The flake microlithism in the European Pleistocene: the case of Bolomor Cave (MIS 9-5, Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

The presence of small retouched stone tools in the lithic industries of the Middle Palaeolithic is a well-known and repeated -and not necessarily in recent times- fact in several European sites. Although modern research accepts the existence of microlithism in these contexts, it is necessary to define the process in the Palaeolithic industries of flakes with greater precision from the point of view of a technological aim in the societies of Neanderthal lineage. In this study, we analyse the case of Bolomor Cave (Tavernes de la Valldigna, Valencia, Spain) in an overview that includes statistics, techno-typology and metric analysis through the site’s main phases of occupation. We first analysethe raw material compositions of each phase as well as their possible catchment areas. In this study, the reconstruction of the original volumes is key to understanding the degree of exploitation of the blanks linked to the different processes of lithic reduction (shaping, recycling, resharpening). Microlithic production has been studied by analysing the inter-relation of several variables in categories and ranges that allow us to compare data along this long chronostratigraphic sequence (350–100 ka). In the future, this wide chronological range will evaluate this phenomenon, not only from the technological point of view but also from a functional overview, opening new interesting research lines. We also consider the scope and diffusion of microlithism through the lithic industries of the Middle Palaeolithic. We propose the denomination of flake microlithism as a concept based on the data exposed in Bolomor Cave and endorsed by data from other sites.