethnographic studies to formulate new hypotheses about methods of Paleolithic clothing manufacture: challenging assumptions about technological sophistication

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Exploring the Intersection of Ethnography and Technology: Understanding the Evolution of Human Technologies through Ethnographic Research" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Ethnographic studies can be used to question prevailing assumptions about differences in modern human (Homo sapiens) and Neanderthal technology and clothing. As no Palaeolithic clothing survives, research focusses on indirect evidence. Stone blades, bone awls and needles in Upper Palaeolithic (UP), modern human assemblages and their virtual absence in Middle Palaeolithic (MP), Neanderthal toolkits are argued to support the hypothesis that in Europe, modern humans created complex sewn clothing from animal hides, and Neanderthals wore simple cape-like clothing. Some suggest this supports the hypothesis Neanderthals lacked the cognitive/behavioural ability to protect themselves from cold climates, and this contributed to their extinction. So far, however, MP tools have not been tested for their capacity to perform similar functions. Ethnographic studies record a diversity of formal and informal methods of making clothing. These will be used to formulate new hypotheses about methods of Palaeolithic clothing manufacture. This will inform design of experiments testing replica MP tools for their suitability as cutting and piercing tools for making sewn clothing: adding to our understanding of the versatility of MP assemblages. UP technology is often placed above MP in a cultural evolutionary framework: this project will challenge some of the perceived superiority of UP technology.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Exploring the Intersection of Ethnography and Technology: Understanding the Evolution of Human Technologies through Ethnographic Research   •
• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 52534