Small tools within Mode 2 technology in the Lower Palaeolithic of Italy: use-wear analysis of the chipped stone tools assemblage of the Latium site of Fontana Ranuccio (Italy)

Abstract

Recent technological studies of lithic assemblages from Levantine and European Late Lower Palaeolithic showed that the small size flakes (small tools) found in many sites of this period are relevant technological elements. Their role in the lithic assemblages of the Late Lower Paleolithic allows to reconsider the common idea that the bifaces are the unique techno-cultural markers of the Acheulean chronological and cultural phase. In this article we want to discuss the functional role of the small tools through the presentation of the results of the use-wear analysis of the small tools coming from the Acheulean site of Fontana Ranuccio located in Central Italy (Latium).

Keywords

• Paleolitico Inferiore
• small tools
• bifacciali
• tecnologia
• analisi delle tracce d’uso