Lithic Materials and Paleolithic Societies (PDF)

Lithic Materials and Paleolithic Societies provides a
detailed examination of the Paleolithic procurement and utilization
of the most durable material in the worldwide archaeological
record. The volume addresses sites ranging in age from some of the
earliest hominin occupations in eastern and southern Africa to late
Pleistocene and post-Pleistocene occupations in North American and
Australia. The Early Paleolithic in India and the Near East, the
Middle Paleolithic in Europe, and the Late Paleolithic in Europe
and eastern Asia are also considered.

The authors include established researchers who provide
important synthetic statements updated with new information. Recent
data are reported, often by younger scholars who are becoming
respected members of the international research community. The
authors represent research traditions from nine countries and
therefore provide insight into the scholarly present as well as the
Paleolithic past. Attempts are frequently made to relate lithic
procurement and utilization to the organization of societies and
even broader concerns of hominin behaviour. The volume re-evaluates
existing interpretations- in some instances by updating
previous work of the authors -and offers provocative new
interpretations that at times call into question some basic
assumptions of the Paleolithic.

This book will be invaluable reading for advanced students and
researchers in the fields of palaeolithic archaeology,
geoarchaeology, and anthropology.