Using Cores as Tools: Use-wear Analysis of Neanderthal Recycling Processes in Level 4 at Prado Vargas (Cornejo, Merindad de Sotoscueva, Burgos, Spain)

ABSTRACT

The life of tools in lithic assemblages from European Middle Paleolithic sites reveal different processes of dilation, such as ramification (the use of a flake as a production matrix, from which a second and sometimes even a third tool is produced) and tool on core (TOC), core on tool (COT) and core on flake (COF) processes, with the presence of resharpening tools and the presence of double patinas as further evidence. Technological studies suggest that items in a lithic assemblage have gone through function changes (through reuse or recycling), but only use-wear analysis can demonstrate what these changes of function have been. Of particular interest is the recycling of cores, which often become tools (retouched or non). In this paper, we analyze several cores recovered in Level 4 of Prado Vargas, in which we demonstrate what their use was after the first function as matrixes of exploitation and flake-production.

KEYWORDS:

• Neanderthal
• recycling
• use-wear
• cores
• Prado Vargas

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Field work was supported by Consejería de Cultura y Turismo de la Junta de Castilla y León, Diputación de Burgos, CEDER Merindades and Ayuntamiento Merindad de Sotoscueva. Marta Santamaría is the beneficiary of a predoctoral grant from University of Burgos (UBU). Fundación La Escuela (Cornejo), Asociación Naboki (Quisicedo), Casa del Parque del Monumento Natural de Ojo Guareña and Benigno Gómez Pereda.