Analysis of Projectile Use-Wear, Adhesive Remains, and Archery Experiment on Epipaleolithic Microliths from Tor Hamar, Southern Jordan

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2025: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Epipaleolithic assemblages in the Levant are characterized by frequent occurrences of microliths, and their techno-morphological and chronological studies have clarified detailed cultural history and regional variations in the Levant. While functional studies of microliths recently increased, the relationship between microlith functions and their spatio-temporal patterns remains unclear.

Our study examines possible projectile uses and hafting methods of microliths from Eary and Middle Epipaleolithic assemblages from Tor Hamar, southern Jordan. For this purpose, we observed projectile use-wear, including diagnostic impact fractures (DIFs) and microscopic linear impact traces (MLIT) and the distribution of adhesive remains. We also conducted some archery experiments to verify our inferences about the projectile use and hafting methods of the microliths.

Our poster presents the types of DIFs, MLITs, and the distribution patterns of adhesive remains observed on some microliths, including arch backed bladelets, from Tor Hamar. Based on these observations, we show our inferences on the projectile use and hafting methods of the microliths, such as oblique tips and barbs. In addition, we discuss regional variations on the frequency of DIFs in the southern Levant and their possible relationship with the microlith types and their hafting for projectile weapons.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)   •
• SAA 2025: Individual Abstracts

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 50811