Bipolar Pieces

Abstract

The existing definitions of bipolar pieces and the interpretation of the bipolar technique are numerous. They are often classified in a functional way, or by production process, production purpose, or producer's gender. Recently it has been seen as evidence of varying degrees of skill and age: apprenticeship. To investigate the validity of these interpretations, the bipolar pieces of the Swifterbant type-site are typologically, technologically, and microscopically analyzed which resulted in three morphologically different signatures. One by one, the different theories are examined for compatibility to the artifacts. This has some surprising results. Not all theories bear the test and some are therefore dismissed. Furthermore, it appears that more definitions may co-exist as they apply to different aspects or levels of interpretation. Although the bipolar pieces at the Swifterbant type-site are, in exceptional cases, opportunistically used as a tool, they are more often cores; cores indicating different levels of skill. The combination of large platform cores and small bipolar cores points towards a maximum exploitation of all the raw material available. The last question that needs to be answered is whether this was the result of raw material shortage or a conscious choice.