The bout coupé Handaxe: A typological problem 9780860544524, 9781407317861

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The bout coupe Handaxe A typological problem

Joyce A. Tyldesley

BAR British Series 170 1987

B.A.R. 5, Centremead, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 ODQ, England.

GENERAL EDITORS A.R. Hands, B.Sc., M.A., D.Phil. D.R. Walker, M.A.

BAR 170, 1987: 'The bout coupe Handaxe' © Joyce A. Tyldesley, 1987 The author’s moral rights under the 1988 UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act are hereby expressly asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be copied, reproduced, stored, sold, distributed, scanned, saved in any form of digital format or transmitted in any form digitally, without the written permission of the Publisher. ISBN 9780860544524 paperback ISBN 9781407317861 e-book DOI https://doi.org/10.30861/9780860544524 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library This book is available at www.barpublishing.com

T ABLE O F C ONTENTS

P age L ist o f F igures L ist o f T ables L ist o f P lates

i ii

P reface

v ii

C HAPTER 1 : I NTRODUCTION: A PPROACHES T O H ANDAXE S TUDIES 1 .1 1 .2 1 .3 1 .4 1 .5

I ntroduction 1 T he d efinition o f t he t erm " handaxe" 1 T he p lace o f t he h andaxe w ithin t he a ssemblage 3 P revious a pproaches t o h andaxe s tudies 4 M ajor p roblems e ncountered d uring t he s tudy o f h andaxes a nd h andaxe a ssemblages 6 1 .6 C onclusions 1 0

C HAPTER 2 : T HE B OUT C OUPE ( PAXTON-TYPE O R F LAT-BUTTED C ORDATE) J I ANDAXE G ROUP 2 .1 I ntroduction : t he b out c oupe p roblem 2 .2 U ses o f t he t erm b out c oupe 2 .3 D efinitions o f t he t erm b out c oupe

1 1 1 3 1 4

C HAPTER 3 : AC ATALOGUE O F B RITISH B OUT C OUPE B IFACES AE ast A nglia a nd t he O use R iver s ystem BT he T hames V alley a nd T hames t ributaries CK ent w ith e asternmost S urrey DS outh E ast c oast a nd t he S ussex W eald ES outh C oast a nd h interland FA von GT he S omerset P lain a nd t he s urrounding h ills H S outh W est E ngland IW ales JM ore n orthern f inds KU nprovenanced

1 8 4 0 6 2 7 3 7 7 9 1 9 1 9 5 9 8 1 02 1 03

P age C HAPTER 4 : T HE B OUT C OUPE B IFACE I N B RITAIN 4 .1 4 .2 4 .3 4 .4 4 .5

Ac onsideration o f t he b out c oupe m orphological g roup T he d ating o f t he b out c oupe b ifaces T he d istribution o f t he b out c oupe b ifaces T he f unction(s) o f t he b out c oupe b iface S ummary o f t he B ritish e vidence f or t he b out c oupe b iface g roup

1 05 16 19 1 20 1 22

C HAPTER 5 : T HE B OUT C OUPE B IFACE I N N ORTH W EST E UROPE 5 .1 T he s earch f or b out c oupe b ifaces i n n orthern F rance A B C D E F G

B ois-du-Rocher B ihorel L a M are-aux-Clercs M esnil-Esnard L e T illet F urther f inds o f F rench b out c oupe b ifaces S ummary a nd d iscussion

5 .2 T he s earch f or b out c oups b ifaces i n B elgium a nd T he N etherlands 5 .3 T he s earch f or b out c oupe b ifaces i n G ermany 5 .4 S ummary o f t he C ontinental e vidence f or t he b out c oupe b iface g roup

1 25 1 28 1 34 1 38 1 40 1 44 1 47 1 48

1 49 1 50 1 52

C HAPTER 6 ; S UMMARY A ND C ONCLUSIONS

1 53

T ables P lates B ibliography A ppendix

1 59 1 72 1 81 1 93

11

L IST O F F IGURES

F igure 3 .1 3 .2

P age

T he d istribution o f B ritish b out c oupe b ifaces B ritish b out c oup6 b ifaces ( 1) ( 2) ( 3) ( 5) ( 6) ( 7) ( 8) ( 9) ( 10) ( 11) ( 12) ( 13) ( 14) ( 15) ( 16) ( 17) ( 18) ( 19) ( 20) ( 21) ( 22) ( 23) ( 24) ( 25) ( 26) ( 27) ( 28) ( 29) ( 30) ( 31) ( 32) ( 33) ( 34) ( 35) ( 36) ( 37) ( 38) ( 39) ( 40) ( 41) ( 42) ( 43) ( 44)

L ittle C ressingham S aham T oney S anton D ownham E lveden I cklingham W arren B urnt F en H orningsea L inton F enstanton P it L ittle P axton B iggleswade G ravel P it B edford I pswich : B ramford R d A bingdon D rayton M arlow M arlow B ourne E nd M aidenhead H illingdon : W est D rayton H illingdon : Y iewsley H illingdon : S ipson I sleworth A cton A cton P riory B alham H extable M ilton H olybourne W olverton: G utteridge's W ood T ilbury D ock E rith E rith E rith R ichmond S nodland S nodland O ldbury N ew H ythe F aversham H erne B ay R eculver C anterbury: S t. S tephen's P it

111

1 9 2 1-103 2 1 2 1 2 3 2 3 2 5 2 5 2 7 2 7 2 7 2 9 3 1 3 1 3 4,35 4 1 4 1 4 3 4 3 4 5 4 5 4 7 4 7 4 9 4 9 5 1 5 1 5 1 5 3 5 3 5 5 5 5 5 7 5 7 5 7 5 9 5 9 6 3 6 3 6 5 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 9 6 9

P age ( 45) ( 46) ( 47) ( 48) ( 49) ( 50) ( 51) ( 52) ( 53) ( 54) ( 55) ( 59) ( 60) ( 61) ( 62) ( 63) ( 64) ( 65) ( 66) ( 67) ( 68) ( 69) ( 70) ( 71) ( 72) ( 73) ( 74) ( 75)

C anterbury: W allfield C anterbury: W incheap E lham E lham B illingshurst W est C hiltington S alisbury D unbridge H ighbridge S outhampton S outhampton C hristchurch B ournemouth: S outhbourne B ournemouth: P okesdown B ournemouth: B oscombe B ournemouth: C astle L ane B ournemouth: T albot W oods S herborne P itminster C heddon F itzpaine W est Q uantoxhead K ent's C avern K ent's C avern K ent's C avern K ent's C avern C oygan C ave C oygan C ave U nprovenanced

6 9 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 5 7 5 7 7 7 9 7 9 8 1 8 1 8 5 8 5 8 7 8 7 8 7 8 9 8 9 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 7 9 7 9 7 9 7 1 01 1 01 1 03

4 .1 4 .2

B ifaces a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm T he r efined-triangular b iface a nd t he b out c oupe

5 .1

T he d istribution o f t he p rincipal B reton M TA s ites d iscussed i n C hapter 5 1 27 B ois-du-Rocher: b ifaces a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm ... 1 31 T he d istribution o f t he p rincipal S eine b asin s ites d iscussed i n C hapter 5 1 33 B ihorel: b ifaces 1 37 L a M are-aux-Clercs: b ifaces 1 39 M esnil-Esnard: b ifaces a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm 1 41 M esnil-Esnard: r efined-triangular b ifaces 1 43

5 .2 5 .3 5 .4 5 .5 5 .6 5 .7

i v

13 1 15 1

L IST O F T ABLES

T able

P age

1 Al ist o f B ritish b out c oupe b ifaces 1 59 2 A l ist o f B ritish b out c oupe b ifaces, l isted b y c ounties 1 62 3 B out c oupe b ifaces: t he m easurement o f c ontinuous v ariables. 1 64 4 B out c oupe b ifaces: c ontinuous v ariables 1 65 5 B out c oupe b ifaces: s ize a nd r efinement 1 66 6 B out c oupe b ifaces: t ripartite s hape d iagram 1 67 7 B out c oupe b ifaces: m ean s hape 1 68 8 S tratigraphic/dating e vidence f or t he b out c oupe b iface g roup 1 69 9 T ripartite s hape d iagrams: B ois-du-Rocher a nd B ihorel 1 71

L IST O F P LATES

P late I I I II I I V V

P age T ypical b out c oupe T ypical b out c oupe T ypical b out c oupe B iface a pproaching R efined-triangular

b iface f orm : M arlow b iface f orm : B illingshurst b iface f orm : S outhampton t he b out c oupe f orm b iface: T hetford

V

1 73 1 75 1 77 1 77 1 79

P REFACE

T he t erm b out c oupe h as f or s ome t ime b een u sed t o d esignate a p articular a nd d istinctive t ype o f B ritish b iface: a w ell-made s traight-butted c ordiform h andaxe w ith t wo d istinct a ngles f ormed b y t he i ntersection o f t he s ides w ith t he b ase. H owever, n o m etrical d efinition f or t he t ype h as y et b een p roposed. F ew o f t he b out c oupe h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered f rom s tratified o r w ell-dated c ontexts. D espite t his l ack o f i nformation, i t h as b een s trongly s uggested t hat o n p urely t ypological a nd m orphological g rounds t hey c an b e c onsidered d issimilar t o t he t ypical B ritish L ower P alaeolithic h andaxes b ut s omewhat r eminiscent o f c ertain F rench H andaxe-Mousterian b ifaces. T herefore, i t h as b een a greed t hat t his h andaxe-type m ay b e o f m ajor i mportance i n t he B ritish P alaeolithic s equence, p erhaps e ven p ossessing s ome v alidity a s a t ype-fossil f or t he B ritish M ousterian. A s a n e xtension o f t his h ypothesis i t h as b een p roposed t hat a ny r ecovered b out c oupe b iface m ay b e c onsidered t o b elong t o t he M ousterian o f A cheulian T radition, w hile t he p resence o f a b out c oupe h andaxe c ould t heoretically c lassify a n o therwise u nidentified M ousterian a ssemblage. T his m onograph r eviews t he B ritish a nd C ontinental e vidence f or t he b out c oupe h andaxe. I n p articular, i t c onsiders w hether t he s o-called b out c oupe-bifaces c an l egitimately b e r egarded a s a t ypological g roup, a nd, i f t he t ypological g rouping i s a ccepted, w hether t he t ype c an b e r egarded a s a t rue m arker f or t he M ousterian, o r i ndeed a ny o ther, h andaxe t radition i n B ritain. T his w ork w as s tarted a s p art o f ad octoral t hesis s ubmitted t o t he U niversity o f O xford i n 1 986 , a nd w as c ompleted w ith t he h elp o f a r esearch g rant a warded b y t he B ritish A cademy i n 1 986. I t c ould n ot h ave b een c ompleted w ithout t he h elp a nd e ncouragement o f m any p eople, a nd I w ould l ike t o t ake t his o pportunity o f t hanking a ll t hose w ho h ave a ssisted i n a ny w ay w ith i ts p roduction. I n p articular, P aul C allow a nd J ohn W ymer h ave g iven m e ag reat d eal o f p ractical a dvice a nd e ncouragement, a nd s pecial t hanks m ust g o t o D erek R oe w ho s upervised m y r esearch. I w ould a lso l ike t o t hank f riends a nd c olleagues i n O xford a nd L iverpool f or a ll t heir s upport, w hich h as r anged f rom f ree f ood a nd a ccommodation t o u seful a cademic d iscussion. Ih ope t hat o thers , w hose n ames a re m entioned i n t he t ext b elow , w ill n ot o bject t o b eing t hanked c ollectively f or t heir h elp.

J oyce T yldesley D epartment o f P rehistoric A rchaeology, L iverpool U niversity, 1 987.

v ii

C HAPTER 1 I NTRODUCTION: A PPROACHES T O H ANDAXE S TUDIES

1 .1 I NTRODUCTION S ince t he f irst r ecognition o f t he h andaxe a s a m an-made t ool ( Frere 1 800 ; D aniel 1 962, 3 2-3), t he s tudy o f h andaxes, b oth a s i solated i mplements a nd a s c omponents w ithin c omplex a ssemblages, h as p layed a n i mportant a nd a lmost c ertainly d isproportionate p art i n E uropean M iddle a nd, m ore p articularly, L ower P alaeolithic s tudies. T hat t his h as o ccurred i n B ritish a rchaeology c an b e s een f rom a q uick c onsideration o f t he w ork o f e ither W ymer ( 1968) o r R oe ( 1967; 1 981). R oe's w ork i ndicates t hat a t l east 3 8,000 h andaxes a re c urrently h oused i n B ritish m useums, a lthough o nly a f ew h undred b elong t o " good" a ssemblages f ound i n u ndisturbed c ontexts. S elective o r b iased a rtifact c ollection, a lbeit i nadvertent, h as r esulted i n a n a rtificially h igh h andaxe t o o ther t ool r atio, f orcing a ttention o nto t he h andaxe c omponent o f a ny i ndustry. T he f act t hat m any h andaxes a re a esthetically p leasing, a nd s eem p articularly w ell-suited t o c lassification, t ypologial d ivision a nd c omparison e mphasises a nd r e-enforces t his c oncentration o f s tudy. T his m onograph, d ealing w ith a t heoretically d efined r ather t han a rchaeologically e xcavated h andaxe g roup, t hrough n ecessity p laces a g reat d eal o f i mportance o n t he i ndividual h andaxe a nd t he h andaxe c omponent , w ithin t he a ssemblages s tudied. I t t herefore s eems w orth s tressing a t t his p oint t hat t he p re-eminence o f t he h andaxe w ithin t he o riginal t ool-kits c an n ever b e a ssumed. T his c hapter c onsiders t he b asic a ims o f, a nd v arious a pproaches t o, h andaxe s tudies.

1 .2 T HE D EFINITION O F T HE T ERM " HANDAXE" I t i s g enerally a greed t hat o n t ypological a nd t echnological g rounds h andaxes f orm a d efinite " type" o r " class", c learly d istinct f rom o ther c ontemporary a rtifacts, a nd c apable o f f urther d ivision i nto s ub-groups o r s ub-classes. H owever, d efinitions o f t he t erm " handaxe" o r t he l ess s uggestive n ame " biface" v ary ( see f or e xample B rezillon 1 968, 1 49-56). T hey r ange f rom t he f airly g eneral, s uch a s t hat s uggested b y B ordes ( 1961, 4 9): es o utils d e t ypes v aries, g eneralement t aillgs p artir ... d d e r ognons d e s ilex, m ais a ussi a p artir d e g ros d e clats d e s ilex, d e q uartzite, d e g res l ustre e tc. L eur c haracteristique c ommune e st d 'etre t ailles s ur l eurs d eux f aces, p ar r etouche t otale o u a u m om s e nvahissante, s auf d ans l e c as d es b ifaces p artiels e t d es h achereaux s ur e clats, r anges a vec e ux p our d es r aisons d 'analogie. I ls p artagent c ette r etouche b ifaciale a vec l es r acloirs b ifaces d e t ype Q uina e t a vec l es p ieces f oliacges b ifaces, e t s 'en d istinguent p arfois m alaisgment....

1

t o t he m ore s pecific d efinition o f c onsidering E ast A frican a ssemblages, a rtifact s howing:

I saac ( 1969, i dentified a

V II, 1 4) w ho, h andaxe a s a n

1 . A v ariable a mygdaloid o r o val p lanform 2 . L enticular s ections 3 . T rimming s cars p enetrating a cross m ost o f t he e xtent o f b oth f aces 4 . A s harp e dge r unning a ll a round o r a lmost a ll a round T his d efinition i s s omewhat q ualified b y t he s tatement t hat " not a ll i tems c lassed a s h andaxes s how a ll t hese c haracteristics". C leavers a re e xcluded f rom I saac's d efinition, a s i n A frica c leavers a re a c ommon a nd d istinctive t ool-form r equiring a c learly s eparate d efinition ( Cranshaw 1 983, 8 7). T hat t his i s n ot n ecessarily t he c ase i n W estern E urope i s i ndicated b y t he i nclusion o f " hachereaux" i n B ordes' d efinition. M ore r ecently C allow ( 1976), s tudying B ritish a nd F rench h andaxe g roups, e xpanded I saac's d efinition t o i nclude c leavers, w hile C ranshaw ( 1983, 8 7), e xamining a ssemblages f rom t he M iddle T hames V alley, m ade a f urther m odification t o i nclude b oth i mplements w ith n on-lenticular s ections a nd i mplements n ot n ecessarily h aving a c utting-edge e xtending " all a round o r a lmost a ll a round" t he p iece. T he p resent w riter d efines a h andaxe o r b iface a s: A s haped, o ften l arge, a rtifact w ith a v ariable p lanform , b ifacially w orked t o s how f lake s cars e xtending o ver a s ubstantial p ortion o f e ach f ace a nd a c lear c utting-edge e xtending a t l east p artially a round t he p iece. T he t ip i s g enerally f lat, e ither p ointed, r ounded o r o ccasionally s quared, a nd t he b utt m ay o r m ay n ot b e w orked. F ollowing C allow ( 1976, 3 .11), b ifacially w orked i mplements s howing a l ateral e dge w ith " scraper" a brupt o r s emi-abrupt r etouch a re e xcluded f rom t he c lass. C leavers a s k nown i n E urope m ay b e s eparately i dentified a s: B ifacially w orked p ieces s howing a r elatively l ow-angled t ransverse c utting-edge; t he l ength o f t his e dge u sually b eing o ver 5 0% o f t he m aximum b readth ( see C ranshaw 1 983, 8 8). U nfortunately, i t d oes n ot a lways p rove e asy t o a pply s uch t heoretical d efinitions w ith s trict s cientific a ccuracy; b lurred c lassificatory a reas e xist, i ncluding f or e xample m ost u nifacial o r p artially b ifacial h andaxes a nd b iface-knives. I n t his m onograph b oth " handaxe" a nd " biface" a re u sed i nterchangeably t o a void m onotonous r epetition, a lthough " biface" i s n ever u sed t o d enote a u nifacially w orked p iece a nd " handaxe" i s n ever u sed t o d escribe a " cleaver". B ordes' ( 1961, 4 9-66) t erms h ave b een u sed t o d escribe t he f orm o f i ndividual h andaxes; a ll o ther n ames e mployed h ave b een c learly d efined w ithin t he t ext. I t c an b e a rgued t hat a ny p urely t ypological d efinition, g rouping a rtifacts o n t he b asis o f m orphology w ithout a ccompanying f unctional o r

2

t echnological i nformation, i s s omewhat m isleading, o r e ven i nvalid; s ee f or e xample Y oung a nd B onnichsen's a rguments f or a " cognative a pproach" t o t he s tudy o f m aterial p roducts ( 1984). I n m any r espects t his c riticism c an b e a ccepted a s a t l east p artially t rue, p articularly w hen f unctional n ames a re a pplied t o t ypologically d efined g roups. I t n eeds t o b e s tressed t hat w hen t he a rchaeologist d efines a t ype i t m ust n ot b e a ssumed t hat a ll i mplements f alling i nto t hat d efined t ype o riginally s hared t he s ame f unction(s) -nor, i ndeed, s hould i t e ver b e a ssumed t hat a ll h andaxes w ere d esigned t o b e h eld i n t he h and. T ypological d efinitions a re, h owever, v alid i n t hat t hey a llow c omparisons t o b e m ade b etween a ssemblages a nd b etween i ndividual a rtifacts w hich w ould o therwise p rove d ifficult o r i mpossible, g iven t he r estricted i nformation a vailable. R oe ( 1976) h as p resented s everal a rguments i n f avour o f a t ypological a pproach t o h andaxe s tudies; K lejn ( 1982) h as p resented a r eview o f d ifferent a pproaches t o a rchaeological t ypology.

1 .3 T HE P LACE O F T HE H ANDAXE W ITHIN T HE A SSEMBLAGE T hat t he h andaxe i s v iewed a s a n i mportant E arlier P alaeolithic a rtifact-type h as a lready b een s tated. H andaxes a nd, m ore p articularly, d istinctive h andaxe s ub-groups a re f requently i nterpreted a s " type f ossils" o r " typological m arkers", d emonstrating b y t heir p resence t he d istribution o f s pecific c ultural o r t echnological t raditions o r e ven p articular g roups o f p eople. O n t he b asis o f b iface s imilarity, v arious " culture g roups" h ave b een t entatively i dentified. S uch c omparisons a ccept t he m ajor a ssumption t hat h andaxes a nd h andaxe a ssemblages f rom d ifferent g eographical a reas a nd p ossibly f rom d ifferent p eriods c an b e s ubjected t o a v alid c omparative a nalysis. I n m ost c ases w here c omparisons a nd d ivisions h ave b een m ade ( e.g. R oe 1 967; C allow 1 976) t he a ssociated a rtifacts d o t end t o b ear o ut t he s uggestion o f d ifferent b ut c onsistent t raditions, m arked b y a c hange i n h andaxe t ype. H owever, a s I saac h as s ummarised ( 1977, 9 7): V ariables w hich m ight p revent a rtifacts f rom b eing d irectly c ultural n orms i nclude:

i ndividual s amples o f s tone r epresentative o f w idespread

1 . D ifferences i n f unctional r equirements o f t ools a t d iffering p laces a nd t imes 2 . D ifferences i n t he p roperties o f a vailable r aw m aterials 3 . I diosyncrasies o f i ndividual c raftsmen o r o f p artially i solated s egments o f s ocieties A lthough t he i mportance o f t he h andaxe t o t he a rchaeologist i s c lear, i t i s l ess e asy t o a ssess t he i mportance o f t he h andaxe t o i ts o riginal m aker(s) a nd u ser(s). T he f act t hat l arge n umbers o f b roadly s imilar b ifaces h ave b een r ecovered f rom a w ide g eographical a nd c hronological s pread o f s ites a nd f ind-spots d emonstrates t hat t he h andaxe w as a h ighly s uccessful t ool-form. U nfortunately, d ue t o s elective p reservation a nd c ollection, i t i s n ot p ossible t o c ompare t he t otal n umber o f k nown h andaxes f rom, s ay, t he B ritish L ower P alaeolithic w ith a ll o ther c ontemporary a rtifact-types o f t his p eriod. A s t he o riginal a verage " life" ( the p eriod o f c irculation o f t he a rtifact a nd i ts r ate o f u sage) o f a n i ndividual h andaxe i s n ot k nown, s uch a c omparison

3

w ould n ot n ecessarily b e p articularly i nformative. M odern e xperiments ( e.g. J ones 1 980) i ndicate t hat b ifaces c ould h ave h ad a v ariety o f u ses, a nd m icrowear s tudies ( e.g. K eeley 1 977; 1 980 ; A nderson-Gerfaud 1 981) h ave c onfirmed t his i mpression. T he t ime a nd e nergy i nvested i n t he p roduction o f s ome o f t he m ore e legant a nd r efined e xamples w hich a ppear t o m odern e yes a s o bjects o f b eauty a s w ell a s f unctional i mplements r einforce t he s uggestion t hat h andaxes w ere r egarded a s i mportant b y t heir m akers. H owever, i n t he a bsence o f a ny c learly s uitable e thnographic p arallels, t he p recise r ole o f t he h andaxe i n i ts o riginal a ssemblage c annot b e a ssessed w ith a ny d egree o f a ccuracy.

1 .4 P REVIOUS A PPROACHES T O H ANDAXE S TUDIES S everal a uthorities h ave s ummarised a nd l isted i n d etail m ajor p ost-war a pproaches t o h andaxe s tudies ( principally C allow 1 976, 3 .1-9; C ranshaw 1 983, 6 2-84). I t i s a pparent f rom t heir r esearch t hat h andaxe c lassification a nd a nalysis h ave g rown i n c omplexity w ith t ime. I nitially, s imple " intuitive" m orphological d ivisions o f t he m aterial w ere c onsidered s atisfactory ( e.g. B oucher d e P erthes, 1 864; C ommont 1 913), a nd n ames w ere a llocated t o e ach s ub-group t o g ive a n i ndication o f t he v ariation a nd c haracteristic a ppearance o f t he i mplements w ithin t he g roup. A c lear e xample o f t his t ype o f g rouping i n p resent-day u se i s " ficron", o riginally a F rench w ord u sed t o d escribe t he e nd o f a p unt-pole. T echnological f eatures w ere m ore r arely c onsidered ( see f or e xample t he w ork o f d e M ortillet a nd d e M ortillet 1 903), a nd t he h ypothesised-functional a pproach, i .e. t he c omparison o f a ncient i mplements w ith m ore r ecent t ools, w hich l ed t o t he i dentification o f " scrapers", " borers", " knives" e tc., w as n ot g enerally u sed; t he g eneric n ame " handaxe" a lready p artially i mplied a f unction. T he f irst w idely r ecognised a ttempt t o c onstruct a s tandard a nd m ore o bjective t ypology w as m ade b y B ordes ( 1961), w ho c ombined t he i ntuitive a pproach w ith a s et o f p re-defined m etrical r atios t o c reate ( ideally) c learly d istinct f ormal b iface s ub-groups, w hich a llowed b oth i nter-and i ntra-assemblage c omparison b y m eans o f s imple s tatistics a nd d iagrams. A lthough B ordes' c hoice o f v ariables a nd r atios c an b e c riticised o n t he g rounds o f s ubjectivity ( e.g. C allow 1 976, 3 .4), t his m ethod h as t he g reat a dvantage o f b eing a ccurately r epeatable. I n B ritain t his a pproach w as f urther d eveloped b y t he w ork o f R oe ( 1964; 1 967; 1 968), a nd h as s ince b een w idely u sed b y o ther w orkers f or i nter-assemblage s tudies. I n c ontrast W ymer ( 1968; 1 985), a lso w orking o n t he B ritish m aterial, h as r etained m any a spects o f t he o ld-fashioned i ntuitive m ethod b ut, b y c learly i ndicating h is c riteria f or h andaxe d ivision a nd i ncluding a s ize q ualification , h as p resented a m ore s cientific v ersion o f t his a pproach. I t i s i nteresting t o n ote t hat W ymer h as r etained h is m ethod u naltered ( 1968; 1 985), r esisting t he o bvious t rend t o i nclude m ore m etrical d ata. B oth B ordes' a nd W ymer's s ystems r equire o f t hose w ho u se t hem a g ood w orking k nowledge o f t he o riginal d rawings a nd d efinitions. W ith i ncreasing a wareness o f a rchaeology a s a " science", a nd b etter u nderstanding o f t he c omplexities o f c lassification ( "simply a n e mpirical g rouping o f t hings a ccording t o t heir s imilarity a nd d ifferences"; K luckhohn, 1 960) a nd t ypology ( "a v ariety o f c lassification f ree o f r igid d istribution o f p arameters a nd

4

p rocedures"; D unnell 1 971, 1 40), a ttempts h ave b een m ade t o m ake m ore r igorously d efined d ivisions o f a ll a vailable d ata ( see f or e xample H ill a nd E vans 1 972). T his h as n ecessitated t he a pplication o f q uantitative m ethods a nd, i ncidentally, t he c ollection o f a g reat m ass o f n umerical d ata i n a n a ttempt n ot t o l ose o r n eglect a ny a vailable i nformation. I n B ritish h andaxe s tudies t his s tarted w ith t he w ork o f G raham ( 1970), w ho r e-analysed t he r esults c ollected b y R oe u sing c anonical v ariate a nalysis, a nd b y t he w ork o f C allow ( 1976) w ho e mployed m ore c omplex a ttribute a nalysis i n a n a ttempt t o e liminate s ubjectivity f rom t he d irect c omparison o f h andaxe g roups ( see a lso H odson i n D oran a nd H odson 1 975, 2 41ff). T he r apid g rowth i n m ain-frame a nd m icro- computers h as a llowed t he e xpansion o f t he d etailed m etrical/statistical s tudy o f b ifaces s o t hat s ophisticated c omputer a nalysis i s n ow t he r ule r ather t han t he e xception. T his a pparent o bsession w ith s ophisticated c omputer a nalysis c an p erhaps b e c ited a s a n e xample o f t he " archaeological h ammer" t heory o f M oore a nd K eene ( 1983), w hich s tates t hat o nce a rchaeologists h ave m astered a s pecific t echnique t hey w ill t end t o u se t hat t echnique a t e very a vailable o pportunity, w hether a ppropriate o r n ot. A s C allow h as c ommented ( 1981, 2 6-7): i n r ecent y ears t here h as b een a b urgeoning o f ... c omputer-aided c lassificatory s tudies t o t he p oint w here e ven P h .D . s tudents a re l iable t o f eel t hat t hey h ave s omehow u nder-achieved u nless t hey h ave p roduced s omething i nnovatory o n t he t axonomic f ront. G enerally s peaking, w orkers c onducting a b asically i ntra-assemblage s tudy h ave t ended t o u se m ore v ariables, d esigned s pecifically t o f it t he r equirements o f t he p articular d ata-set, t han t hose i nvolved i n w ider-scale i nter-assemblage w ork. A lso, i t s eems t hat t hose w hose p rimary i nterest i s s tatistics i nclude f ar m ore v ariables t han t hose w ho w ould c onsider t hemselves t o b e p rimarily a rchaeologists. I s t his b ecause o f a l ack o f k nowledge o n t he p art o f t he a rchaeologist? O r i s i t t hat t he a rchaeologist i s m ore a ware, p erhaps t hrough e xperimental f lint k napping, o f t he n on-standardisation o f m an-made a rtifacts? T he r esults o f a ll t he w ork o utlined a bove d emonstrate t hat i mplements d efined a s h andaxes c an b e f urther s ub-divided i nto v arious d istinct " types", w hich r ecur i n d ifferent c ontemporary a ssemblages. S tudies o f t he a vailable B ritish h andaxe m aterial ( Roe 1 964; 1 968; C allow 1 976) h ave r evealed t he p resence o f m ajor " more p ointed" a nd " more o vate" t raditions, w hich c an b e s ubjected t o f urther s ub-division. W here t he a pproaches l isted a bove d iffer s omewhat i s i n t he d egree o f r efinement, o f b oth r ecording a nd s ub-dividing, r egarded a s d esirable. F or e xample B ordes ( 1961, 5 7-66) i dentifies a nd n ames 1 3 c lassic h andaxe t ypes i n a r igid o r f ixed t ypology, w hile M onnier a nd E tienne ( 1978, F igure 6 ) d ivide a s mall s ample o f 1 77 M ousterian b ifaces f rom t he s ite o f B ois-du-Rocher, B rittany, i nto 2 1 d istinct g roups. R oe ( 1964; 1 967; 1 968) s olves t he p roblem o f c reating s ub-divisions t o a c ertain e xtent b y n ot n aming p articular t ypes, b eyond t he g eneral " more p ointed" o r " more o vate" g roups, b ut b y r epresenting t he b asic p lanform s hape o f e ach i mplement i n a d iagrammatic f orm. I n a s omewhat s imilar w ay W ymer ( 1968) m anages t o a void t he p roblem o f " in-between" f orms b y d eveloping a nd u sing a s ystem w hich a llows s uch t ypes t o b e r epresented a s c ombinations o f d efined g roups. O ther m ore e xplicit a nd r igid t ypologies ( e.g. B ordes 1 961) a re n ot f ully c apable o f d ealing w ith

5

s uch c ombination p ieces. D espite c riticisms t o t he c ontrary, a nd t he p roblems m entioned a bove, a p roperly c onducted c lassificatory a pproach t o a ssemblages o f h andaxes i s s till o f v alue a s: 1 . I t i s am eans o f s orting l arge q uantities o f d ata ( Roe 1 976) 2 . I t a llows c omparison b etween d ifferent d ata-sets 3 . I t a llows t he t ransfer o f i nformation t o t he r eader 4 . I t a llows t he c onstruction o f h ypothetical d evelopmental s tages f or t esting w here o ther e vidence m ay b e l acking G iven t he l ack o f a lmost a ll o ther a rchaeological e vidence, t he p roblem o f t he b out c oupe b iface g roup d iscussed i n t his m onograph i s e ssentially a p roblem o f c lassification. U nfortunately, t his a pproach a lso h as i ts o bvious d rawbacks, p rincipally a s s ummarised b y H ill a nd E vans ( 1972, 2 32): U nless w e f ully u nderstand t he r ationale u nderlying o ur c lass o r t ype d ivisions, w e a re n ot l ikely t o c reate c lassifications w hich w ill b e v ery u seful t o u s o r t o o thers.

1 .5 M AJOR P ROBLEMS E NCOUNTERED D URING T HE S TUDY O F H ANDAXES A ND H ANDAXE A SSEMBLAGES T he m ajor p roblems e ncountered i n a ny d etailed s tudy o f h andaxes o r h andaxe a ssemblages a re s eldom r ecorded o r d iscussed. H owever, a s t hese p roblems h ave a p otentially d istorting e ffect o n a ny c onclusions d rawn f rom t he s tudy, i t s eems a ppropriate t hat t hey s hould a t l east b e c onsidered b riefly:

( A) P roblems o f d ata d eposition T he B ritish E arlier P alaeolithic i s r epresented b y s omething l ike 1 00,000 s tone a rtifacts b ut v ery l ittle o ther m aterial e vidence ( Roe 1 981, 1 ). T herefore t hese a rtifacts, a nd t he p attern o f t heir d iscard, f orm a n e ssential c onnecting l ink b etween t he p ast a nd t he p resent. U nder i deal c onditions ( Isaac 1 981) t he a rtifact d iscard w ould c onform t o a s patially c entralised p attern, a llowing t he r ecognition o f m ajor c oncentrations ( settlements o r m ajor a ctivity c entres) a nd m inor g roups ( transit c amps o r m inor a ctivity c entres), w ith a m ore r andom " scatter b etween t he p atches". U nfortunately, c ertain f actors h ave i nfluenced a nd c omplicated t his p atterning ( Isaac 1 981, 1 34): 1 . O nly t hose p ortions o f h uman l ines o f m ovement a long w hich d urable a rtifacts a re d iscarded w ill b e r epresented i n t he i mprint i .e. t he a rchaeological r ecord 2 .

I f t he o bjects a re t ransported a fter d iscard b y a gencies, t hey d o n ot d irectly d ocument p oints a ncient w eb o f m ovements

3 . H umans m ay d eliberately t ransport

6

d iscarded

n atural i n t he

m aterial

a way

f rom i ts o riginal p lace o f d iscard.... T he l arge g aps a pparent i n t he B ritish a rchaeological r ecord h inder c ertain a pproaches t o P alaeolithic s tudies; f or e xample a ny s imple s tudy o f t he d istribution m ap y ields l ess i nformation t han o ne c ould h ope, w hile m ore s ophisticated t echniques ( e.g. F lannery 1 976) o r e laborate s patial a nalyses ( e.g. H odder a nd O rton 1 976) a re r endered i mpossible. T he t ypological s tudy o f a rtifacts, w ith i ts g reater e mphasis o n t he i ndividual a rtifact, i s l ess i nfluenced b y t he l imitations i mposed b y t he i ncompleteness o f t he a vailable d ata, a lthough i t t oo c an b e a ffected b y t he m ajor p roblem o f a ttempting t o e stablish c ontemporaneity o f a rtifacts a t a s pecific l evel.

( B) P roblems o f d ata r ecovery T he v ast m ajority o f B ritish h andaxes w ere r ecovered 5 0 y ears o r m ore a go, e ither a s s tray o r i solated f inds, o r d uring c ommercial d igging m ost n otably d uring m anual g ravel e xtraction. V ery f ew b ifaces h ave b een r ecovered f rom f ormally e xcavated s ites w ith a ccompanying d etails o f p rovenance, s tratigraphy, a ssociations e tc. ( see R oe 1 964, 2 49). T his m eans t hat f requently t he o nly a vailable i nformation c oncerning a p articular i mplement i s t hat i mplement i tself, p lus a v ague r ecord o f i ts f ind-spot. T o c onfuse t he s ituation f urther, c ertain a reas h ave p roduced a b iased d istribution, w here e nthusiastic c ollectors h ave b een h ard a t w ork; c onversely, a rtifacts h ave b een v irtually i gnored i n o ther r egions. A s I saac ( 1981, 1 34) h as a gain s ummarised: A rchaeologists o nly h ave a ccess t o am iniscule s ample o f t he t otal n umber o f a rtifact d iscard a cts w hich o riginally f ormed t he e ntirety o f t he p otential r ecord f or t he a rea a nd t ime p eriod , i n q uestion. B ias d ue t o d ifferential p reservation, t o d ifferential r e-exposure a nd d ue t o i mperfect r ecovery, a ll h ave t o b e a ssessed a nd a llowed f or.

( C) P roblems o f d ata c ollection R oe's G azetteer o f B ritish L ower a nd M iddle P alaeolithic f inds ( 1968a) p rovides a g ood r ecord o f t he E arlier P alaeolithic a rtifacts h oused i n B ritish m useums a lmost t wenty y ears a go. H owever, s ince 1 968 t here h ave b een m any n ew u nrecorded f inds; i n c ontrast s everal o f t he i nitially r ecorded h andaxes h ave b een l ost o r m islaid. T he s plitting u p o f a ssemblages b etween m useums a nd p rivate c ollections, f requently e ncountered i n F rance w here p ost-excavation s ales w ere n ecessary t o f inance f urther w ork, c an c ontribute f urther t o t he g eneral d ifficulties o f o btaining a c omplete s ample f rom a s pecific s ite. H owever, t he w ork o f, f or e xample, W ymer ( 1985) c learly s hows w hat c an b e a chieved b y a p atient a nd e xperienced w orker, a nd t his b rief p aragraph i s n ot d esigned a s a n a pology f or a ny s pecific s hortages o f i nformation i n t he t ext b elow.

( D) P roblems o f d ata r ecording A s f ew h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered f rom w ell p rovenanced o r d ated i n s itu c omplete a ssemblages, t he p roblem o f h ow b est t o r ecord a nd

7

i nterpret t he a vailable d ata c an u sually b e s ummarised a s: 1 . W hich a re t he r elevant v ariables ( scales f or d ifference) w hich s hould b e s elected f or s tudy? 2 .

I n w hich w ay a re t hey b est r ecorded?

3 .

I n w hich w ay a re t hey b est a nalysed?

m easuring

T he p roblem o f e stablishing t he c rucial v ariables f or a p articular a rtifact g roup a t t he b eginning o f t he w ork r ather t han p art w ay t hrough, o r e ven t owards t he e nd, i s o ne w hich i s s eldom a dmitted. U nfortunately, i t i s o nly t hrough e xperience t hat t his p roblem c an b e r esolved. T he s election o f v ariables o r a ttributes i s d ependent n ot o nly u pon t he d irect r equirements o f t he s ample, b ut a lso, r egrettably, u pon t he t ime a nd r esources a vailable f or s tudy. T herefore, a lthough G unn's s uggestions f or i dentifying i ndividual f lint w orking s tyles u sing l aser d iffraction m ay b e o f v alue i n b oth i nter- and i ntraa ssemblage s tudies, t he r equirement o f s pecialised e quipment a nd t he t ime n eeded t o p repare e ach p iece f or t he a nalysis p revent t he w idespread t esting o f s uch a m ethod a nd m ake i t b oth i mpractical a nd e xpensive ( see G unn 1 975; 1 977). T he r ecording o f o bjective b inary a nd d iscrete o bservations ( e.g. p resence/absence o f a t ranchet s car, p resence/absence o f c ortex o n t he t ip e tc.) c an b e a r elatively s imple m atter, p rovided t hat t he v ariable u nder c onsideration i s w ell-defined. H owever, C ranshaw ( 1983, 1 83-4) h as s hown t hat w hen m ore s ubjective a ttributes ( freshness, t wist, p lano-convexity e tc.) c ome u nder c onsideration c onsiderable d ifferences i n o pinion, s temming f rom d ifferent p erceptions o f t he m aterial, c an o ccur. A lthough v arious m ethods h ave b een s uggested f or m aking a ll s uch v ariables i nto m easurable a ttributes ( see f or e xample S hackley's u se o f a n a brasion i ndex [ 1974; 1 975, 4 4]; C allow 's u se o f a g oniometer t o m easure t wist i n d egrees [ Callow 1 976, 3 .19]; I saac's r atio o f b iconvexity [ 1977, 19]), a ll h ave c ertain d rawbacks. T hey c an a ll b e t ime c onsuming a nd d ifficult t o a pply a ccurately - indeed, t he n ecessary d egree o f a ccuracy m ay b e d ifficult t o d etermine -but, m ore i mportantly, u nless t he r esults o btained a re u sed w ith a d egree o f c aution t hey c an g ive a s purious s cientific a ir t o t he m easurement o f w hat a re e ssentially m an-made t ools: t oo g reat a p recision m ay n ot a lways b e a n a dvantage s ince i t c an m ask d ifferences a s w ell a s r eveal t hem . I n t his m onograph, p ost-depositional o r a ccidental f eatures s uch a s c ondition o r p atination a re s imply r ecorded a s w ell-defined d iscrete o r b inary v ariables. T he d eliberately s elected f eatures ( angle o f t wist, p lano-convexity e tc.), w hich a re d ependent o n t he a ims o f t he k napper t ogether w ith h is/her s kill a nd t he p roperties o f t he a vailable r aw m aterial, c ertainly r equire m ore d etailed c onsideration. H owever, a s t he o riginal m aker w as p resumably n ot u sing a g oniometer, o r e mploying a c omplex s cale t o c alculate t he c orrect d egree o f p iano-convexity, t hese f eatures a re a lso t reated a s d iscrete v ariables, r equiring a s l ittle m athematical c alculation a s i s n ecessary. C ontinuous v ariables a re u sed p rincipally t o d escribe " size", " shape" a nd " thickness". S ize c an b e i ndicated, a s i n t his m onograph, b y l ength a nd, l ess r eliably, b y w eight, w hile m aximum t hickness m ay b e d etermined i n a s imilar w ay. S hape, b oth o utline/planform a nd p rofile, t ends t o b e t he a ttribute w hich r eceives t he m ost a ttention f rom

8

t ypologists. T his o ccurs f or t wo m ain r easons. S hape, g enerally t he m ost o bvious a spect o f a ny h andaxe t o t he c asual o bserver, i s p erhaps m ost l ikely t o r eflect t he w ishes o f t he o riginal m aker i n a w ay t hat s ize, f requently l imited b y t he a vailable r aw m aterial, o r o ther a ttributes m ight n ot. A lso, s hape i s n ot e asy t o r ecord b y t he s imple m easurement o f o ne o r t wo v ariables. T he u se o f a r igid t ypology s uch a s t hat o f B ordes ( 1961) d oes n ot a lways p rovide t he r equired c ategories, a nd r equires a g reat f amiliarity w ith t he o riginal d efinitions a nd d iagrams ( Bordes 1 972, 1 41): O ne h as t o s ee a g reat n umber o f i mplements, c lassify t hem , s ee t hem a gain s everal t imes, b efore o ne a cquires a " typological e ye". T he u se o f d efined r atios t o e liminate p roblems o f s ize, a s s uggested b y R oe ( 1964; 1 967; 1 968), c an a lso b e s ubjective ( see C allow 1 976, 3 .4) a nd, d epending o n t he n umber o f r atios u sed, m ay b ecome v ery c omplex. A s eries o f b rief e xperiments c onducted b y t he p resent w riter ( Tyldesley 1 986) s howed t hat a lthough i t i s p ossible t o r ecord b asic a ttributes a ccurately a nd c onsistently f rom a ny g iven b iface, b oth i nter-and i ntra-worker v ariation d oes e xist. G iven t he d ifficulties t hat c an b e a ssociated w ith t he m easurement o f w orn o r d amaged p ieces ( where, f or e xample, t here h as b een s light d amage t o t he l ength o f t he h andaxe) i t m ust b e q uestioned w hether a h ighly m etrical a pproach t o h andaxe s tudies i s a s v alid a nd v aluable a s i t i s f ashionable t o s uppose. T he p resent w riter's o wn e xperience o f e xperimental f lint k napping h as c onfirmed, i n h er o pinion, t he v alue o f am ore d escriptive a nd l ess m etrical a pproach. A lthough i t i s n ot r easonable t o c ompare t he k napping p roducts o f am odern b eginner w ith t hat o f e xperienced P alaeolithic M an, i t i s a pparent t hat m any " features" o n e xperimentally m ade b ifaces a re e ither p urely a ccidental, o r r esult f rom p articular q ualities o r c onstraints o f t he r aw m aterial u sed. T his o pinion i s s hared b y o thers ( e.g. L ewis J ohnson 1 975, 6 5): I d on't k now h ow m any k nappers s hare w ith m e t he e xperience o f h aving d one a n a nalysis o f a l ithic c ollection b efore l earning t o k nap a nd t hen l ooking b ack a t i t a fter h aving b ecome a p roficient k napper -it i s a s obering e xperience. F or e xample, r etouch o n t he d orsal s urface o f t he s triking p latform , w hich I i nterpreted a s f unctional r etouch, I n ow r ecognise a s c ore p reparation, i mportant f or t he u nderstanding o f m anufacture b ut m eaningless i n a s tudy o f t ool f unction. A s a f urther e xample, w hen k napping e xperimentally i t i s o ften m uch e asier t o m ake a b iface w ith a t wisted o r p artially t wisted c utting-edge t han o ne w ith a s traight c utting-edge. T herefore, i n t his m onograph a r elatively ( and c onsciously) s imple a pproach t o h andaxe s tudies h as b een t aken. T his a pproach, w hich m ight a t f irst s ight b e t hought c rude a nd u nsophisticated w hen c ompared t o t he f ine m etrical w ork o f, f or e xample C allow ( 1976), m eans t hat t here i s g enerally l ess e mphasis o n t he r ecording o f m easurements a nd o n c omplex s tatistics i n t he t ext b elow , a nd m ore e mphasis o n t he a ctual d escription o f e ach p iece. H owever, w here p ossible, d rawings o f e ach i mplement h ave b een p rovided t o s upplement t he d escription. T ables a re u sed t o i ndicate t he n ature a nd c omposition o f a ssemblages, a nd t o a llow c omparison b etween

9

d ifferent a rtifact g roups. W here c omputer s tatistics h ave b een e mployed, t hey h ave b een u sed o n t he a dvice o f t he O xford U niversity C omputing C entre.

1 .6 C ONCLUSIONS T his c hapter h as c onsidered b riefly a n umber o f d ifferent a pproaches t o h andaxe s tudies, a nd h as o utlined t he r easoning b ehind t he m ethods u sed i n t he t ext b elow . T he s tages b ehind t his r easoning c an b e s ummarised a s f ollows: 1 . T he i nitial f orm a nd a ppearance o f ah andaxe d epend u pon t he w ishes a nd s kill o f i ts m aker a nd u pon t he a vailable r aw m aterial a nd l ocal c onditions, a nd c an b e f urther m odified u nintentionally b y u se a nd p ost-depositional c hange a nd d amage. 2 . T his c ombination o f f actors m eans t hat a lthough a s traightforward c omparison o f a rtifacts o r a ssemblages f rom d ifferent f ind-spots i s o f v alue, a nd i s i ndeed o ften t he o nly o ption o pen t o t he a rchaeologist, t he l imitations a nd u ntestable a ssumptions o f s uch a n a pproach m ust b e r ealised. 3 . D etailed k nowledge o f t he f unction(s) o f h andaxes, t heir r ole i n t he o riginal a ssemblage, i s l acking.

a nd

o f

4 . T herefore a ny a pproach t o s uch a s tudy w hich r elies o n a m eticulous a ttention t o m easurements a t t he e xpense o f a c onsideration o f t he p iece a s aw hole m ay b e i n d anger o f a ttaching t oo m uch i mportance t o o nly o ne a spect o f t he b iface, i gnoring f eatures n ot i ncluded i n t he m easured v ariables a nd p erhaps m is-understanding a nd o ver-emphasising c ertain m inor v ariations i n f orm.

1 0

C HAPTER 2 T HE B OUT C OUPE ( PAXTON-TYPE O R F LAT-BUTTED C ORDATE) H ANDAXE G ROUP

2 .1 I NTRODUCTION: T HE B OUT C OUPE P ROBLEM T he d escriptive n ame b out c oupe h as f or s ome t ime b een a ccepted b y v arious a uthorities a s d esignating a p articular a nd d istinctive t ype o f B ritish b iface ( see f or e xample R oe 1 968, 1 8; 1 981, 2 50-65; M ellars 1 974 , 6 4; S hackley 1 977): a w ell-made s traight-butted c ordiform h andaxe w ith t wo c learly d istinct a ngles f ormed b y t he i ntersection o f t he s ides w ith t he b ase, a s s hown b elow :

0 D iagrammatic s ketch i llustrating t he t ypical b out c oups p lanform a nd p rofile, a s d escribed b y R oe ( 1968, 1 9)

O ther B ritish w orkers h ave r ecognised t he s pecific m orphology o f t he h andaxe e ither u nder a d ifferent b ut s pecific c lass-name, s uch a s " flat-butted c ordate ( type N )" ( Wymer 1 968, 5 9) o r " Paxton t ype" ( D .M . C ollins i n C ollins a nd C ollins 1 970 , 1 62), o r w ithout a ssigning a p articular n ame t o t he t ype-group ( e.g. R .A. S mith 1 915a, 3 7; P aterson a nd T ebbutt 1 947, F ig. 3 a). H owever, t he t ype h as n ot g enerally b een r ecognised o utside B ritain; i t i s n ot i dentified i n F rance ( Bordes 1 981) a nd i s n ot i ncluded i n B ordes' ( 1961) t ypology. F ew o f t he s o-called b out c oupe h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered f rom s tratified o r w ell-dated c ontexts. D espite t his l ack o f i nformation, i t h as b een s trongly s uggested ( see f or e xample R oe 1 981, 2 50) t hat o n p urely t ypological a nd m orphological g rounds t hey c an b e c onsidered d issimilar t o t he t ypical B ritish L ower P alaeolithic h andaxes ( both t he " ovate" a nd t he " more p ointed" f orm) b ut s omewhat r eminiscent o f c ertain F rench H andaxe-Mousterian ( Mousterian o f A cheulian T radition) b ifaces ( e.g. B ordes 1 961, P l. 5 7). T herefore, i t h as b een a greed b y a n umber o f w orkers t hat t his h andaxe-type m ay b e o f m ajor i mportance i n t he B ritish P alaeolithic s equence, p erhaps e ven p ossessing s ome v alidity a s a t ype-fossil f or t he B ritish M ousterian. S hackley ( 1977, 39) h as s ummarised t his v iewpoint: 3

1 1

T he b out c oup h andaxe h orizon a cts a s b oth a t ypological " marker" t o s eparate t he o lder A cheulian t raditions f rom t he n ew i ncoming M ousterian i deas, a nd s erves t o i ndicate t he a rrival d ate o f t he n ew c ulture, p ossibly a ssociated w ith H omo s apiens n eanderthalensis. A s a n e xtention o f t his h ypothesis i t h as b een p roposed t hat a ny s tray r ecovered b out c oupe type b iface m ay, a gain o n p urely t ypological a nd t echnological g rounds, b e c onsidered t o b elong t o t he M ousterian o f A cheulian T radition ( Roe 1 981, 5 0), w hile t he p resence o f a b out c oupe h andaxe c ould t heoretically c lassify a n o therwise u nidentified M ousterian a ssemblage ( D .M . C ollins o p. c it., 1 62). T he e vidence f or t he B ritish M ousterian i s s ummarised a s a n a ppendix t o t his m onograph. T he v iew t hat t he b out c oupe r epresents a d efinite c lass, a nd m ay a ct a s a t ypological m arker f or t he M ousterian o f A cheulian T radition, h as n ot b een u nanimously a ccepted. H owever, o nly C oulson h as a ctually p ublished h er o pinion t hat t he b out c oupe i s a " typological m istake" ( Coulson 1 986). H er o bjections, b ased p rimarily o n t ypological c onsiderations, m ay b e s ummarised: 1 . N o m etrical l imit h as e ver b een s et f or t his t ool t ype; e ven s o, i t i s g enerally r ecognised, w ithout m etrical d efinitions, t hat d istinctive s ub-groups e xist w ithin t he c lass. 2 .

A lmost a ll o f t he b ifaces c ould b e c lassified u nder B ordes' s cheme, w ith o nly s ome s ub-rectangular e xamples b eing e xcluded.

I t i s t herefore s uggested t hat t he t erm b out c oup es hould n o l onger b e u sed s ince i t d escribes n ot o ne b ut m any b iface t ypes, m ost o f w hich a re f ound i n v arying d egrees o f f requency i n b oth L ower a nd M iddle P alaeolithic s ites. T he " bout c ou5e" b iface, a s d efined b y R oe a nd S hackley, c annot b e c onsidered a s a " chronological a nd t ypological d atum l ine f or t he a rrival o f M ousterian M an i n B ritain" ( Shackley 1 977, 3 33). ( Coulson 1 986, 5 3). A lthough C oulson d oes n ot a ttempt t o d efine t he s ub-rectangular c lass o f h andaxe, i t i s c lear f rom t he i llustration p rovided ( 1986, 5 4) t hat t his i s a ctually t he c lassic b out c oupe i mplement f orm a s d escribed b y R oe a nd o ther w orkers. I t m ay t herefore b e a rgued t hat C oulson, m isled b y t he l ack o f a n a ccepted m etrical d efinition f or t he b out c oupe c lass a nd a dhering r igidly t o R oe's p ublished l ist o f b out c oup6s ( Roe 1 981, 2 50-267), i ncluded a typical o r n on bout c oupe b ifaces i n h er s tudy-sample w hich d istorted h er c onclusions. A s s he h erself h as p ointed o ut, t he l ack o f a c lear d efinition, c ombined w ith t he l ack o f p ublished i llustrations, m akes t he c onsideration o f t his i mplement t ype m ore d ifficult t han i t s hould b e. C onsidering t he i nformation p resented a bove, i t i s c lear t hat t here i s a n eed f or a r eassessment o f t he b out c oupe i mplement c lass, w ith t he h ope o f r esolving t he f ollowing p oints: 1 . C an t he b ifaces b e c onsidered t o f orm a d istinct t ypological g roup o n t he g rounds o f m orphology a nd t echnology?

1 2

2 .

I f t he b ifaces d o f orm a g roup, w hat i s i ts s ignificance a nd, i n p articular, s hould i t b e r egarded a s a t rue m arker f or t he M ousterian, o r i ndeed a ny o ther, h andaxe t radition i n B ritain?

2 .2 U SES O F T HE T ERM B OUT C OUPE T he u se o f t he d escriptive n ame b out c oupe ( literally " cut-tip", a lthough B ritish a rchaeologists h ave i nterpreted i t a s m eaning " cut-butt") i s o f s omewhat u ncertain o rigin. A lthough i t i s o bviously F rench, i t i s n ot i n f act u sed b y a ny F rench a rchaeologists i n a s pecific m anner, a s i s w rongly a sserted b y L aing a nd L aing ( 1980 , 5 7), a nd i t i s n ot i ncluded i n t he t ypological l ists o f B ordes ( 1961) o r B rezillon ( 1968). D e H einzelin ( 1962, 4) d oes d escribe, w ithout 4 i llustrating, a " biface ä b out d roit"; h owever, a s h e c orrectly r egards t he b out a s t he t ip r ather t han t he b utt o f t he b iface, t his c annot b e r egarded a s a B ritish b out c oupe type. S imilarly, L eroi-Gourhan ( 1964, 1 7) r ecognises a b iface ä b out t ranchant w hich s eems t o c orrespond t o B ordes' ( 1961) h achereau b iface. R oe, w ho h as p erhaps d one m ost t o p opularise t he u se o f t he n ame b out c oupe, h as t old t he p resent a uthor t hat h e m erely f ollowed C .B.M . M cBurney i n u sing t he t erm w hen h e s tarted h is o wn r esearch u nder M cBurney's s upervision, a nd i t s eems l ikely t hat M cBurney a cquired t he n ame f rom L acaille ( 1960 , 3 37): hall n ow l ook a t a f ew o rdinary s hapes o f P alaeolithic ...we s t ools t o w hich t he c haracteristic b ezel w as a pplied. T o a ny s uch o bject t he o ld F rench p rehistorians, w ith a p eculiar f lair f or n omenclature a nd h aving r egard t o t he t runcated e nd, g ave t he n ame b out c oupe. L acaille, w ho w as F rench b y b irth t hough h e s pent h is w orking l ife i n B ritain, c orrectly t ranslated b out a s t ip, a nd w as h ere w riting a bout b iface c leavers w ith a b ezel e nd r ather t han h andaxes. H owever, h e g ives t he i mpression t hat " the o ld F rench p rehistorians" w ould c onsider a ny i mplement w ith s uch a b ezel a s a b out c oupe. R egrettably, h e d oes n ot d ocument h is c omments w ith a ny r eferences. A s l ong b efore a s 1 936, L acaille h ad i dentified a " bout c oupe c leaver" f rom I ver, B uckinghamshire, w hich h e c ompared t o c ertain F rench p ieces f rom t he S omme V alley ( Lacaille a nd O akley 1 936, 4 42-3). A d etailed s earch o f t he a vailable l iterature h as f ailed t o r eveal a ny f urther e arly u se o f t he t erm ; t he d e M ortillets, w ho w ere f riends o f L acaille, d escribe w hat a ppears t o b e a t ypical b out c oupe b iface a s d efined b y R oe ( de M ortillet a nd d e M ortillet 1 903, F igure 6 9; R oe 1 968, 1 8) m erely a s a n " instrument A cheuleen e n s ilex", a nd i t s eems l ikely t hat t hey w ould h ave u sed a m ore p recise t erm h ad t hey k nown i t. B reuil w as a nother c lose f riend o f L acaille: t hey c orresponded a nd e xchanged v isits r egularly f or s everal d ecades, b ut t he p resent w riter h as b een u nable t o f ind t he t erm i n a ny o f B reuil's w ritings. J ohn W ymer d escribed h is " flat-butted c ordate ( type N )" c lass ( 1968, 5 9) b efore h e h ad e ncountered t he t erm b out c oups, a nd h as s ince r etained i t ( e.g. 1 985, 2 ) a s i t f orms a n i ntegral p art o f h is b iface

1 3

c lassification. S imilarly, D .M . C ollins ( in C ollins a nd C ollins 1 970, 1 62) u sed t he t erm " Paxton t ype" b efore b out c o up6 h ad b een w idely u sed. I n m any w ays W ymer's t erm " flat b utted c ordate" i s a m ore s uitable n ame f or t his i mplement t ype; i t i s m ore d escriptive t han t he s imple b out c oupe a s i t g ives a n i ndication o f t he p lanform o f t he t ypical p iece, a nd i t i s E nglish, a nd t herefore a voids a ny i ndirect s uggestion t hat t he h andaxes a re o f F rench o rigin a nd a ny p ossible c onfusion w ith F rench a uthors u sing t he p hrase i n a n on-specific w ay. A s a n a dditional b enefit, i t a voids p roblems w ith a ccents a nd p lurals. H owever, a s t he t erm b out c oups h as b ecome w idely a ccepted a nd a lmost a nglicised i n t he l iterature, t he p resent w riter d ecided t o r etain t he t ype-name; t his i s u sed t hroughout t he t ext b elow a part f rom i n q uotations t aken f rom o ther a uthors.

2 .3 D EFINITIONS O F T HE T ERM B OUT C OUPE A lthough t he b out c oupe o r f lat-butted c ordate b iface h as b een w idely r ecognised a s a d istinct t ype ( Roe 1 968, 1 8; W ymer 1 968, 5 9; M ellars 1 974, 6 4; S hackley 1 977; W oodcock 1 981, 1 95), n o p recise m etrical d efinition h as e ver b een s et f or t he t ype, a nd c onsequently i deas o f b out c oupe-ness v ary f rom a uthor t o a uthor. R oe ( 1967; 1 968, 1 8; 1 981) h as l oosely d efined t he t ype, w ithout s etting a ny m etrical l imits, a s: F lat a nd r efined h andaxes, t heir m ost s triking f eature b eing a s quared b utt w ith r ather a ngular c orners w hich i n t he b est e xamples i s d elicately w orked t o a f ine a xe-like c utting e dge, s traight o r s lightly c onvex. T hey u sually h ave s ymmetrical c onvex s ides a nd a b lunt t ip w ith o nly a s uggestion o f a p oint a nd o ften, b ut n ot a lways, w ith a t ranchet f inish. T he c utting e dge a lmost a lways r uns r ight r ound t he c ircumference o f t he i mplement; a f ew e xamples w ith t wisted p rofiles d o o ccur. T his d efinition h as b een a ccepted b y t he w orkers n amed a bove. H owever, i t i s a pparent t hat i n s cope i t i s r ather b road; f or e xample i t e xtends s traight a cross B ordes' h andaxe t ypology -perhaps a n i ndication t hat t he t ype i s n ot c ommon i n F rance? - and, a s C oulson h as s uggested ( 1986), c an b e m ade t o i nclude t riangular, s ub-triangular, c ordate, s ub-cordate a nd a lmost r ectangular f orms. A lthough t he c lassic o r t ypical f lat-butted c ordate i s e asily r ecognised b y t his d efinition, t he c ut-off p oint o r g rey a rea w here l ess t ypical e xamples b lend i nto t he t ypes n amed a bove i s n ot m ade c lear. D .M . C ollins ( in C ollins a nd C ollins 1 970, 1 62) h as m ore s pecifically d escribed t he c lassic s traight-butted c ordate ( "Paxton t ype") h andaxes a s: h andaxes w ith t he " angled" b utt, s trongly c onvex s ided a nd r ounded a t t he t ip, p resenting a f ace v iew r esembling t he c ross s ection o f a l oaf. T his a ccurate b ut s omewhat u nsuitable d escription ( would a F rench r eader r ecognise t he t ypical p lanform o f a n E nglish l oaf?) d oes s tress t he d ifference b etween t he r efined-triangular b iface ( with s traight o r o nly s lightly c onvex s ides a nd a m ore p ointed t ip) a nd t he s traight-or s lightly c onvex-butted c ordate. B oth t hese h andaxe t ypes h ave a " sharp

1 4

a ngle b etween t he s ides a nd b utt, w hich i s a ctually s traight o r i n a g entle a rc" ( ibid, 1 62), a nd b oth c ould t herefore b e i ncluded b y R oe u nder t he g eneral h eading b out c oupe ( 1981, 2 54-67). H owever, a s t he r efined f lat-butted t riangular h andaxe " biface t riangulaire p lat" h as b een s pecifically i dentified a s a p ossible " type f ossil" f or t he n orthern F rench M TA ( e.g. B ordes 1 954, 4 41), i t s eems b oth c orrect a nd u seful t o d istinguish b etween t hese t wo b iface-forms i n B ritain. C allow ( 1976, b ut:

7 .26) a ttempted t o p roduce a

m ore

s pecific

d efinition,

U nfortunately i t p roved i mpossible t o d evise a s imple m etrical d efinition, b ased o n ( for e xample) t he p osition o f m aximum b readth o n b road, t hin h andaxes, o r t he r elative w idth n ear t he b utt, a s t oo m any v isually a cceptable " bout c oupe" p ieces w ould h ave f ailed t o q ualify ( e.g. C ollins D .M . a nd A . 1 970, F ig 6 , 1 7). T he m ajor p roblem i s t hat a lthough t he p lanform a nd, t o a l esser e xtent, t he s ize o f t he h andaxe a re v ery i mportant i n i ts d efinition, t he " secondary" c haracteristics o f r efinement a nd f laking-technology a lso n eed t o b e c onsidered. I t s hould a lso b e r emembered t hat t he b out c oupes h ave a f airly w ide g eographical ( and p ossibly c hronological) d istribution, a nd a re n ot a ll m ade f rom t he s ame r aw m aterial: h ow m uch a llowance s hould b e m ade i n t he d efinition f or n on-intentional v ariation? A s s everal d ifferent w orkers h ave i ndependently a nd u nder a v ariety o f n ames r ecognised t he b out c oupe f orm a s a d efinite b iface-type o r c lass, i t m ay c ertainly b e c onsidered a v alid p roposition t hat s uch a g roup d oes e xist. H owever, i f n o e asy m etrical d efinition c an b e s uggested, -how c an t he t ruth o f t his a ssumption b e t ested? T he q uestion i s e ssentially o ne o f t ypology a nd c lassification, a s i n a lmost a ll c ases w e a re l acking a ny s upporting a rchaeological i nformation ( e.g. d etails o f r ecovery, d ating o r a ssociated a rtifacts); t hat t his i s a c lear d isadvantage h as b een s tated b y M almer ( 1962, 5 7): T he e xpediency o f a t ype, w hether i t c oncerns t he s tudy o f c hronology o r c ultural r elationships, i s a ll t he m ore s uperior: 1 . T he m ore c learly a t ype i s d efined 2 . T he m ore n umerous t he o bjects i nside t he t ype 3 . T he m ore i ndependent t he e lements u nder c onsideration a re o f o ne a nother 4 . T he g reater t he p roportion o f t he g eneral n umber i ndependent t ypological e lements t hat i s i dentical i n t hese o bjects

o f a ll

W hen c onsidering t he b out c oupe h andaxe w e a re c onsidering a v ery s mall p roportion o f t he t otal B ritish h andaxe p opulation ( c. 1 00 b ifaces o ut o f a t otal o f c . 3 8,000) T here a re t wo a pproaches w hich c an b e t aken i n t his t ype o f w ork:

1 5

1 . T o e xamine t he a ttributes o f e very B ritish b iface, a nd t hen a ttempt t o d etermine b y a c omparative s tudy w hether t he b out c oupe t ype r eally e xists. E ven w ith t he a id o f a c omputer t his t ype o f r esearch w ould b e i mpossible f or o ne p erson t o c omplete a ccurately i n a l ifetime. T o c onfine t he s tudy t o t hose h andaxes r ecovered f rom w ell-recorded a ssemblages w ould n ot b e a v alid a pproach a s t he b out c oupe i s i n a lmost e very c ase f ound a s a n i solated i mplement, a nd m ay h ave b een s pecifically d esigned a s s uch. 2 . T o a ccept t he i nitial h ypothesis t hat a d efinite b out c oupe t ype d oes e xist i n B ritain, a nd t hen b y s tudying r ecorded e xamples t o d etermine w hether t here i s a ny j ustification f or t he i nitial a ssumption. T his i s t he a pproach t aken i n t his m onograph; a s omewhat s imilar m ethod w as r ecently u sed b y M orris a nd S carre ( 1981) i n t heir s tudy o f M oulin-de-Vent p ercoirs. T he p resent s tudy o f t he b out c oupe h andaxe s tarted w ith a n e xtensive r evision o f R oe's p ublished l ist o f b out c oupe type b ifaces ( 1981, 2 54-67) u sing t he f ollowing i nitially n on-metrical d efinition d erived f rom t he c onclusions o f p revious w orkers: A f ully b ifacial a nd w ell-made s ymmetrical h andaxe w ith a r efined ( either f lat o r p lano-convex) c ross-section, a nd a s traight o r .s lightly c onvex b utt-edge s howing a m arked d iscontinuity o f c urvature a t i ts i ntersection w ith e ach s ide. T he t ip i s s lightly r ounded, a nd t he s ides a re c onvex. S everal h andaxes w ere r emoved f rom t he l ist o n m orphological g rounds, a nd a f ew n ew d iscoveries w ere a dded. A ll t he h andaxes s tudied a re d escribed i n d etail i n t he c atalogue g iven i n C hapter 3 , w hile T ables 1 a nd 2 s ummarise t his i nformation. A ny l ess t ypical o r " in-between" p ieces ( more s ub-cordate, m ore s ub-triangular a nd m ore r ectangular h andaxes) w ere c learly r ecorded a s s uch, a lthough b y i ts v ery n ature t he d efinition u sed d eliberately e xcluded a ny m ore i rregular o r l ess w ell-made b ifaces f rom t he s tudy. T he h andaxes w ere t hen s ubjected t o a m ore d etailed a nalysis t o t est t he h ypothesis t hat t hey d o f orm a t rue t ype; a t ype b eing h ere d efined a s a g roup o r c lass o f i tems t hat i s i nternally c ohesive a nd s eparated f rom o ther g roups b y o ne o r m ore d iscontinuities ( after W hallon a nd B rown 1 982).

1 6

C HAPTER 3 AC ATALOGUE O F B RITISH B OUT C OUPE B IFACES

T he h andaxes p resented i n t he c atalogue b elow h ave a ll b een f ollowing t he d efinition d iscussed i n C hapter 2 ( p 1 6):

c lassified

Af ully b ifacial a nd w ell-made s ymmetrical h andaxe w ith a r efined ( either f lat o r p lano-convex) c ross-section, a nd a s traight o r s lightly c onvex b utt-edge s howing a m arked d iscontinuity o f c urvature a t i ts i ntersection w ith e ach s ide. T he t ip i s s lightly r ounded, a nd t he s ides a re c onvex. T hey h ave b een g rouped o n a r egional b asis, e ach r egion b eing d etermined b y n atural g eographical b oundaries, i n p articular p resent-day r iver s ystems. T his w ould a ppear t o b e a m ore a ppropriate a nd u seful w ay o f p resenting t he a vailable i nformation t han R oe's ( 1981, 2 54-67) l isting o f t he h andaxes u nder t heir m odern c ounties. F igure 3 .1 s hows b oth t he d istribution o f t he b ifaces u nder c onsideration a nd t he d ivision o f B ritain i nto t en b asic r egions ( A-J). F igure 3 .2 i llustrates t he m ajority o f t he b ifaces. T able 1 s ummarises t he i nformation i n t his c atalogue, a nd T able 2 r e-lists t he h andaxes u nder t heir m odern c ounties f or r eference p urposes; f rom t his t able t he c hanges f rom R oe's l ist c an b e q uickly p icked o ut. E ach h andaxe h as b een g iven a c atalogue n umber ( written i n p arentheses) w hich i s u sed i n t he t ext t o r efer t o t hat s pecific p iece. A ll m easurements a re g iven t o t he r epresent 5 cm .

n earest

w hole

n umber;

s cale

M ajor p ublished r eferences t o t he b ifaces h ave b een i ncluded c atalogue , p resented i n o rder o f t heir p ublication d ate.

i n

b ars

t he

A lthough e very e ffort h as b een t aken t o e nsure t hat t his l ist i s a s c omplete a s p ossible , t here m ay w ell b e af ew f urther e xamples w aiting t o b e r e-discovered i n c ertain s mall m useums a nd p rivate c ollections.

1 7

F IGURE 3 .1: T HE D ISTRIBUTION O F B RITISH B OUT C OUPE B IFACES T he l etters A -J i ndicate t en g eographical r egions d efined o n t he b asis o f m odern g eography: t he c atalogue o f B ritish b out c oups h andaxes i s o rganised a ccording t o t hese r egions :

A . E ast A nglia a nd t he O use R iver s ystem B . T he T hames V alley a nd T hames t ributaries C . K ent w ith E asternmost S urrey D . S outh E ast c oast a nd t he S ussex W eald E . S outh c oast a nd h interland f rom B eer H ead t o S elsey F . A von G . T he S omerset P lain a nd t he s urrounding h ills H .

S outh W est E ngland

I . W ales J . M ore N orthern f inds

R EGION A : E AST A NGLIA A ND T HE O USE R IVER S YSTEM W ymer ( 1985, 1 ) u ses t he t erm E ast A nglia t o c over t hat p art o f s outh e ast B ritain b etween t he R iver T hames a nd t he N orfolk c oast, t hus i ncluding t he w hole o f t he c ounties o f N orfolk , S uffolk a nd E ssex w ith p arts o f C ambridgeshire, H ertfordshire a nd L ondon. T he p resent w riter f elt t hat i t w ould i n m any w ays b e b etter a nd m ore u seful t o e xtend t his r egion t o i nclude t he w hole o f t he O use R iver a nd i ts d rainage s ystem , w hich a ctually e xtends a s f ar t o t he s outh w est a s B uckinghamshire, r ather t han i mposing a s omewhat a rtificial c ut-off p oint t o c oincide w ith t he s quares o f t he N ational G rid. F or s imilar r easons, n o p art o f t he T hames o r i ts t ributaries h ave b een i ncluded i n t he r egion. I t i s a pparent f rom F igure 3 .1 t hat t he m ajority o f t he b out c oupe b ifaces r ecovered f rom E ast A nglia a re a ctually a ssociated w ith t he O use R iver a nd i ts t ributaries. E ast A nglia h as s everal g ood s ources o f h igh q uality f lint a vailable, a nd w ould h ave p resumably f ormed a d esirable o ccupation z one d uring t he I pswichian a nd a t l east t he e arlier p art o f t he D evensian ( before t he m aximum e xtent o f t he i ce s heet).

1 8

1 9

A .1: T he O use R iver s ystem ( 1,2) L ittle C ressingham a nd S aham T oney, N orfolk ( c. T F 8 87003) B oth b ifaces r etained b y t heir f inder, M r R obin B rown. T hese h andaxes h ave b een r ecorded i n d etail b y L awson ( 1978, 1 -8). T he f irst b iface w as f ound o n t he s outh-east b ank o f t he B lackwater S tream , C hurch M eadow , L ittle C ressingham P arish. T he B lackwater i s a t ributary o f t he W issey, i tself a t ributary o f t he G reat O use. T he h andaxe w as a pparently u ncovered d uring t he a rtificial r ecutting o f t he s tream a nd i ts b ed ( Lawson 1 978, 1 ); L awson e stimated t hat i t h ad c ome f rom t he b ase o f a p oorly g raded s andy g ravel r esting o n a b lue/orange s ilty c lay w ith f lint i nclusions, l ying j ust a bove t he s tream l evel. B oth t hese s ediments l ay i n a n e xtinct s tream c hannel c ut i nto t he u nderlying c halky b oulder c lay. A p ollen s ample t aken f rom t he s ilty c lay p roved i nconclusive, s uggesting e ither a n i nterglacial o r a n i nterstadial w arm p eriod. A s W ymer ( 1985, 5 1) p oints o ut, t he p resence o f a t l east o ne i ce-wedge c ast p enetrating t he g ravel s uggests t hat a t l east o ne c old p eriod o ccurred a fter t he d eposition o f t he b iface. L awson f elt t hat t he b iface s hould, o n p urely t ypological g rounds, p robably b e d ated t o a n e arlier p hase o f t he D evensian; t he p ollen e vidence i s c ertainly n ot i nconsistent w ith t his s uggestion. T he s econd h andaxe w as r ecovered s ix y ears l ater a s a s urface f ind 2 00 y ards f rom t he f ind-spot o f t he f irst b iface. I t l ay o n t he s outh-east b ank o f t he B lackwater i n t he P arish o f S aham T oney, a nd h ad c ome f rom m aterial c ut f rom t he b ank a nd b ed o f t he s tream. N o p recise s tratigraphic p rovenance c ould b e d etermined f or t his h andaxe. A t hird, m ore p ointed, h andaxe w as f ound a t t he s ite i n 1 981. U nlike t he o ther b ifaces i t i s s lightly r olled a nd s tained ( Wymer 1 985, 5 9), a nd a s i t w as n ot r ecovered i n s itu t here i s n o e vidence t hat i t w as e ver a ssociated w ith t he o ther t wo f inds. ( 1) L ittle C ressingham ; F igure 3 .2(1) L 1 37mm , B 9 6mm, T 2 8mm. Aw ell-made b iface w ith a f lat-butted c ordate p lanform, c onvex s ides, a r ounded t ip a nd s lightly r ounded b utt. T he " angles" a t t he j unction o f t he b ase a nd t he s ides a re v ery c lear. T he p rofile i s s lightly p iano-convex, w ith a s light t wist t o t he t ip; t he c utting-edge r uns s traight r ound t he c ircumference. T here a re s ome d elicate s oft-hammer f lake s cars o n e ach f ace, a nd n o u nworked a reas. I t i s m ade f rom a d ark b rown f lint a nd i s u npatinated a nd i n a n e xtremely f resh c ondition, a lthough t he r ounded t ip h as s uffered s ome s light d amage; e xamination u nder a l ow-powered m icroscope r evealed e vidence o f w ater r olling w hich m ade t he h andaxe u nsuitable f or m icrowear a nalysis. ( 2) S aham T oney; F igure 3 .2(2) L 1 14mm, B 8 2mm, T 2 5mm. A f resh, u npatinated, b out c oupe c ordate w ith s ome b attering o n t he e dges a nd o n t he f lake r idges. I n p lanform a nd g eneral c ondition i t i s s trikingly s imilar t o t he b iface d escribed a bove; t he p roximity o f t he f ind-spots s uggests t hat t hey m ay h ave b een m anufactured b y t he s ame w orker. I n p rofile t his b iface i s f latter a nd u ntwisted. T here a re e legant f lat s oft-hammer f lake r emovals o n b oth f aces, b ut o ne f ace h as a s mall p atch o f r esidual c ortex c lose t o o ne e dge. T he s traight c utting-edge r uns a ll r ound t he p iece. R eferences ( 1) L awson 1 978, 1 -8, F ig. 4 a,c. ( 2) W ymer 1 985, 5 1.

2 0

F igure 3 .2

( 1) L ittle C ressingham

( 2) S aham T oney

2 1

( 3) S anton D ownham , S uffolk ( c. T L 8 37870); F igure 3 .2(3) B ritish M useum ( Sturge C ollection 2 44) T his i mplement w as f ound i n 1 868 ; t here a re n o f urther d etails o f i ts p rovenance o r d iscovery. A n umber o f h andaxes a re k nown f rom S anton D ownham ( Wymer 1 985, 1 06-7). T he m ajority a ppear t o h ave c ome f rom a g ravel p it n ear L ittle L odge F arm ( TL 8 41867) b ut, a s f ew a re m arked w ith p recise p rovenances , i t c annot b e c ertain t hat t hey a ll c ame f rom t he s ame p it. U nlike t he h andaxe d escribed b elow , t hey a re m ainly u npatinated a nd i n a f resh c ondition. R oe h as s tudied t his m aterial, c lassing i t a s " Group I V , g eneralised" ( 1981, 1 54). W ymer ( ibid) i dentifies o vates a nd c ordates a s t he d ominant h andaxe t ype. O nly o ne L evallois f lake h as b een f ound. L 1 26mm , B8 4mm , T 2 8mm. A f lat a nd r efined b iface w ith o ne r ough u nworked c orner o n t he b utt. I ts p lanform s hows a t ypically r ounded t ip, s quared b utt a nd c onvex s ides, a lthough d amage h as m ade t he p iece s lightly a symmetrical. T here a re f ine f lake s cars o n b oth f aces. I n p rofile t he h andaxe a ppears b iconvex a nd t he c utting-edge i s s traight. I t h as a w hite p atina o n b oth f aces , a nd i s w eathered a nd s omewhat r olled. R eferences ( 1) R .A . S mith 1 931, 4 6 ,49, F ig. 2 44. ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 65. ( 4) T hetford, N orfolk ( c. T L 8 70830) B ritish M useum , N atural H istory T here i s n o r ecorded p rovenance f or t his h andaxe, a lthough W ymer s uggests ( 1985 , 14) i t i s h ighly l ikely t hat a rtifacts m arked s imply " Thetford" a ctually c ome f rom R edhill, T hetford ( TL 8 58848). A s t he N atural H istory M useum T hetford c ollection ( some i mplements m arked " Thetford", s ome " Redhill" ) s eems t o b e ac ollection m ade a t o ne t ime f rom o ne p lace , t his m ay w ell b e s o. H owever, a s t he b out c oupe h andaxe i s i n ad ifferent c ondition f rom t he r est o f t his c ollection, i t c annot b e a ssumed t hat i t w as o riginally a ssociated w ith a ny o f t he o ther T hetford f inds. W ymer ( 1985) i llustrates t he t ypology o f t he R edhill b ifaces. T his h andaxe i s i n af airly s harp c ondition , b ut i t h as a l ustrous w hite p atina o n b oth f aces. I n o utline-shape i t i s s lightly m ore s ub-triangular t han i s u sual i n t his c lass; R oe ( 1981, 2 63) d escribes i t a s a " classic s ub-triangular b out c oupe", b ut i t f its w ell w ithin t he d efinition o f b out c oupe u sed b y t he p resent w riter. W ymer ( 1985, 14) a grees w ith t his a ssessment. T he h andaxe i s r efined, w ith s hallow 1 f lake r emovals f rom b oth f aces, a nd t he c utting-edge e xtends c ompletely r ound t he p iece. R eferences ( 1) R oe 1 981, 2 63. ( 2) W ymer 1 985, 14. ( 5) E lveden, S uffolk ( c. T L 8 20799); F igure 3 .2(5) B ritish M useum ( Sturge 1 00) T here a re n o d etails o f t he d iscovery o r e xact p rovenance o f t his h andaxe. E lveden b rickpit ( TL 8 09804) i s k nown t o h ave b een a p rolific A cheulian s ite , p roducing a t l east 7 4 b ifaces a nd 6 00 f lakes ( Paterson a nd F agg, 1 940 ; s ee a lso W ymer 1 985, 10-13). T here i s n o e vidence, h owever, t o s uggest t hat t his w hite p atinated b out c oups w as l inked w ith t he A cheulian m aterial, m uch o f w hich w as o btained i n ac ontrolled e xcavation, a nd i t i s w orth n oting t hat v ery l ittle o f t he A cheulian m aterial h as a ny w hite p atination. L 1 15mm , B 7 7mm , T3 0mm.

2 2

T he h andaxe i s m ade f rom g rey f lint b ut h as a l ustrous w hite p atina o n o ne f ace a nd a m ore m ottled g rey/white p atina o n t he o ther. I t i s i n a n u nrolled c ondition, w ith s ome s igns o f w eathering a nd s light m echanical d amages t o t he e dges. I n p lanform i t i s s omewhat a symmetrical, o ne " corner" b eing s lightly h igher t han t he o ther, b ut i t d oes d isplay t he c haracteristic s quared b utt, r ounded t ip a nd s lightly c onvex s ides o f t he t ypical b out c oupe. I t h as s ome d elicate f lake r emovals o n b oth f aces, a nd t here i s o ne s mall r oughly w orked a rea ( or i nclusion?). I n p rofile t he h andaxe h as a d efinite t wist, a nd t he c utting-edge e xtends c ompletely a round t he c ircumference o f t he p iece. R eferences ( 1) R .A . S mith 1 931, 1 4-15, F ig. 1 00. ( 2) P aterson a nd F agg 1 940, 1 3, F ig. 9 . ( 3) R oe 1 981, 2 64, F ig. 6 :8 ,4. ( 4) W ymer 1 985, 12. F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 3) S anton D ownham

( 5) E lveden 2 3

( 6) I cklingham W arren, S uffolk ( c. T L 7 70740); F igure 3 .2(6) C ambridge U niversity M useum ( 27.528) N o d etails o f t he p rovenance o r d iscovery o f t his b iface h ave b een r ecorded. L 1 06mm , B 7 9mm, T 2 7mm. Ar elatively s mall a nd w eathered h andaxe ( perhaps a s urface f ind?) w hich h as s uffered r ecent m echanical d amage t o t he t ip. T here i s a w hite p atina o n b oth f aces; t he d amage r eveals t hat t he h andaxe w as m ade f rom a d ark f lint. I t h as a t ypical s traight-butted c ordate p lanform w ith t wo c lear a ngles a t t he i ntersection o f t he b utt w ith t he s ides, a nd h as b een w ell m ade, w ith n o r esidual c ortex p atches. I n p rofile i t i s s omewhat p lano-convex, w ith t he s traight c utting-edge r unning a ll r ound t he p iece. R eferences ( 1) R oe 1 981, 2 65. ( 2) W ymer 1 985, 1 32.

( 7) B urnt F en, C ambridgeshire ( c. T L 6 10870); F igure 3 .2(7) C ambridge U niversity M useum ( 98.83) N o d etails o f t he d iscovery o r p rovenance o f t his h andaxe a re k nown ; t he n ame B urnt F en c an b e a pplied t o a t l east 4 0 s quare k ilometres o f f enland ( Wymer 1 985, 7 5). L 12mm , B 7 8mm , T 2 4mm . A c lassic f lat-butted b out c oupe i mplement, w ith t he t ypical " loaf-shaped" o utline a nd a s light t wist t o t he p rofile. T here i s a w hite p atina o n b oth f aces, a nd t his h as b een a ccidentally c hipped t o r eveal a d ark f lint b eneath. T he t ip h as s uffered s ome d amage, b ut t here a re t wo p robable t ranchet s cars, o ne o n e ach f ace. T he e dge r uns a round t he i mplement, a nd i s s traight. T he h andaxe i s i n a f airly f resh c ondition. R eferences ( 1) R oe 1 981, 2 55. ( 2) W ymer 1 985, 7 9.

2 4

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 6) I cklingham W arren

( 7) B urnt F en

2 5

( 8) H orningsea , C ambridgeshire ( c. T L 4 94626); F igure 3 .2(8) S edgwick M useum , C ambridge ( SMX .1351) N o d etails o f t he d iscovery o r e xact p rovenance o f t his h andaxe a re r ecorded. L 1 08mm , B8 4mm , T 2 6mm . At ypical m edium-sized b out c oup gb iface w ith c learly d istinct a ngles a t t he i ntersection o f t he b utt w ith t he s ides. T he i mplement h as s light d amage t o t he t ip a nd t he e dges, b ut i s i n a f airly f resh c ondition, a nd i s u npatinated. T he c utting-edge r uns a ll r ound t he h andaxe a nd i s s traight. T here i s n o t wist t o t he f lat p rofile. R eferences ( 1) R oe 1 981, 2 55. ( 2) W ymer 1 985, 7 7.

( 9) L inton, C ambridgeshire ( c. T L 5 60460); F igure 3 .2(9) I pswich M useum ( 1927-82.33) N o f urther d etails o f t he d iscovery o r p rovenance o f t his h andaxe a re k nown. T here i s a L evallois f lake-blade, a lso m arked " Linton", i n I pswich M useum . L 1 35mm , B8 5mm , T 2 8mm. T he h andaxe i s ar elatively l arge b ut t ypically-shaped f lat-butted b out c oups . I t h as b een m ade f rom a d ark f lint a nd n ow h as a t hick w hite p atina o n b oth f aces, a nd s ome s light t races o f i ron s taining. T he i mplement i s s lightly w orn. T here a re s ome f ine s oft-hammer f lake s cars, i ncluding a t ranchet s car o n e ach f ace , a nd s ome d eeper f lake s cars w hich m ay i ndicate t he u se o f a h ard-hammer. I n p rofile t he h andaxe i s s lightly p lano-convex, a nd a s traight c utting-edge r uns a ll r ound t he c ircumference. T here a re n o p atches o f r esidual c ortex. R eferences ( 1) R oe 1 981, 2 55. ( 2) W ymer 1 985, 1 93.

( 10) F enstanton P it, C ambridgeshire ( TL 3 07685); F igure 3 .2(10) N orris M useum , S t. I ves ( 307685 X 389) T he h andaxe w as f ound i n t he r egion o f t he g ravel p its l ying b etween F enstanton a nd t he S t. I ves-Hilton C rossroads, t o t he s outh o f t he m ain C ambridge-Huntingdon R oad. A f ew f lakes f rom t his a rea a re a lso h oused i n t he N orris M useum , S t. I ves. L 1 28mm , B9 4mm , T 2 7mm. A r elatively b road b ut t ypically " loaf-shaped" b out c oupe b iface w ith a f airly l arge a rea o f c ortex o n t he b utt. T he h andaxe i s r efined a nd s lightly p iano-convex i n p rofile, a nd h as a s light t wist t o t he c utting-edge. I t h as b een m ade f rom a b lack f lint, a nd o ne f ace n ow h as a p atchy w hite p atina, t he o ther s ome o range s taining. I t i s i n a lmost m int c ondition , a lthough s lightly a braded a round t he e dges. R eferences ( 1) C oote 1 952, 4 1, F ig. 1 . ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 55.

2 6

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 8) H orningsea

( 10) F enstanton

2 7

( 11) L ittle P axton, C ambridgeshire ( c. T L 1 87621); F igure 3 .2(11a) C ambridge U niversity M useum. ( 32.148) T he G reat O use V alley p alaeoliths o f t he S t. N eots r egion h ave b een d escribed i n d etail b y P aterson a nd T ebbutt ( 1947). T hey g ive t he f ollowing s ection f or t he L ower T errace o f t he O use a t L ittle P axton ( 1947, 3 7): 6 5 4 3 2 1

B rown, f luviatile f lint g ravel E rosion l ayer o f d isconformity B ed o f y ellow-brown c lay L ens o f s andy l oam C ompact w ell-bedded f luviatile g ravels [ implements] B oulders a nd l arge p ebbles O xford c lay

T he i mplementiferous g ravel l ay a t a bout 1 7m O .D . ( Wymer 1 985, 7 5), 3 -4m a bove p resent r iver l evel. A nimal r emains f rom t his t errace i nclude m ammoth, r eindeer a nd h orse, a nd s uggest t hat t he t errace i s o f D evensian a ge, t he l ower l evels b eing e arly D evensian ( Roe 1 981, 24). 2 T he n ext, o lder, t errace h as a c learly d istinct f auna, i ncluding h ippopotamus, g iant d eer a nd o x. I n 1 927 a m ixed s eries o f a rtifacts w as r ecovered f rom t hree p its i n P axton P ark ( on t he l eft b ank o f t he R iver O use) c utting i nto t he l ower t errace. T hese w ere d ivided b y P aterson a nd T ebbutt ( op. c it., 3 8) o n t he b asis o f t heir c ondition i nto t wo g roups; g roup A " worn a nd p atinated a nd c oloured b rown o r w hite", a nd g roup B " patinated g rey w ith i ron s tain", o r " black a nd l ustrous". I t w as p resumed t hat t he w orn g roup A w as t he o lder a ssemblage, p ossibly o lder t han t he t errace i tself. U nfortunately t here w as n o f ormal a rchaeological e xcavation a t t he s ite, a nd t he m ajority o f t he i mplements w ere n ot r ecovered i n s itu b ut c ame f rom h eaps o f g ravel d ug o ut o f t he p its ( Tebbutt, M arr a nd B urkitt 1 927, 1 66). T here a re n o d etails a vailable t o i ndicate w hether t he t wo g roups w ere r ecovered f rom d ifferent l evels, a nd s o n either C allow ( 1976) n or R oe ( 1967) i ncluded t he m aterial i n t heir m etrical a nalyses. P aterson a nd T ebbutt ( 1947) r ecord 8 b ifaces, o ver 2 00 f lakes a nd 2 c ores f or G roup A , a nd a t l east 7 b ifaces a nd 3 0 f lakes f or g roup B . B oth s eries i nclude L evalloisian a rtifacts ( flakes a nd f lake-blades), a nd t here a re m any u nfaceted p rimary f lakes, t ypical h andaxe t rimmers a nd f lake t ools. U nfortunately, t he e xact n umber o f a rtifacts i nitially r ecovered i s n ot k nown, a nd m uch o f t he o riginal m aterial n ow s eems t o h ave b een l ost; s ome w as c ertainly d estroyed d uring t he S econd W orld W ar, a nd R oe ( 1968a, 1 32) h as i ndicated t hat m uch m aterial m arked s imply " Little P axton" m ay b e o riginally f rom t he P ark. S everal b ifaces a re i ncluded i n t he m ajor s urviving c ollection ( Cambridge U niversity M useum), a mongst t hem a t l east t wo h andaxes w hich h ave b een d escribed a s t ypical b out c oupet ypes , b oth b elonging t o t he u nworn a nd u npatinated g roup B ( Paterson a nd . T ebbutt 1 947, 4 1). R oe ( 1981, 2 25) a ccepted t hree o f t he b ifaces a s b out c oup gf orms ( Figure 3 .2[11a-c]), o ne b eing a r ather u nusual t riangular p iece. O nly o ne t rue b out c oupe, a s d efined a bove, w as a ccepted b y t he p resent w riter ( Figure 3 .2[11a]); a lthough a t l east f ive o ther b ifaces i n t he C ambridge U niversity M useum h ave a d efinite s traight o r s lightly c urved b utt-edge ( D .M . C ollins' " Paxton b utt"; C ollins a nd C ollins 1 970), t hey l acked t he r equired d egree o f s ymmetry a nd r efinement t o q ualify.

2 8

L9 7mm , B6 7mm , T 2 2mm . T he f lat-butted c ordate b out c oupe h andaxe i s m ade o f b lack u npatinated f lint a nd i s i n a lmost m int c ondition w ith o nly s light a brasion a pparent o n t he f lake r idges. I t h as a m arkedly f lat p rofile, w ith t he c utting-edge r unning s traight r ound t he c ircumference, a nd h as s ome f ine s hallow f lake r emovals o n b oth f aces. T here i s a s mall p atch o f r esidual c ortex, a nd t here a re n o t ranchet s cars o n t he t ip. R eferences ( 1) P aterson a nd T ebbutt 1 947, 4 0, F ig. 3 a. ( 2) M ellars 1 974, 6 3, F ig. 5 . ( 3) R oe 1 981, 2 25, 2 55, F ig. 5 :53. ( 4) W oodcock 1 981, 3 64, F ig. 1 71:3.

F igure 3 .2 C ont. ( 11) L ittle P axton

1• 13 13

2 9

M I M I

( 12) B iggleswade G ravel P it, B edfordshire ( c. T L 1 93445); F igure 3 .2(12) C ambridge U niversity M useum ( 7.31284) N o d etails o f p rovenance o r d iscovery a re k nown f or t his a rtifact. L 1 62mm , B 1 11mm , T 2 5mm. A r elatively l arge b out c oupe h andaxe, w ith a s lightly h igher p osition o f m aximum b readth a nd s traighter s ides t han i s u sual. I t h as a w hite p atina w ith s ome o range i ron s tains, a nd i s s omewhat w orn. S light m odern d amage t o t he e dges r eveals t hat i t w as m ade f rom a b lue-grey f lint. T he h andaxe h as b een w ell w orked, w ith s ome g ood f ine s hallow s oft-hammer f laking o n b oth f aces a nd o ne t ranchet s car o n t he t ip. T here i s n o t wist t o t he p rofile, a nd t he c utting-edge r uns a ll r ound t he b iface a nd i s s traight. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 54.

( 13) B edford, B edfordshire ( c. T L 0 50500); F igure 3 .2(13) W ells M useum ( AS.31) " Upper G ravels" i s w ritten o n t he i mplement, b ut t here a re n o f urther d etails o f , i ts p rovenance o r d iscovery. L 1 00mm, B 7 9mm, T 2 4mm. A f lat-butted c ordate h andaxe w ith d efinite a ngles a t t he b utt a nd a r ounded t ip, b ut s ides w hich a re p erhaps s lightly s traighter t han i s u sual. I n p rofile i t a ppears r efined a nd s omewhat p lano-convex; t he c utting-edge, w hich r uns a ll a round t he p iece, i s s traight. T he l ess f lat f ace b ears a s mall p atch o f r esidual c ortex. T here a re n o s igns o f a t ranchet f inish t o e ither f ace. I t h as b een m ade f rom a d ark f lint, a nd h as a b luish-white p atina w hich i s m ore p ronounced o n t he c onvex f ace. T here h as b een s ome s light m echanical d amage t o t he b iface, a nd i t i s s lightly w orn. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 54.

3 0

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 12) B iggleswade

( 13) B edford 3 1

A .2: T he R iver O rwell a nd i ts t ributaries

( 14) I pswich: B ramford R oad, S uffolk ( c. T M 1 40457); F igure 3 .2(14a) B ritish M useum ; C ambridge U niversity M useum ; I pswich M useum ; P itt R ivers M useum, O xford R eid M oir ( 1931, 1 86) m entions t he d ifficulties w hich h e e ncountered t rying t o o bserve s ections c ut i nto t he F loodplain T errace o f t he R iver G ipping a s " in m ost p laces w ater i s f ound a bout 4 ft b elow t he s urface, a nd t his e ffectually p revents a ny o rdinary d igging b eing c arried o ut i n t he t errace". H owever, h e w as a ble t o o bserve f our c ommercially c ut s ections; a t B ramford R oad, C onstantine R oad, H adleigh R oad a nd S proughton R oad. F rom t hese e xposures h e w as a ble t o d raw u p a c omposite s ection, r emarking h ow c onstant t he s uccession o f b eds a ppeared o ver a f airly w ide a rea ( op. c it, 1 88): 6 . S urface h umus t o 9 in 5 . S and a nd l oams ( sometimes c ontorted), a lso p eat, N eolithic a nd M agdalenian i mplements t o 5 ft 4 . S tratified g ravel w ith d erived i mplements t o 1 5ft 3 . B lue l oam , w ith u nrolled e arly S olutrean i mplements t o 3 ft 2 . P eaty l oam, w ith C ombe C apelle E arly M ousterian i mplements t o 4 ft 1 . S hingly g ravel, d epth u nknown ( ?buried c hannel) T he f our s ites p roduced o ver 2 000 a rtifacts o f v arying a ges, t he m ost i mportant f rom t he p oint o f v iew o f t his m onograph b eing C onstantine R oad a nd B ramford R oad. C onstantine R oad ( c. T M 1 55442): C onstantine R oad l ies o n t he f loodplain o f t he R iver O rwell. D uring t he c onstruction o f a g enerating p lant a " floor o f C ombe C apelle a ge" ( a l ayer o f u nworn M ousterian i mplements) w as f ound i n s itu l ying i n a p eaty l oam ( [2] o n t he s ection g iven a bove; M oir 1 918); a f ew m ore a braded p ieces w ere c onsidered b y M oir t o b e t he r esult o f d isturbance d uring g ravel d eposition. T his l oam l ay a t t he b ase o f t he F loodplain T errace, a pparently a bove t he b uried c hannel r ecorded o n t he s ection. U nfortunately, M oir d oes n ot i llustrate a ny o f t hese p ieces, a nd v ery f ew o f t hem s eem t o h ave s urvived. T here a re n ow o nly t wo s ub-cordiform h andaxes, o ne s lightly m ore i rregular h andaxe a nd t wo l arge t ypical L evalloisian f lakes i n I pswich M useum . M oir b elieved h is f inds t o b e t he s ame k ind a s t hose r ecovered f rom B ramford R oad. " Upper P alaeolithic" m aterial w as r ecovered f rom a b lue l oam [ 3] b etween t he p eaty l oam a nd t he F loodplain g ravel ( Moir o p. c it.); t his i ncluded t hree b ifacially w orked l eaf p oints n ow h oused i n I pswich M useum .

3 2

B ramford R oad ( TM 1 40457): B ramford R oad h as y ielded t he l argest n umber o f M ousterian-type b ifaces a nd L evalloisian f lakes t o b e r ecovered f rom o ne s ite i n B ritain. U nfortunately, i t w as n ever f ormally e xcavated b y a rchaeologists: T he m ost p rolific a rea i s t hat e xploited b y M essrs. W arren L ivingstone, L td., o n t he B ramford R oad, w here a p owerful s uction p lant h as b een i nstalled f or r aising t he g ravel. T he p ump o perates u nder w ater, a nd a s t he w ork p roceeds, a l arge l ake-like e xpanse i s b eing f ormed. T he s ucked-up m aterial c omes a shore, a nd i s d ischarged i nto r otary s ieves w hich a gain d eposit t he f lints i n h eaps, o f w hich t he s izes o f t he s tones d iffer. ( Moir 1 931, 1 87) T his m ethod o f e xtraction d oes n ot s eem t o h ave p revented a q uantity o f m aterial, i ncluding s tone t ools, b ones a nd m ammoth t eeth, f rom b eing r etrieved e ither i ntact o r w ith o nly s light m echanical d amage, b ut i t d oes p reclude a ny p recise s tratigraphic p rovenance f or t his m aterial. M oir ( op. c it.) m entions t hat s everal o f t he r ecovered p ieces w ere c overed i n a p eaty l oam s imilar t o t hat o bserved o n t he C onstantine R oad p ieces ( one b iface b eing r ecovered w ithin a l ump o f t he l oam), a nd d educed t hat t hey h ad c ome f rom t he s ame p eaty l oam d eposit ( [2] o n t he s ection a bove). A t l east 1 00 b ifaces w ere r ecovered f rom t he s ite, w ith r efined c ordates, s ub-cordates a nd s ub-ovates f orming t he d ominant h andaxe-type. T he m ajority o f t he b ifaces s eem t o h ave b een m ade o n f lakes ( possibly b ut n ot d efinitely L evalloisian f lakes), a nd f ew a re t wisted i n p rofile. A lthough i t c annot b e s tated f or c ertain t hat t here a re n ot t w9 o r m ore a ssemblages m ixed t ogether, t he g eneral t ypological u nity s uggests t hat t his i s e ssentially o ne " Mousterian" g roup; g eneral c ondition a nd p atination a re n ot m uch o f a g uide i n t his r espect a s t here s eems t o b e a w ide v ariation i n a ppearance, s ome h andaxes a ppearing u nworn a nd u npatinated, o thers b eing b oth w orn a nd p atinated c halky w hite o n b oth f aces. P resumably t he w orn i mplements c ame f rom t he g ravel, a nd i t c ould b e t hat t wo M ousterian s eries ( worn a nd u nworn) a re p resent. H owever, n o c ondition i s s pecific t o a ny p articular a rtifact t ype, a nd W ymer ( 1985, 2 14) a grees t hat c ollection c annot b e s ub-divided o n t he g rounds o f c ondition a lone.

t he

T en s crapers ( 6 s idescrapers, 3 e ndscrapers a nd o ne i rregular p iece) a nd a f ew u nspecific r etouched f lake-tools f rom t he s ite a re n ow h oused i n I pswich M useum. L evallois m aterial, i ncluding o ver 5 0 t ypical f lakes a nd a t l east t en t ypical p repared c ores, w as a lso r ecovered f rom t he s ite, a nd h undreds o f u nretouched p rimary f lakes a re k nown, a lthough t here a re v ery f ew h andaxe t rimming f lakes i n t he c ollections. A b lade c ore, s everal b lades a nd s ome l eafpoints ( Wymer 1 985, 2 14) a re m ost p robably U pper P alaeolithic, a nd a f ew o f t he r etouched f lakes a lso a ppear t o b e o f l ate d ate ( ibid). I f t he h andaxes c ould b e s hown t o b e d efinitely a ssociated w ith t he m ammoth, e lephant, r hinoceros a nd r eindeer r emains r ecorded b y M oir, a D evensian d ate f or t he m ain a ssemblage w ould s eem t o b e i ndicated ( Wymer e t a l. 1 975; W ymer 1 985, 2 14).

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R oe ( 1981, 2 65) a ccepted s even i mplements f rom B ramford R oad a s " falling w ithin t he b out c oup gr ange , s ome b eing g ood t ypical e xamples a nd s ome r ather i rregular". T he p resent w riter f eels t hat a lthough m any o f t he h andaxes d o a pproach t he b out c ou l 5e o r f lat-butted c ordate s hape, n one o f t he s even c an s trictly b e c onsidered t ypical e xamples u nder t he d efinition u sed h ere . H owever , o ne o ther h andaxe ( Figure 3 .2[14a]) d oes a ppear t o h ave b een a t ypical b out c oups b iface; u nfortunately t his p iece i s b roken w ith o nly t he b utt r emaining. I t i s m ade o f ad ark g rey f lint, a nd i s s tarting t o d evelop a m ottled w hite p atina . T here a re s ome d elicate f lake s cars o n b oth f aces, b ut t he i mplement h as b een m uch a braded, w ith d amage t o t he s urviving e dges. I t i s m arkedly p lano-convex i n p rofile. S ix o ther h andaxes ( Figures 3 .2(14b-g); a lso i n I pswich M useum) c losely a pproach t his f orm b ut a re g enerally l ess r efined a nd w ithout t he c lassic o utline s hape. F igures 3 .2(14b a nd c ), p erhaps t he c losest t o t he f lat-butted c ordate t ype , h ave a c herty w hite p atina o n b oth f aces. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 65, F ig. 5 :52.

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 14a) B ramford R oad,

I pswich

3 4

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 14c)

( 14e)

( 14d)

( 14g) 1 1• 1 1 1 1 1 1

( 14 0

3 5

I ZM IR

A .3:

I mplements a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm

N one o f t he t he p resent a nd e xamine s tatus. T he J ohn W ymer,

h andaxes l isted b elow h as b een a ccepted a s a b out c oupe b y w riter, e ither b ecause i t h as p roved i mpossible t o t race t he p iece, o r b ecause t here i s s ome d oubt a bout i ts t rue w riter i s g rateful t o P hilip H arding, a nd i n p articular t o f or t heir h elp i n t he c ompilation o f t he f ollowing l ist.

B UCKINGHAMSHIRE : F enny S tratford Ah andaxe h oused i n B ucks C ounty M useum, A ylesbury, i s i llustrated a nd d escribed b y M illard ( 1965, 3 37) a s a c ordate h andaxe, w ell f inished w ith f ine s hallow f laking, a r egular p rofile a nd a t hin c ross-section. T he h andaxe w as p resented t o t he m useum i n 1 922, b ut c ould n ot b e f ound w hen t he w riter v isited t he m useum i n 1 983. R oe h as e xamined t he h andaxe a nd f eels t hat i t f its w ell i nto h is b out c oup ec lass; M illard's d rawing s eems t o s upport t his s uggestion. H owever, a s t he h andaxe h as n ot b een e xamined i t h as n ot b een i ncluded i n t he c atalogue.

C AMBRIDGESHIRE : ( a) F enstanton N orris M useum , S t. I ves ( 317700 X 386); t his h andaxe i s l ess w ell m ade t han u sual, h aving a m ainly u nworked c ortical b utt-edge a nd a r elatively t hick p rofile. H owever, i t c ertainly a pproaches t he c lassic b out c oupe s traight-butted c ordate s hape, a nd t here a re s ome g ood s hallow f lake r emovals o n e ach f ace. R oe h as c lassed t his i mplement a s a " small f ine b out c oupe" ( 1981, 2 55). ( b) S t I ves a nd H emingford G rey R oe ( 1981, 2 58) s uggests t hat t here a re t wo f urther b out c oups h andaxes f rom C ambridgeshire i n t he N orris M useum , S t. I ves; o ne f rom M eadow L ane, S t. I ves ( 2X288), a nd o ne f rom H emingford G rey ( X29). H owever, i n t he o pinion o f t he p resent w riter n either o f t hese c ould b e c lassed a s a t rue b out c oupe a s n either h as t he c lassic s hape o r d efinite a ngles o n t he b utt. T hey w ould a ppear t o b e " typical" M ousterian-style s mall c ordiform b ifaces.

E SSEX : ( a) W alton-on-the-Naze O ver 4 0 h andaxes a nd a s imilar n umber o f f lakes h ave b een r ecovered f rom W alton-on-the-Naze ( see W ymer 1 985, 2 59); i t i s p ossible t hat t his w as o riginally a B ritish M TA s ite. T he h andaxes i nclude o vates a nd c ordiforms. R oe ( 1981, 2 57) h as s uggested t hat o ne i mplement ( Bolton M useum ; 1 0.49.21) i s a c lassic b out c oupe, a nd t his s eems t o h ave b een a ccepted b y W ymer ( 1985, 3 67). H owever, h aving e xamined t he b iface, t he p resent w riter d oes n ot a gree, a s t he i mplement i s s mall a nd u nrefined, w ithout t he c orrect o utline s hape.

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( b) W hitham W ymer h as r ecently m entioned t he f inding o f t wo p alaeoliths o n t he s urface o f C oleman 's F arm, o ne b eing a r olled p rimary f lake a nd t he o ther a p ossible f lat-butted c ordate. T hese i mplements h ave y et t o b e p ublished, a nd a s y et t he p resent w riter h as n ot s een t hem a nd i s u naware o f t heir w hereabouts.

N ORFOLK: ( a) G rimes G raves a nd " Weeting" A s R oe ( 1981, 2 63) h as s tated, s upposed P alaeolithic i mplements f rom G rimes G raves m ust b e t reated w ith a p roper d egree o f c aution, a s s ome o f t he l ater r oughouts a ppear v ery s imilar t o P alaeolithic i mplements. T his h andaxe " now i n t he c ollection o f M r C .E. A llnutt" h as b een d escribed a nd f igured b y R .A . S mith ( 1915a, 3 6), a nd i t w ould a ppear t o b e a g enuine b out c oupe ( although S mith d oes g o o n t o d iscuss l ater p eriod " celts" i n t he s ame a rticle). A s t here i s s ome d oubt o ver t he a ge o f t his i mplement, i t h as n ot b een i ncluded i n t he c atalogue. S mith ( op. c it., 3 6) d escribes t he i mplement a s " of l ustrous g reyish-white f lint, b oldly f laked o n b oth f aces, o ne o f w hich h as l ost a l arge f lake s truck f rom t he l ower a ngle, a nd r esembles t he u pper f ace o f a t ortoise c ore". F or s imilar r easons, a h andaxe s imply r ecorded a s f rom " Weeting" ( which c ould m ean G rimes G raves) h oused i n B ury S t. E dmunds M useum h as b een e xcluded f rom t he c atalogue, a s i t c annot b e r egarded a s a n e ntirely t ypical b out c oupe. I t a ppears t o b e a s urface f ind. ( b) L ynford: L ynford H all P it L ynford H all P it i s aw orking g ravel p it. T he g ravel c omes f rom a v ery l ow t errace o f t he s outh b ank o f t he R iver W issey, a t ributary o f t he O use, v irtually a t F loodplain l evel. T he a rtifacts c ome f rom t he u pper p art o f a-w ell-sorted s andy f luviatile g ravel, t he l ower p art b eing v ery c oarse a nd c learly r elating t o t he D evensian s tage. U nfortunately, m any o f t he f inds f rom t he g ravel h ave c rushed e dges i ndicating t ransport i n t orrential w aters, a nd i t i s t herefore p ossible t hat t hey h ave b een d erived f rom e arlier d eposits o r s urfaces. T he f irst h andaxe w as f ound i n t he p it i n 1 982 b y M r P hil. H arding; t his h andaxe w as i ncluded b y W ymer i n h is r ecent s urvey o f E ast A nglian P alaeolithic s ites ( 1985, 5 3) a nd i s a lmost s ub-triangular i n o utline-shape ( Wymer " type N "). R ecently, J ohn a nd V alerie L ord h ave f ound m ore b ifaces, i ncluding t hree w hich a pproach t he b out c ou l 5e f orm , ah andaxe r oughout a nd a f ew ( exact n umber u nknown) m ore o void p ieces. A n umber o f m ainly c oarse f lakes, b ut n o L evalloisian m aterial, h ave a lso b een r ecovered f rom t he p it. ( c) M ousehold H eath: V alley D rive P it A h andaxe w as f ound a bout 1 935 b y M r J .H. C apon i n V alley D rive P it, M ousehold H eath. I t c ame f rom p art o f t he U pper G ravel ( Anglian o utwash), b ut w as n ot i n s itu ( Sainty 1 935). T he h andaxe i s n ow i n t he c ollections o f N orwich C astle M useum ( 40.938). I t i s a f lat, w ell-made b ut f airly b road b iface, u ntwisted a nd p lano-convex i n p rofile. S ome o f t he f lake r emovals a re d eeper t han o ne m ight e xpect o n a b out c oupe, a nd w ere p robably m ade w ith a h ard-hammer. ( d) N orth W ootton L awson ( 1978, 5 ) m entions t hat a b out c oupe w as r eported a s

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a

s urface

f ind " although f urther i nformation i s n ot a vailable". W ymer ( 1985, 3 67) r ecords t his a s a f ind f rom " South" W ootton. A s t his h andaxe h as n ot b een t raced i t h as n ot b een i ncluded i n t he d etailed a nalysis. ( e) P ulham M arket J ohn W ymer h as i nformed t he w riter t hat a f lat-butted c ordate b iface w as r ecovered f rom P ulham M arket i n 1 984. A t t he t ime o f w riting h e h ad n ot s een t he b iface, b ut a s i t w as f ound c lose t o t he f ind-spot o f a s haft-hole a dze a nd a " flint d agger 9 " l ong", i t i s p ossible t hat a ll t hese o bjects c ame o riginally f rom a c ollector's t hrow-out; c ertainly t he m iddle o f t he h igh c entral N orfolk t ill p lain s eems a m ost u nlikely p rovenance f or a ll t hese i tems. ( f) S axlingham N ethergate A c ordate h andaxe w as p loughed u p i n a p addock i n 1 985. U nfortunately t he p resent w riter h as n o f urther d etails a bout t his i mplement; f rom a n i llustration s upplied b y W ymer i t a ppears t hat i t m ight f it i nto t he b out c oupe s traight-butted c ordate g roup. ( g) W est T ofts R .A. S mith ( 1915a, 3 7) l ists s everal h andaxes i ncluded i n t his c atalogue a s b out c oupe t ypes, a lthough h e d oes n ot a ctually n ame t he g roup, a nd t hen g ives a f urther e xample f rom W est T ofts a s a n e xample o f a " similar s pecimen". T his i mplement h as n ot b een t raced b y t he p resent w riter. O nly t en h andaxes a re k nown f rom W est T ofts ( Wymer 1 985, 5 2), a nd n one o f t hese c an b e r egarded a s a b out c oup6 .

N ORTHAMPTONSHIRE : f rom N orthamptonshire. oupe b ifaces h ave b een r ecovered N o t rue b out c i mplement f rom D uston R oe ( 1981,-263) d escribes a s mall M ousterian s ub-triangular h andaxe ( Posnansky 1 963, 3 83, F ig. 1 :5): v ery s mall T he p resent w ith d amaged e dges b ut v ery p ossibly a b out c oupe t ype". i s a s mall w riter d oes n ot a ccept t his i mplement a s a b out c oupe. I t arkedly i s m M ousterian-style b iface m ade o n a s truck f lint f lake a nd p lano-convex i n p rofile.

S UFFOLK: ( a) B randon D own W ymer ( 1982, 1 49, F ig. 3 7; 1 985, 1 08) h as i llustrated a c ordate i mplement f rom B randon D own ( Ashmolean M useum 1 928.148) w hich h e d escribes a s a f lat-butted c ordate t ype N . W hile t his i mplement d oes h ave a p lanform a pproaching t hat o f t he c lassic b out c oupe, i t l acks t he r efinement a nd d elicate w orking g enerally a ssociated w ith t his t ype, a nd t herefore i t h as n ot b een i ncluded i n t he c atalogue a bove. A b iface f rom S icklesmere, S uffolk ( Ashmolean M useum 1 928.151b) c an a lso b e e xcluded f rom t his c lass a s i t t oo l acks b oth t he c orrect p lanform a nd t he c orrect d egree o f r efinement. ( b) E riswell M erseyside C ounty M useum, L iverpool ( 4427318), h as a w ell-made b out c oupe like h andaxe i n a lmost m int c ondition b ut w ith s ome r ecent d amage t o t he t ip a nd a n a typical o utline-shape. T here i s a l arge r aised a rea a nd p atch o f c ortex i n t he c entre o f o ne f ace w hich w ould p robably h ave

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b een d ifficult t o r emove w ithout d rastically r educing t he s ize i mplement.

o f

t he

( c) I pswich W ymer ( 1985, 3 67) r eports t hat f lat-butted c ordates h ave b een r ecovered f rom b oth H adleigh R oad a nd G reenwich F arm, w hile, a s a lready n oted, R oe ( 1981) a ccepted s even b out c oupes f rom B ramford R oad. T he p resent w riter f eels t hat o nly o ne b out c oup ' e c an b e a ccepted f rom t he v arious I pswich c ollections, a lthough m any o ther b ifaces f rom t his r egion d o a pproach t he c lassic t ype, p articularly w ith r espect t o t he p resence o f a ngled b utts. ( d) M ildenhall: H igh L odge R oe m entions t hat t wo " bout c oupe" h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered f rom H igh L odge, o ne n ow h oused i n t he B ritish M useum m arked a s " from u ndisturbed r iver g ravel", a nd o ne i n I pswich M useum , w hich R oe ( 1981, 2 65) f eels m ay n ot a ctually c ome f rom H igh L odge. P resumably t he B ritish M useum i mplement d id n ot c ome f rom t he b rickearth w hich y ielded t he f lake i ndustry; i ts p recise p rovenance i s u nknown a s t here i s a pparently n o r iver g ravel a t t he s ite. A s econd " High L odge" i s m entioned b y R .A. S mith ( 1931, 2 6) a bout 2 m iles a way o n t he E riswell-Elveden R oad. N either i mplement c ould b e f ound w hen t he a uthor v isited b oth t he B ritish M useum a nd I pswich M useum i n 1 984. ( e) S proughton W ymer ( 1976, 2 ; 1 985, 2 08) h as m entioned a " small r olled h andaxe m ade o n a f lake o f b out c oupe f orm" r ecovered f rom a p ile o f t ipped g ravel b y M r P aul A shbee. H owever, a s t his h andaxe ( now h oused i n I pswich M useum) i s a lmost e ntirely u nifacial i t c annot b e c lassed a s a t ypical b out c oupe. T he g ravel w as r ecovered f rom a b uried c hannel d eposit o f t he R iver G ipping. ( f) S udbury W ymer ( 1985, 3 67) l ists a f lat-butted c ordate a mongst t he f inds r ecovered f rom J ordan's P it, B rundon. T he p resent w riter h as n ot h ad t he o pportunity o f e xamining t his p iece, w hich i s n ot i llustrated.

3 9

R EGION B : T HE T HAMES V ALLEY A ND T HAMES T RIBUTARIES T he T hames V alley c an b e d ivided i nto t he U pper T hames V alley, t hat p art o f t he R iver u pstream o f t he G oring G ap, a nd t he M iddle a nd L ower T hames V alley. T he r ecognised d ivision b etween t he M iddle a nd L ower T hames V alley i s n ot p recise; s ome c onsider i t t o o ccur a t W estminster B ridge w hile o thers p lace i t a t T eddington w here t he T hames b ecomes t idal -the t wo a re h ere t reated a s o ne c ontinuous r egion. A bove t he G oring G ap ( a g orge r unning t hrough t he c halk a nd d ividing t he C hilterns f rom t he B erkshire D owns) t he r iver t erraces s how m arkedly d ifferent c haracteristics; c onsequently t hey h ave b een t reated a nd n amed s eparately b y g eologists ( Wymer 1 968, 8 3). T his a rea i s m uch p oorer i n p alaeoliths o f a ll k inds, p erhaps b ecause o f t he l ack o f l ocally o ccurring g ood q uality f lint i n t he r egion. B .1: T he U pper T hames V alley ( 15) A bingdon, O xfordshire ( SU 4 82935); F igure 3 .2(15) P itt R ivers M useum , O xford T his h andaxe w as r ecovered f rom t he b ank o f a s mall s tream b y M r N . S caysbrook i n 1 972. T he ( ?alluvial) d eposit i n w hich i t l ay p robably e ither b elongs t o t he D evensian F loodplain T errace, o r i ncorporates m aterial d erived f rom i t ( Roe 1 981, 2 64). L 1 06mm , B 7 9mm, T 2 9mm. Aw ell-made f lat-butted b iface m ade f rom b lack f lint, u npatinated, b ut w ith s light s igns o f a brasion a long t he f lake r idges e asily v isible w ith a h and l ens. U nfortunately, t he b iface w as b roken i nto t wo p ieces s hortly a fter i ts r ecovery, a nd a lthough i t h as s ince b een r epaired a c ertain a mount o f d amage r emains. I t h as a t ypical c ordate p lanform, a nd i s s lightly p iano-convex i n p rofile w ith n o t wist. T he s traight c utting-edge r uns a ll a round t he c ircumference o f t he h andaxe. T here a re f lat f lake r emovals f rom b oth f aces, w ith o ne s mall p atch o f r esidual c ortex a nd o ne t ranchet s car o n t he t ip. R eferences ( 1) R oe 1 981, 2 64, P l. 3 5. ( 2) T yldesley 1 983, 1 49, F ig. 4 . ( 16) D rayton: T uckwell's P it, O xfordshire ( SU 5 25977); F igure 3 .2(16) T he h andaxe h as b een r etained b y i ts f inder, M r J ohn S teptoe. T uckwell's P it c uts i nto t he L ower T hames F loodplain T errace, w hich i s g enerally r egarded a s o f D evensian a ge. T he b iface w as r ecovered d uring g ravel e xtraction i n 1 983. I t w as f ound l ying o n t he s urface o f t he g rey T ertiary c lay u nder a b and o f c obbles a t t he b ase o f a l ayer o f g ravel, b ut c ould h ave f allen f rom a ny p art o f t he s ection. W hen t he a uthor v isited t he p it s oon a fter t he d iscovery n o f urther i nformation c ould b e o btained, a lthough a r ather d ubious c rude i mplement m ade o n a B unter q uartzite c obble w as f ound l ying o n a p ile o f r eject s tones. L 1 17mm , B8 6mm , T 2 8mm. Aw ell-worked b iface m ade f rom a d ark g rey f lint w ith a n u neven a nd s tained p atina o n b oth f aces. A l arge c herty i nclusion p asses t hrough t he b iface w ithout a ffecting t he c utting-edge, w hich r uns a ll r ound t he p iece a nd i s s traight. T he h andaxe h as t he t ypical f lat-butted c ordate p lanform w ith s ome d elicate f lake r emovals, a nd i s p iano-convex i n p rofile w ith n o s ign o f a t wist. T here i s s light a brasion a nd m odern d amage a long t he f lake r idges, b ut t he i mplement i s o therwise i n v ery g ood c ondition. R eference T yldesley 1 983, 1 51-2, F ig. 5 .

4 0

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 15) A bingdon

( 16) D rayton

4 1

B .2: T he M iddle a nd L ower T hames V alley

( 17,18) M arlow : M arlow B rickyard, B uckinghamshire ( SU 8 61873) T he M arlow B rickyard l ies o n a l ow t errace a bout 1 0-15ft a bove t he p resent T hames f loodplain, a nd i s n ow o vergrown a nd a bandoned. S mith a nd W ymer s uggest a v ery l ate P leistocene d ate f or t he b rickearth ( 1964, 2 88). U nfortunately , t here i s n o i nformation a bout w hich d eposit o riginally c ontained t he t wo b ifaces d escribed b elow . T here i s a t hird s ub-cordate ( but n ot b out c oups) h andaxe f rom t his s ite i n t he O xford U niversity M useum ( Treacher c ollection) a nd a lso a g ood b acked k nife o f M ousterian s tyle i n B ucks C ounty .Museum , A ylesbury; t his m ay b e t he " Levalloisian f lake a pparently f rom a d iscoidal c ore" d escribed b y W ymer ( 1968, 2 13). T hese a re t he o nly f our i mplements k nown t o h ave b een r ecorded f rom t he p it, b ut a s t hey w ere f ound a s l ong a go a s 1 928-32, i t i s p ossible t hat o ther a rtifacts c ould h ave b een l ost t hrough b oth s elective a nd p rivate c ollection. A lthough t here i s n o e vidence t hat a ll f our a rtifacts w ere e ver a ssociated t his i s a n i nteresting s eries o f f inds s ince, a s t his c atalogue s hows, m ost b out c oupes a re r ecovered a s i solated e xamples. ( 17) F igure 3 .2(17) B ucks C ounty M useum , A ylesbury ( 177.65) L8 7mm , B6 7mm , T 1 7mm . A t ypical b out c oupe h andaxe m ade f rom g rey f lint a nd s tained a l ustrous y ellow-brown. I t i s i n as lightly r olled c ondition, a nd p art o f t he t ip i s m issing. T he h andaxe h as b een w ell w orked, a nd i s r efined a nd b iconvex i n p rofile, s howing a s traight c utting-edge e xtending c ompletely r ound t he c ircumference a nd n o s ign o f a t wist. T here i s a s mall u nworked a rea o f c ortex o n o ne f ace. ( 18) F igure 3 .2(18); P late I O xford U niversity M useum ( S.3136) L 1 25mm , B8 2mm , T3 0mm . A gain a t ypical b out c oupe h andaxe. U nfortunately, i t h as b een b roken i n h alf a nd r epaired. T here h as b een s ome a ncient d amage t o t he t ip, a nd m ore r ecent d amage t o t he e dges. I t i s m ade f rom a b lack f lint a nd h as a t hick w hite p atina w hich s hows s igns o f e xfoliation o n b oth f aces. I n p rofile t he h andaxe i s f lat w ith n o s ign o f a t wist. T here a re s ome d elicate s oft-hammer f lake r emovals f rom b oth f aces, a nd i t w ould a ppear f rom t he p atterning o f t he f lake s cars t hat i t w as m ade b y w orking a long o ne e dge, a nd t hen t urning t he i mplement o ver t o w ork t he o ther. T here a re n o p atches o f r esidual c ortex. R eferences ( 1) S mith a nd W ymer 1 964, 2 86-8 , F ig. ( 2) W ymer 1 968, 2 13 , F ig. 2 5. ( 3) R oe 1 981, 2 54 , F ig. 6 :7,1.

4 2

1 .

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

/ / / / I /

( 17) M arlow

( 18) M arlow

4 3

( 19) B ourne E nd: " Deesden", N ew R oad, B uckinghamshire ( SU 8 97877); F igure 3 .2(19) B ucks C ounty M useum , A ylesbury ( 116.64) M r G . J . D rewett f ound t his h andaxe , a nd a lso a s mall r olled p ointed b iface w ith a p ebble b utt, w hen d igging i n h is g arden. T he g arden l ies a t a bout 1 45ft 0 .D . o n t he s lope u p t o t he H arefield T errace. L 1 21mm , B7 9mm , T 2 5mm. T he b iface h as a t ypical f lat-butted c ordate o utline s hape, w ith a w ell r ounded t ip a nd t wo c lear " angles" o n t he b utt. I n p rofile i t i s s lightly t wisted. T he c utting-edge r uns s traight r ound t he c ircumference, a nd t here a re n o a reas o f r esidual c ortex. N o t ranchet s cars a re a pparent o n e ither f ace. T he b iface n ow h as a l ustrous w hite p atina o n b oth f aces; s light m odern d amage s hows t hat i t w as o riginally m ade f rom a g rey-black f lint. I t i s i n as lightly w orn c ondition, b ut i s w eathered r ather t han r olled, w ith e xfoliation p atches o n b oth f aces. R eferences ( 1) W ymer 1 968, 2 13. ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 54 .

( 20) M aidenhead: S ummerleaze P it, B erkshire ( SU 8 97828) F igure 3 .2(20) R eading M useum ( 13 .84) T he h andaxe w as r ecovered i n 1 983 b y M r R on B arlow . I t w as f ound i n t he " reject s tockpile" ( rejects a re t hat f raction o f t he w ashed g ravel l arger t han 4 0mm), a nd p robably c ame f rom a b lue-grey g ravel w hich w as b eing e xtracted a f ew f eet a bove t he f loodplain o n t he w est b ank o f t he T hames. T his g ravel a lso y ielded a l arge p iece o f m ammoth t usk a nd a n a lmost c omplete l ower m ammoth m olar, a lthough n o d irect c onnection b etween t he t eeth a nd t he b iface c an b e d emonstrated. T he a rea o f g ravel a nd t he r eject p ile w ere b oth c arefully s earched b y t he a uthor i n 1 983 , b ut n o f urther f inds w ere m ade. L 1 06mm , B8 1mm , T 2 9mm. T he h andaxe i s m ade f rom a d ark c oloured f lint w ith s everal c herty i nclusions , a nd b ears n o p atina a nd v ery l ittle s taining. I t h as a t ypical b out c oupe f lat-butted p lanform , a nd i n p rofile i t i s b iconvex a nd u ntwisted. T here a re n o s igns o f a t ranchet f inish o n e ither f ace. B oth f aces s how b oth s hall a T a nd d eeper f laking, a nd o ne f ace h as t wo s mall a reas o f r esidual c ortex. T he s traight c utting-edge r uns a ll r ound t he c ircumference. T he h andaxe i s s omewhat a braded a nd r olled. R eference T yldesley 1 981, F ig. 1 .

4 4

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 19) B ourne E nd

( 20) M aidenhead 4 5

( 21,22) H illingdon: W est D rayton a nd Y iewsley, L ondon ( TQ 0 71805 0 80800) T he L ynch H ill T errace i n t his a rea c ontains a s eries o f g ravel p its w hich h ave y ielded m any p alaeoliths. A s i t s eems t hat t he s tratigraphy o f t his r egion i s f airly c onsistent ( R.A . S mith 1 931, 8-92; C ollins 8 1 978), Y iewsley a nd W est D rayton a re t reated h ere a s o ne a rea. T he L ynch H ill G ravel r ests o n L ondon c lay, a nd i s c overed b y b rickearth. B rown ( 1895, F igure 3 ) d escribes a n " irregular d eposit o f c halk, r ubble t race a nd c lay w ith a f ew s tones i n i t, e xtending i n t ongue-like a nd w ave-like f orms i nto t he c lay", o ccurring b etween t he b rickearth a nd t he g ravel i n s ome o f t he p its; C ollins ( 1978, 1) i dentifies t his a s c oombe r ock, l ying p artly i n a nd a bove a l ayer o f g ravel r ecorded b y B rown a s " unstratified". T he g ravel b elow i s d escribed b y B rown a s "r egularly s tratified". T wo m ajor s eries o f a rtifacts h ave b een r ecovered: a h andaxe a ssemblage f rom t he g ravels, a nd L evalloisian m aterial w hich s eems t o c ome a lmost e ntirely f rom w ithin o r u nder t he o verlying b rickearth. T he h andaxe a ssemblage o f o ver 1 200 p ieces h as b een a nalysed b y C ollins ( op. c it.). I t i s m arkedly p ointed-dominant, a nd i s i n af airly w orn c ondition. T he L evalloisian m aterial i s g enerally l ess w orn, w ith m any u npatinated p ieces. T here a re m any b lade-flakes, s everal b road f lakes, a nd a bout 3 0 p repared c ores; f ew o f t he f lakes s how a ny d egree o f r etouch. A s t here w as n o s ystematic c ollection o f t he m aterial n o d etailed s tratigraphic p rovenances w ere r ecorded, a lthough s ome o f t he p ieces d o h ave k nown d epths. ( 21) W est D rayton, E astwoods G ravel P it ( TQ 0 78800); F igure 3 .2(21) B ritish M useum ( Sturge 2 193) T his b iface i s m arked " in l oam a bove g ravel". L 1 08mm , B 7 6mm. Aw orn f lat-butted h andaxe w ith s ome m echanical e dge-damage a nd a " basket w ork" p atina o n b oth f aces. I t h as s ome e legant f lake r emovals a nd a t l east o ne t ranchet s car o n t he t ip. I n p rofile t he h andaxe i s u ntwisted, r efined a nd b iconvex w ith a s traight c utting-edge. ( 22) Y iewsley, C layton's P it ( c. T Q 0 64820); F igure 3 .2(22) M useum o f L ondon ( S041/2469) C ollins ( 1978, 2 7) h as s tudied t he Y iewsley m aterial i n d etail, a nd h as i solated a s mall s ub-group o f 1 i mplements n ow i n t he R ice c ollection ( Museum o f L ondon) w hich h ave a w hite/blue-white o r b asketwork p atina. T hese i mplements s eem t o b e t he y oungest s eries, h aving c ome f rom t he u ppermost S tockley l oam ( which i s p erhaps s eparated f rom t he u nderlying g ravel b y a l ong e rosional p eriod). T he s eries i ncludes t rue L evallois p oints, a nd t his h andaxe. C ollins s uggests t hat a n e arly D evensian d ate i s l ikely f or t he g roup. T here i s n o d irect e vidence t o c onnect t his w hite p atinated s eries w ith t he l argely u npatinated L evallois m aterial b elow, a lthough t here i s n o s tratigraphic e vidence t o p rove t hat t hey a re c learly s eparate. T his h andaxe w as f ound o n 1th J une 1 913; t here a re n o f urther d etails o f i ts d iscovery. L 1 11mm, B 7 5mm, T 2 3mm . T his b iface i s r egarded b y t he p resent w riter ( and b y R oe, 1 981) a s a t rue b out c oupe h andaxe, a lthough i t h as a s lightly a symmetrical p lanform . I n p rofile i t h as t he r equired d egree o f r efinement, a nd i s u ntwisted a nd f airly f lat. T he c utting-edge r uns a ll r ound t he b iface, a part f rom a s mall a rea o f c ortex o n o ne s ide, a nd i s s traight. T here a re s hallow f lake r emovals f rom b oth f aces. T he h andaxe h as a g lossy

4 6

w hite p atina o n b oth f aces w ith s ome f rost c racking, d amage o n t he t ip r eveals a g reyish f lint. R eferences ( 1) R .A . S mith 1 915a , 3 6-7, F ig. 1 3. ( 2) C ollins 1 978, 4 3, F ig . 2 4. ( 3) R oe 1 981, 2 62.

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 21) W est D rayton

( 22) Y iewsley

4 7

a nd

s ome

r ecent

( 23) H illingdon; S ipson, L ondon ( TQ 0 78783); F igure 3 .2(23) M useum o f L ondon T his h andaxe w as r ecovered i n 1 984 d uring g ravel e xtraction t o t he e ast s ide o f S ipson V illage ( north o f H eathrow A irport). T he s ite l ies o n t he T hird ( Taplow) T hames T errace, a nd i s a bout o ne m ile t o t he s outh o f t he Y iewsley a nd W est D rayton p its. T he h andaxe w as f irst s een i n t he s ide o f a f urrow , l ying h orizontally 1 .6m b elow t he p resent g round s urface, 1 .1m i nto a b rickearth o verlying t he t errace g ravel. S oil s amples f or a nalysis w ere c ollected f rom t he b rickearth, a nd a f ull r eport o f t he r esults i s e xpected s oon. I t a ppears t o h ave b een a n i solated f ind. C otton ( 1985) h as s uggested t hat i t m ay b e p ossible t o r elate t his h andaxe t o t he Y iewsley " blue-white" s eries o f a rtifacts ( which i ncludes t he b out c oup gf rom Y iewsley , a nd p robably t hat f rom W est D rayton) d escribed a s b elonging t o t he " start o f t he M ousterian o f A cheulian T radition o r P axton s tage" b y C ollins ( 1978, 4 5). T he w riter i s g rateful t o J on C otton f or s upplying i nformation a bout t his h andaxe. L 7 8mm , B6 1mm , T 2 0mm. Aw ell-made a nd r elatively b road f lat-butted c ordate b iface w ith s igns o f w eathering a nd f rost d amage. O ne f ace , t hat l ying u ppermost i n t he b rickearth, h as a l ustrous w hite p atina, w hile t he o ther a ppears f resher, w ith a b lue-white m ottled p atina. T here h ave b een s ome f ine f lat f lake r emovals f rom b oth f aces. U nfortunately, t he t ip h as s ustained s ome m odern m echanical d amage. I n p rofile i t a ppears r efined, w ith t he s lightly d amaged c utting-edge e xtending c ompletely r ound t he p iece. R eference C otton 1 985.

( 24) I sleworth, L ondon ( c. T Q 1 60750) F igure 3 .2(24) M anchester M useum ( 62053) T his h andaxe w as g iven t o t he m useum f rom t he c ollection o f R .D . D arbishire. N o f urther d etails o f i ts f ind—spot o r p rovenance a re k nown. L 1 20mm , B8 7mm, T 2 6mm. A f lat-butted c ordate h andaxe w ith t he t ypical b out c oupe p lanform , a f lat u ntwisted p rofile a nd d elicate f lake r emovals. T here i s a s mall p atch o f r esidual c ortex o n o ne f ace. T he b iface i s s lightly r olled w ith a l ittle m odern d amage t o t he e dges. I t i s m ade . f rom a c herty f lint a nd h as a w hite p atina; a s light i mpurity i n t he f lint i s a pparent o n o ne f ace. R eferences ( 1) R oe 1 968, 1 9. ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 62.

4 8

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 23) H illingdon,

S ipson

( 24) I sleworth

4 9

( 25) A cton , L ondon ( c. T Q 2 04809); F igure 3 .2(25) M useum o f L ondon ( A13473) N o f urther d etails o f i ts T he i mplement i s m arked " brickearth". d iscovery o r p rovenance a re k nown. L 1 09mm , B8 1mm , T 2 7mm . atches o n b oth T he h andaxe i s u nrolled, a lthough i t h as e xfoliation p a f lat-butted f aces, a nd i s p atinated c reamy w hite. I t h as t t he wo c lear " corners" a c ordate/sub-triangular p lanform w ith t rofile nd a r ounded t ip. I n p i ntersection o f t he s ides w ith t he b utt a orner, ortex p atch o n o ne c i t i s f lat a nd r efined. T here i s a c he p iece , a nd i s s traight. o therwise t he c utting-edge r uns a ll a round t R eferences ( 1) W ymer 1 968, 2 67. ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 61.

( 26) A cton : B errymead P riory, L ondon ( TQ 2 05794); F igure 3 .2(26) B ritish M useum ( Acton b ox 5 ) J . A llen B rown ( 1889 , 3 2) r ecords t hat t his b iface w as f ound a t al evel o f 4 5-50ft 0 .D . a nd 1 2-13ft d eep i n f ine g ravel, i n a n e xcavation a t B errymead P riory. L 15mm ( tip m issing), B 8 5mm , T 2 7mm . I t i s af lat-butted c ordate h andaxe s howing t he t ypical b out c oupe p lanform b ut w ith s ome m echanical d amage t o t he b ase a nd t o t he e xtreme hat t he t ip. I n p rofile i t i s f lat a nd r efined, a nd i t w ould a ppear t s iface i o riginal c utting-edge r an a ll r ound t he c ircumference. T he b l e a s t o n e w ell w orked w ith s ome g ood s hallow f lake r emovals a nd a t w h i l e t h e t ranchet s car o n t he t ip. O ne f ace i s p atinated b lue-white, T h e tain . o ther f ace i s a lmost u npatinated, b ut h as a y ellowish s h andaxe a ppears s lightly w orn. R eferences ( 1) B rown 1 889 , 3 2. ( 2) W ymer 1 968, 2 68. ( 3) R oe 1 981, 2 62.

( 27) B alham , S urrey ( TQ 2 90740); F igure 3 .2(27) M useum o f L ondon ( A14582) N o d etails o f t he d iscovery o r p rovenance o f t his b iface a re k nown . L 1 51mm , B9 1mm , T 2 7mm. Al arge a nd s ymmetrical c ordate h andaxe w ith t he t yp▪ i cal b out c oupe o utline f orm . I n p rofile i t i s s lightly p lano-convex; t he s traight c utting-edge r uns a ll r ound t he p iece. T here a re s ome d elicate f lat s oft-hammer f lake r emovals , a nd a p ossible t ranchet s car o n t he t ip. T he h andaxe i s m ade f rom a g rey f lint w ith s ome d ark s taining o n b oth f aces. I t i s n ow s omewhat a braded a nd t here h as b een s ome s light m echanical e dge d amage. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 65.

5 0

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 25) A cton

( 26) A cton P riory

( 27) B alham 5 1

( 28) H extable, K ent ( c. T Q 5 10700); F igure 3 .2(28) D artford M useum ( 1958-83) F our h andaxes w ere r ecovered f rom t he g rounds o f t he A gricultural C ollege a t H extable. T hree o f t hese n ow a re i n t he G arraway R ice c ollection a t M aidstone M useum ; ap yriform , a s mall t wisted o vate, a nd a s mall o void w hich i s l abelled " mid-Acheulian , l ater r e-worked". T his l atter i mplement i s c onsidered b y R oe ( 1981, 2 60) t o b e a s omewhat i rregular s haped b out c oupe, b ut i t i s n ot a ccepted a s s uch b y t he p resent w riter u sing t he d efinition g iven a bove. A ll t hree b ifaces w ere r ecovered i n A ugust 1 923 . D artford M useum h as a m uch m ore t ypical b out c oupe b iface, w hich w as f ound o n t he s urface a t t he C ollege b y A .C . H opkins i n N ovember, 1 956, a nd t his i s t he i mplement w hose d escription f ollows. L 1 33mm, B 9 2mm , T3 2mm . T his h andaxe i s m uch w eathered a nd w orn, w ith m odern m echanical d amage t o t he e dges. T here i s aw hite p atina o n o ne f ace, a nd a " basket-work" p atina o n t he o ther. I t i s f lat b ut s lightly t hick i n p rofile, b ut h as at ypical s traight-butted o utline-shape w ith t wo c lear a ngles o n t he b utt a nd a r ounded t ip. T he e dge a ppears t o h ave r un a ll r ound t he h andaxe. I t i s w ell f laked, a lthough t here i s a l arge c ortex-covered d epression o n o ne f ace. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 60.

( 29) M ilton, K ent ( c. T Q 6 48743); F igure 3 .2(29) B ritish M useum ( 83 1 2-13 1 7) T he b iface w as f ound b y M r G eorge P ayne i n t he e arly 1 880's, b ut t here a re n o f urther d etails o f i ts d iscovery o r p rovenance. L9 7mm , B6 9mm , T 2 5mm . T he f laking o n t his h andaxe i s p erhaps s lightly l ess r efined t han i s u sual i n t his c lass, a nd w as p robably d one w ith a h ard-hammer. T here a re n o p atches o f r esidual c ortex. I t h as t he r equired f lat-butted b out c oupe p lanform , a nd a r efined f lat p rofile w ith n o t wist. T he c utting-edge e xtends c ompletely r ound t he c ircumference . T here i s a w hite p atina o n b oth f aces, a nd t he h andaxe i s s omewhat w eathered. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 60.

5 2

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 28) H extable

( 29) M ilton 5 3

B .3: M iddle T hames t ributaries ( to t he s outh w est)

( 30) H olybourne: H olybourne D own, H ampshire ( c. S U 7 22350); F igure 3 .2(30) W illis M useum , B asingstoke ( 3219) L ower P alaeolithic ( Roe G roup V I) m aterial h as b een r ecovered f rom H olybourne D own. T here a re n o d etails o f t he d iscovery o f t his b out c oupe, b ut i t i s i n a f resh c ondition, a nd p resumably n ot r elated t o t he i nteresting s ets o f w orn a nd p atinated A cheulian m aterial. L8 4mm , B6 0mm , T2 1mm . T he i mplement i s r elatively s mall b ut h as a g ood s traight-butted c ordate b out c oupe p lanform-shape, a nd i s f lat a nd r efined w ith s ome n eat f lake r emovals f rom b oth f aces. I t i s m ade f rom a d ark f lint, a nd h as a w hite p atina d eveloping o n b oth f aces. T here i s n o t wist t o t he p rofile, a nd t here a re n o t ranchet s cars o n t he t ip. T he c utting-edge e xtends c ompletely r ound t he p iece , a nd i s s traight. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 57.

( 31) G utteridge's W ood, n ear W olverton, H ampshire ( SU 5 67582); F igure 3 .2(31) T he h andaxe h as b een r etained b y i ts f inder, M r G . J ones. T his h andaxe w as f ound b y M r J ones i n 1 983. I t w as r ecovered f rom t he s urface o f a r ecently h arrowed f ield o n t he s outh s ide o f t he w ood, a nd w as a pparently a n i solated f ind. T he w riter i s g rateful t o D avid A llen f or b ringing t he r ecent d iscovery o f t his p iece t o h er a ttention. L 19mm , B8 4mm , T 2 6mm. I t i s aw ell-made h andaxe, f lat b ut s lightly p iano-convex i n p rofile, p robably d ue t o i ts m anufacture o n a l arge f lake. I t h as a t ypical f lat-butted b out c oupe p lanform , a nd h as s ome e legant f lake r emovals, a lthough t here i s as mall p atch o f c ortex o n t he l ess f lat f ace. T he s traight c utting-edge r uns a round t he c ircumference o f t he p iece . T here i s ad eveloping m ottled w hite p atina o n b oth f aces, w ith a n o range s tain, a nd s light s igns o f r ecent m echanical d amage t o t he e dges . R eference T yldesley 1 983.

5 4

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 30) H olybourne

( 31) G utteridge's W ood

5 5

B .4: T he R iver T hames

( 32) T ilbury D ock, E ssex; F igure 3 .2(32) B ritish M useum ( 1913-171) T his h andaxe w as d redged f rom t he T hames a nd t herefore c an h ave n o a ccurate p rovenance, a lthough i t i s l ikely t o h ave b een r ecovered f rom L ate P leistocene d eposits o f a f loodplain t errace o r ab uried c hannel. L 1 95mm , B 1 26mm , T2 5mm . T his h andaxe i s u nusually l arge, i ndeed i t i s t he l argest B ritish e xample, b ut i t i s o f c lassic b out c oupe o utline-shape w ith s ome s light d amage t o t he e dges. I t h as a s mall p atch o f c ortex i n t he c entre o f o ne f ace , a nd a g ood n umber o f f lat s oft-hammer f lake r emovals. T he c utting-edge r uns a round t he p iece , a nd i s s traight. I n p rofile i t a ppears f lat a nd u ntwisted. T he g reyish f lint i s p atinated a nd s lightly s tained, a nd t he b iface i s s omewhat w ater w orn . R eferences ( 1) R .A . S mith 1 915a, 3 4, F ig. 1 1. ( 2) R .A . S mith 1 926, 4 5, F ig. 3 5. ( 3) R .A . S mith 1 931, 1 25. ( 4) W ymer 1 968 , 3 17. ( 5) R oe 1 981, 2 57, F ig. 6 :7,4.

( 33,34 ,35) E rith , K ent E rith l ies 5 m iles t o t he e ast o f W oolwich o n t he s outh b ank o f t he T hames. S everal i mplements a re r ecorded f rom t he T hames a t E rith ( R .A . S mith 1 931; 6 4); o ne v ery w ater-worn b roken i mplement a ppears t o b e a t ypical b out c oupe a nd i s l isted a s s uch b y R oe ( 1981, 2 59). T wo o thers, l ess w orn, a re d escribed b y R .A. S mith a s " Thames, E rith" a nd a lso a ppear t o b elong t o t he b out c oupe c lass. W hether t hese t wo a re t he " good b out c oupe h andaxes f rom E rith ....no d etails o f t heir p rovenance" d escribed b y R oe ( ibid, 2 59) i s n ot c lear. ( 33) F igure 3 .2(33) ( R.A . S mith 1 931, F ig. 2 96) B ritish M useum ( Sturge C ollection) L 1 17mm , B8 5mm , T2 6mm . At ypically f lat-butted b out c oups h andaxe i n f airly f resh c ondition , b ut w ith s ome s light m echanical e dge d amage. T he h andaxe i s m ade f rom a d ark f lint, a nd h as s ome f lat e legant f lake r emovals o n b oth f aces a nd a t l east o ne t ranchet s car o n t he t ip. T here i s a s mall c ortex p atch o n o ne f ace. I n p rofile i t i s f lat a nd u ntwisted. ( 34) F igure 3 .2(34) ( R .A . S mith 1 931, F ig. 2 95) B ritish M useum ( Sturge C ollection) L 1 23mm , B9 9mm , T2 1mm . Ah andaxe m ade f rom a l ustrous b lack f lint, n ow i n a w ater-rolled c ondition. T he o utline-shape i s s lightly a symmetrical, b ut i t a ppears t o b elong t o t he b out c oup c lass w ith s ome f ine s hallow f lake r emovals a nd a p ossible t ranchet f inish t o t he t ip. I t h as a f lat a nd u ntwisted p rofile, a nd t he c utting-edge e xtends a ll r ound t he c ircumference.

5 6

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 32) T ilbury D ock

( 34)

( 33,34) E rith 5 7

( 35) " The T hames, E rith"; F igure 3 .2(35) ( L 18mm), B 8 4mm , T 3 1mm . T his h andaxe h as b een s everely d amaged a nd w ater r olled, b ut i t d oes a ppear t o h ave b een a c lassic f lat-butted b out c oupe. b iface w ith t he c orrect p lanform a nd a ngles f ormed a t t he i ntersection o f t he b utt w ith t he s ides. I t h as a f airly f lat u ntwisted p rofile, a nd s hallow f lake r emovals o n b oth f aces. I t i s n ot p ossible t o d etermine w hether t he c utting-edge o riginally e xtended a ll a round t he h andaxe. R eferences ( 1) R .A . S mith 1 931, 6 4. ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 59 .

( 36) R ichmond, S urrey; F igure 3 .2(36) M useum o f L ondon ( A13972) L 1 05mm , B 7 1mm , T 2 6mm. I t i s f airly c ertain t hat t his w as o riginally a t rue b out c oup eb iface, b ut i t h as -been r olled a nd p olished a nd t here h as b een s ome m echanical d amage t o t he e dges. T he i mplement i s u npatinated a nd i s m ade f rom a b lack f lint. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 66.

5 8

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 35) " The T hames, E rith"

( 36) R ichmond

5 9

B .5:

I mplements a pproaching t he b out c oups f orm

B ERKSHIRE : S ulhamstead A bbots A f lat-butted c ordate h andaxe ( Reading M useum 18.46) h as b een 1 r ecovered f rom A bbot's P it. I t d oes n ot a ppear t o b e a t rue b out c oupe a s i t h as n either t he c orrect s hape n or r efinement, b ut R oe ( 1981, 2 54) h as i ncluded t his i mplement i n h is l ist o f B ritish b out c oupe h andaxes.

B UCKINGHAMSHIRE : ( a) I ver T he g eology o f t his r egion h as b een d escribed i n s ome d etail b y L acaille a nd O akley ( 1936, 4 32-7). T he l ower b rickearth h as y ielded a v ariety o f m aterial c lassified a s " Levallois" ( op. c it.), i ncluding L evalloisian f lake-blades a nd a f ew b ifacially w orked h andaxes. T he b ifaces i nclude o ne h ighly u nusual p iece, r ecovered f rom M ead's B ridge P it w hich h as b een d escribed b y L acaille a s a " cleaver o f b out c oupe t ype" ( op. c it., 4 42), b y W ymer ( 1968, 2 53) a s a " fine c leaver" a nd b y R oe ( 1981, 2 54) a s a " large b out c oupe c leaver", t hough e ssentially h e w as q uoting L acaille i n u sing t his p hrase. I t i s a r emarkably l arge ( L 2 10mm, B 18mm , T 5 3mm) a nd a lmost r ectangular i mplement, a nd a lthough i t d oes h ave t wo a ngles a t t he b ase a nd s ome f ine s oft-hammer f lake s cars o n b oth f aces i t c annot b e c onsidered a t ypical b out c oups, d ue t o i ts o blong p lanform, c ortex p atches, a nd i ts u nusual s ize ( size a lone w ould n ot r ule o ut t he b iface). T his i mplement i s n ow i n t he B ritish M useum ( Sturge 3 90). A s mall cordiform c hert h andaxe f rom L avender's P it, I ver ( Lacaille a nd O akley o p. c it., F igure 3 7) i s d escribed b y R oe a s " not v ery f ar f rom t he b out c oupe f orm", b ut w ould n ot b e r egarded a s a t ypical b out c oupe h andaxe u nder t he d efinition u sed b y t he p resent w riter. ( b) T aplow Ah andaxe b elieved t o b e " from b rickearth" h as b een d escribed a s a " sub-triangular" b out c oupe ( Roe 1 981, 2 55), b ut w ould c ertainly n ot b e c lassed a s s ub-triangular u sing B ordes'(1961, 5 9) d efinition. I t h as a n a lmost f lat e dge t o t he b utt, t wo c lear " corners" b etween t he b utt a nd t he s ides, d elicate f lake r emovals a nd a r ounded t ip. I n p rofile i t i s p iano-convex w ith n o s ign o f a t wist. B oth A cheulian a nd L evalloisian m aterial h ave b een r ecovered f rom T aplow , m ainly f rom t he g ravels ( Wymer 1 968, 2 27-9).

L ONDON : ( a) A cton: C reffield R oad T he " Palaeolithic f loor" d iscovered b y B rown i n 1 885 h as b een d escribed i n d etail b y W ymer ( 1968). T hree s eparate l evels y ielded a rtifacts; a l ittle L evalloisian m aterial w as f ound a ssociated w ith " black s eams" i n t he l ower p art o f t he g ravel, a nd a lso i n b rickearth i n t he s outhernmost p it, a nd a P alaeolithic " floor" w as f ound o n t he t op o f g ravel a t t he b ase o f a s andy l oam. O ver 4 00 f resh a rtifacts w ere ' r ecovered f rom t his l evel, b ut u nfortunately n o f aunal m aterial w as

6 0

f ound. M any o f t he r ecovered i mplements a re n ow i n t he B ritish M useum a nd t he M useum o f L ondon. T hey i nclude m any b lade-flakes a nd f lakes w ith f aceted s triking p latforms s truck f rom p rismatic c ores, a nd t here a re a n umber o f c lassic L evallois p oints s uggestive o f a M iddle P alaeolithic d ate, m any f lakes, a f ew c ores a nd s ome w aste p roducts. O ne h andaxe, a pparently f rom t he " floor", a s d escribed b y R oe I t a ppears t o b elong t o t he b out c oupe c lass", w hile W ymer ( 1968, 2 68) m entions a " very t hin f lat-butted c ordate h andaxe w ith a p iano-convex c ross s ection" ( presumably t he i mplement r eferred t o b y R oe) a nd " a f lake w orked t o r esemble N t ype h andaxe". M ellars ( 1974, 6 4) q uotes W ymer, s tating t hat t here a re t wo b out c oupe h andaxes f rom t he s ite. N o o ther h andaxes s eem t o h ave c ome f rom t his l ayer. A s t his h andaxe i s a symmetrical a nd a lmost s ub-triangular i n p lanform i t c annot b e c onsidered a c lassic b out c oupe ' f ollowing t he d efinition u sed b y t he p resent w riter. H owever, a s i t h as s uffered s ome m echanical d amage, a nd a s i t m ay w ell b e a n u nfinished h andaxe, t he p resent w riter d ecided t hat t here w as s ufficient d oubt a bout i ts o riginal o r i ntended s hape t o i nclude i t ( with a n ote o f c aution) i n t his c atalogue. I f t he h andaxe r eally w as r ecovered f rom t he f loor ( as i ts l abel s tates) t hen i t w ould a ppear t o b e o f i mportance a s a n a typical b out c oupslike p iece a ssociated w ith a f lake-blade L evalloisian i ndustry. T he w riter h as n ot s een t he s econd i mplement r eferred t o b y M ellars a nd W ymer. W

.

( b) H oxton ( Figure 4 .1a) R oe l ists a b out c oupe h andaxe f rom H oxton ( 1981, 2 62) n ow i n t he B ritish M useum ( Sturge c ollection), b ut i n t he o pinion o f t he p resent w riter i t l acks b oth t he c orrect p lanform a nd t he c orrect d egree o f r efinement t o b e i ncluded i n t his c lass. T here a re n o k nown d etails o f i ts f ind-spot o r p rovenance. ( c) " The T hames" ( Figure 4 .1b,c) T wo h andaxes s imilar t o t he i mplement d escribed a bove h ave b een r ecovered f rom t he T hames a t W andsworth ( Museum o f L ondon A 5082) a nd a t H ammersmith ( Museum o f L ondon 3 6.217/33). A lthough t hey a re n ot c lassic b out c oupe h andaxes t hey d o a pproach t his f orm. A t hird h andaxe, r ecovered f rom P utney ( London M useum 2 7.1850), a gain h as a s lightly s imilar o utline s hape, a lthough i t l acks r efinement.

S URREY : ( a) F arnham : F irgrove G ravel P it A s lightly o void h andaxe w ith l ess p ronounced " angles" o n t he b utt t han i s u sual i n t he b out c oupe t ype o f h andaxe i s h oused i n L iverpool M useum . I t i s i n a f resh c ondition a nd h as a d eveloping w hite p atina. I n p rofile i t i s b iconvex a nd u ntwisted, a nd t he s traight c utting-edge i s c ontinuous. T here i s a s mall a rea o f c ortex, a nd a t ranchet f inish o n t he t ip o f o ne f ace. ( b) G odalming T his h andaxe w as f ound i n e xcavations a t H anaway R oad; t he w riter i s g rateful t o P at N icolaysen f or b ringing i t t o h er a ttention. I t a pproaches t he b out c oups f orm b ut h as a s lightly a typical o utline s hape. I

6 1

R EGION C : K ENT W ITH E ASTERNMOST S URREY T his a rea i ncludes t he c halk h ills t hat b order t he L ondon B asin o n i ts s outh s ide, w ith t heir e xtension i nto e ast K ent, p lus t he y ounger r ocks o f t he W ealden s eries ( which d o n ot c ontain f lint). T he d rainage i s m ainly n orth a nd n orth-east t hrough t hese u plands a nd m ust b e c losely r elated t o f ormer e xtensions o f t he p resent T hames a t v arious s tages o f t he P leistocene. T he M edway a nd S tour a re e xamples o f s uch r ivers. T he W eald p roper m ay w ell h ave b een f orested, a s i n m ore r ecent t imes, a nd h as p roduced l ittle m aterial. T he c halk u plands a nd t he r iver v alleys d issecting t hem a re p redictably m ore p rolific s ources o f P alaeolithic f inds o f a ll a ges. C .1: T he R iver M edway a nd i ts t ributaries ( 37,38) S nodland: J . C lubb's B allast P it, H am H ill, K ent ( c. T Q 7 04618) T wo b ifaces, d escribed b y R oe ( 1981, 2 61) a s c lassic b out c oupes a nd a s maller m ore o vate b iface, w ere r ecovered f rom a n e xcavation a djoining t he s ewage w ork g ate, 1 /4 m ile S .S.W . o f H am H ill. T hey w ere g iven t o M r J .N . C arreck, w ho r etains t he t wo b out c oupes i n h is p rivate c ollection. T he t hird, s maller, h andaxe i s n ow i n D artford M useum. A lthough t he b out c oupes w ere a ctually f ound a t t he s creening p lant, t he w orkmen h ad n o d oubt t hat t hey c ame f rom t he l owest f ive f eet o f b uried c hannel g ravels b elonging t o t he R iver M edway o r a t ributary s tream . T hese g ravels h ave b een a ttributed t o a n e arly i nterstadial o f t he D evensian; t hey h ave y ielded t he r emains o f w oolly r hinoceros, m ammoth, h orse a nd r ed d eer. U nfortunately t he t wo b out c oup eh andaxes a re c urrently n ot a vailable f or d etailed i nspection a s t hey h ave b een t emporarily m islaid ( J . C arreck 1 984 , p ers. c omm .). T his i s r ather u nfortunate, a s i t w ould a ppear t hat t hese i mplements m ight h ave b een i n a s uitably f resh c ondition f or m icrowear s tudies ( Roe 1 985, p ers. c omm.). I t h as b een p ossible t o e xamine o utline d rawings a nd p hotographs o f t hese h andaxes, a nd t hey c ertainly s eem t o f it i nto t he b out c oupe i mplement c lass. T he d escriptions g iven b elow a re b ased o n i nformation s upplied b y R oe, t o w hom M r C arreck s howed t he i mplements s everal y ears a go. T he t hird b iface d oes n ot f it i nto t his c lass. ( 37) F igure 3 .2(37) L 1 52mm, B 1 05mm , T 2 6mm. A f airly l arge s traight-butted b out c oupe m ade f rom a n o paque b lack f lint s peckled w ith g rey. T here i s l ocalised i ron s taining o n b oth f aces, b ut t he i mplement i s i n m int c ondition. T here a re t wo t ranchet s cars o n t he t ip. ( 38) F igure 3 .2(38) L 1 35mm, B 9 2mm , T 3 1mm. T his h andaxe i s m ade f rom a n o live-brown " marbled" f lint o f ak ind m uch u sed b y L ower P alaeolithic i mplement m akers a t S wanscombe a nd T wydall. I t i s i n a n e xtremely f resh c ondition, a lthough t here h as b een s ome s light m echanical d amage t o t he t ip. I t t oo h as t he t ypical f lat-butted c ordate p lanform a nd i s b iconvex i n p rofile. R eferences ( 1) M itchell e t a l. 1 973, 5 1, n ote 1 3. ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 61.

6 2

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 37) S nodland

( 38) S nodland

6 3

( 39) O ldbury R ockshelters, K ent ( TQ 5 82562) B ritish M useum ( 93.323.4) T he O ldbury R ockshelters s ite l ies o n t he n orth-eastern s ide o f O ldbury H ill, w est o f I ghtham v illage. S ir E dward H arrison h as g iven d etails o f t he g eology o f t he h ill ( 1933, 1 46-7). T he r ockshelters w ere f ormed i n t he h ard O ldbury r ock; m uch o f t his h as n ow b een r emoved b y e xtensive q uarrying, a nd t he r ockshelters n o l onger e xist i n t heir o riginal f orm . B enjamin H arrison c ollected m any P alaeolithic i mplements f rom O ldbury H ill a nd i ts n eighbourhood, r ecognising a mong t hem a n u nworn a nd w hite p atinated s eries w hich o ccurred b oth a round t he h ill a nd i n a g reat c oncentration o n t he h ill. H arrison s tarted e xcavations o n t he h ill i n 1 890. H e r ecovered " 49 w ell-finished i mplements o r p ortions o f t hem a nd 6 8 w aste f lakes" f rom a n a rea o f a bout " 10 r ods". U nfortunately, f ew s tratigraphic d etails h ave b een p reserved, a nd n o a ssociated d ating e vidence w as f ound, a lthough f auna f rom f issures i n t he r ock a bout 2 km f rom t he s ite i s d ated t o t he e arly D evensian ( Abbott 1 894). T he h andaxe a ssemblage ( apparently r ecovered f rom a s tony l ayer; C ollins a nd C ollins 1 970 , 1 59) h as b een s tudied m etrically b y R oe ( 1968, 1 8), C ollins a nd C ollins ( 1970) a nd C allow ( 1976, 4 .36). T he m ajority o f t he b ifaces a re s mall c ordiforms a nd d iscs, a nd t he a ssemblage h as b een p laced b y R oe i n h is G roup V I. A pproximately 2 0% o f t he h andaxes a re t wisted -somewhat u nusual f or a M ousterian s ite - and 2% h ave a 2 t ranchet f inish. L ittle f lake m aterial h as b een p reserved, b ut t he e mployment o f a p repared c ore t echnique i s o bvious, a nd t here a re s ome w ell-made t ools, i ncluding s everal r acloirs, a nd s ome p seudo-Levallois p oints. T he g enerally a ccepted M ousterian s tatus o f t he s ite t herefore r ests o n p urely t ypological a nd t echnological a rguments, d epending u pon t he p repared c ore c omponent a nd t he p resence o f w ell-made f lake t ools a nd t ypical M ousterian i mplements. R oe h as i dentified f ive h andaxes o f b out c oupe t ype f rom t he R ockshelters s ite, n ow h oused i n t he B ritish M useum , t wo o f t hem b eing " of p articularly r egular s hape" ( 1981, 2 61), w hile D .M . C ollins ( in C ollins a nd C ollins 1 970, 1 62) s tates t hat t wo h andaxes ( op. c it., F igures 4 .5 a nd 6 .17) a pproach t he " Paxton t ype". T he p resent w riter f eels t hat o nly o ne o f t he h andaxes c ould b e c onsidered t o b e ac lassic b out c oupe, a lthough r elatively s mall, w ith f our o thers ( Figures 3 9b-e) m erely a pproaching t his f orm . T hese f ive h andaxes s hould b e c ompared w ith i mplements c ollected b y H arrison f rom t he n eighbouring a reas, a nd i n p articular w ith f our b ifaces c ollected f rom I ghtham , I ghtham ( Heronshaw), a nd O ldbury ( Figures 3 9f-h) a nd a n i mplement f rom P arsonage F arm , A sh ( Roe 1 981, 2 59). A ll t hese h andaxes a re a lso i n t he B ritish M useum , a nd a re s imilar i n s ize, s hape a nd r efinement t o t he i mplements f rom t he R ockshelters s ite. ( 39) F igure 3 .2(39a) B ritish M useum L 7 0mm , B4 7mm , T 1 5mm . A s mall b ut t ypical b out c oupe h andaxe w ith r efined a nd d elicate s oft-hammer f lake r emovals a nd a n a ngled b utt. T here i s a w hite p atina o n b oth f aces, a nd t he e dge r uns a ll a round t he i mplement, a nd i s s traight. I n p rofile t he h andaxe a ppears f lat a nd u ntwisted. R eferences ( 1) R .A . S mith 1 926, P late V . ( 2) C ollins a nd C ollins 1 970. ( 3) R oe 1 981, 2 61.

6 4

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 39b)

( 39c) ( 39d)

( 39e)

( 39f)

( 39) O ldbury 6 5

( 40) N ew H ythe, K ent ( TQ 7 12598); F igure 3 .2(40) T here i s n o i nformation a bout t he p recise p rovenance o f t his b iface. N umerous h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered f rom N ew H ythe, t he m ajority a re p ointed h andaxes, i ncluding s ome f icrons. M ost o f t he i mplements a re i n a f resh c ondition. T hey c ome f rom t he q uarry i n N ew H ythe L ane, a lthough o ne i s m arked " Johnson's P it". T here i s a lso a s ubstantial q uantity o f L evalloisian m aterial, s ome f rom N ew H ythe L ane a nd s ome s imply m arked " New H ythe". I t i s n ot c lear w hether t he L evalloisian m aterial w as a ssociated w ith t he h andaxes, b ut s everal o f t he p ieces a re s imilar i n c ondition a nd p atina. R etouched f lakes, i ncluding s crapers a nd a p oint, h andaxe t rimmers a nd w aste f lakes a re a lso p resent. T his m aterial i s d ivided b etween M aidstone a nd D artford M useums. M aidstone M useum L 1 30mm , B 9 8mm, T 2 6mm. A t ypically s haped a lmost u nworn b out c oupe b iface, w ith a w ell-worked b utt a nd s ome f ine f lat f lake r emovals o n b oth f aces. I t i s u npatinated a nd i s m ade f rom a d ark f lint. I t h as a f lat u ntwisted p rofile, a nd t he s traight c utting-edge e xtends c ompletely r ound t he c ircumference. T here i s o ne s mall a rea o f r esidual c ortex, a nd n o t ranchet s car o n e ither f ace. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 60.

C .2: E ast K ent ( 41) F aversham : B renley C orner, K ent ( c. T R 0 161); F igure 3 .2(41) C anterbury R oyal M useum ( L 1 96 4 /1 ) T his h andaxe w as f ound i n r oadworks w hen t he M 2 m otorway w as b eing b uilt, 9 .5 m iles t o t he n orth-west o f B renley C orner ( Canterbury M useum r egister). N o f urther d etails o f i ts d iscovery o r s tratigraphy a re k nown. L 1 21mm , B '80mm, T 2 7mm. T he h andaxe i s aw ell-made m edium-sized f lat-butted b out c oupe, w ith a w hite p atina o n b oth f aces. I t h as t he t ypical p lanform o f t his t ype a nd a s lightly p iano-convex a nd t wisted p rofile. T he c utting-edge, w hich h as s uffered s ome s light m echanical d amage, r uns a ll a round t he h andaxe a nd i s s traight. T he h andaxe i s s omewhat w orn. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 59.

( 42) H erne B ay: H ampton, K ent ( TR 1 82699); F igure 3 .2(42) B ritish M useum ( P196A 1 2-6 1 98) T his b iface w as f ound b y T .H . P owell, b ut n o d etails . of i ts p recise p rovenance a re k nown. E vans ( 1897, 6 13) r ecords a t l east 1 00 i mplements f rom H erne B ay, w ith p ointed A cheulian s hapes p redominant. M any w ere f ound o n t he s ea-shore, h aving f allen f rom t he g ravel c apping t he c liffs a bove. L 1 05mm, B 8 2mm, T 2 6mm. T he h andaxe s eems t o b e a t ypical b ut r ather b road b out c oupe, w ith a r elatively t hick u ntwisted b iconvex p rofile. I t h as d elicate s oft-hammer f laking o n b oth f aces, w ith a s mall p atch o f r esidual c ortex b ut n o u nworked a reas a nd n o t ranchet s cars o n t he t ip. T he c utting-edge e xtends a ll r ound, a nd i s s traight. I t i s u nrolled b ut a l ittle s hiny, a nd h as a s light i ron s tain o n b oth f aces. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 60.

6 6

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 40) N ew H ythe

( 41) F aversham

( 42) H erne B ay

6 7

( 43) R eculver, K ent ( c. T R 2 15691); F igure 3 .2(43) B ritish M useum ( 1903 1-15 1 7) T his h andaxe w as r ecovered i n 1 877, b ut a gain t here a re n o f urther d etails o f i ts d iscovery, a nd n o k nown a ssociations. N umerous h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered f rom t he n eighbourhood o f R eculver a nd H erne B ay , a nd E vans ( 1897, 6 13-6) h as i llustrated s everal e xamples. P ointed h andaxes s eem t o b e d ominant i n w hat m ust c ertainly b e a m ixed a ssemblage. M any o f t he i mplements h ave b een r ecovered o n t he s ea s hore, h aving f allen f rom t he g ravel c apping t he c liffs a bove; t here i s s till r apid c liff e rosion i n p rogress. T his m aterial i s n ow d ispersed i n m useums t hroughout B ritain. L 1 04mm , B7 2mm , T 2 5mm. T he b iface i s u npatinated a nd u nrolled, a lthough t here h as b een s ome s light m odern m echanical d amage t o t he e dges. I t h as a w ell-worked f lat-butted c ordate p lanform , a nd a r efined a nd s lightly t wisted p rofile. T he s traight c utting-edge e xtends c ompletely r ound t he c ircumference, a nd t here a re n o p atches o f c ortex. T he f lake r emovals a re p erhaps l ess f lat a nd r efined t han i s u sual, p ossibly d ue t o u se o f t he h ard-hammer o nly. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 61.

( 44) C anterbury: S t. S tephen 's P it, K ent ( c. T R 1 557); F igure 3 .2(44) B ritish M useum ( 1923 4 -12.3) S t. S tephen's P it w as a lso k nown a s 4 0 A cre P it. I t w as s ituated b ehind t he r ailway e mbankment o n t he W hitstable ( SP) b ranch l ine a t H ackington , a nd c ontained a bout 6 ft o f b rickearth o verlying 1 2-14 f t o f g ravel. A m ixed s eries o f a bout 4 0 a rtifacts c ame f rom t he p it ( Roe 1 981, 2 59); t hey a re a lmost a ll s tained a r eddish c olour. I n c ontrast t he h andaxe d escribed b elow h as a w hite p atina , a s h as a L evalloisian f lake b lade f rom t he s ame p it ( also i n t he B ritish M useum). L8 3mm , B5 7mm , T 2 1mm . T he h andaxe i s p atinated w hite o n b oth f aces a nd i s s lightly d amaged a nd w orn. I t i s r elatively s mall, b ut h as a t ypical o utline-shape w ith t wo " corners" o n t he b utt. I n p rofile i t i s u ntwisted a nd s omewhat p iano-convex ; t he c utting-edge e xtends a ll r ound t he h andaxe a nd i s s traight. T here a re s ome f ine f lake r emovals , a nd n o c ortex p atches o n e ither f ace. O ne f ace h as a t ranchet s car o n t he t ip. R eferences ( 1) R .A . S mith 1 926, 3 9. ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 59.

( 45) C anterbury: W allfield, K ent ( no p recise l ocation k nown); F igure 3 .2(45) B ritish M useum ( 1903 1-15 3 3) T his h andaxe w as f ound i n 1 880 , b ut t here a re n o f urther d etails o f i ts d iscovery o r e xact p rovenance. Lb roken , B9 7mm , T 2 6mm . A f ine a nd w ell-made f airly l arge f lat-butted b out c oups w hich h as s ustained s ome m echanical d amage t o t he t ip a nd b utt, a nd h as b een " restored" i n p laster. B oth f aces h ave a t hick w hite p atina . T he h andaxe i s o therwise u nrolled a nd i n f airly g ood c ondition. I t h as t he t ypical o utline-shape o f t his c lass, a nd a f lat a nd u ntwisted p rofile. T here a re s ome e legant f lake r emovals f rom e ach f ace. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 59.

6 8

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 43) R eculver

( 44) Canterbury S t. S tephen's P it

( 45) C anterbury W allfield

, , , : , , ,

6 9

( 46) C anterbury: W incheap, K ent ( TR 1 40575); F igure 3 .2(46) M aidstone M useum E vans ( 1897, 6 19) d escribes t he p its a t W incheap, a nd m entions t hat s everal i mplements c ame f rom h ere. T hese h ave n ow d isappeared. T he a rtifacts w ere a pparently r ecovered f rom a p it d ug i nto 1 2ft o f g ravel l ying u pon c halk, t he s urface o f t he g ravel b eing 2 9ft a bove t he R iver S tour. T he h andaxe d escribed b elow w as p resented t o M aidstone M useum b y J ohn M arten E sq . i n 1 892. T here a re n o p recise d etails o f i ts p rovenance, o r o f a ny d irect a ssociations. L9 5mm , B6 9mm , T 1 5mm . A s mall b ut t ypically-shaped b out c oups h andaxe w ith a s lightly t wisted p rofile a nd t wo t ranchet s cars o n t he t ip, o ne o n e ach f ace. T he re s ome c utting-edge e xtends a ll a round t he h andaxe, a nd t here a here i s a d elicate f lat f lake r emovals a nd n o a rea o f r esidual c ortex. T nd t here w hite p atina o n o ne f ace, " basket-work" p atina o n t he o ther, a h as b een s light m echanical d amage t o t he b utt. R eferences ( 1) E vans 1 897, 6 19. ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 59.

( 47,48) E lham : D reals F arm a nd S tandardhill F arm , K ent ( TR 1 97448) S tandardhill F arm i s a djacent t o D reals F arm , a bout 3 /4 m iles e ast o f E lham C hurch i n t he E lham V alley, w hich f ormerly c ontained a t ributary o f t he R iver S tour. M any i mplements h ave b een r ecovered f rom t he p loughed f ields o f t hese t wo f arms ( Tester 1 952, 8 5); t here a ppears t o b e b oth L ower a nd M iddle P alaeolithic m aterial p resent. T he f ields l ie a t a bout 4 00 f t O D . U nfortunately, m ost o f t he m aterial i s i n p rivate h ands, a nd i s u npublished. T here c ould b e o ne o r m ore i mportant s ites h ere, b ut a t t he m oment t here i s n o f urther i nformation a bout t he r ecovery o f t he t wo h andaxes d escribed b elow . ( 47) F igure 3 .2(47) C anterbury R oyal M useum ( R.M . 8 495) L 1 10mm , B8 2mm, T 2 4mm. A f ine m edium-sized b iface w ith t he c lassic b out c oup eo utline-shape a nd a n u ntwisted s lightly p iano-convex p rofile. T he c utting-edge r uns a ll a round t he h andaxe a nd i s u ntwisted. T here a re s oft-hammer f lake r emovals f rom e ach f ace, a nd o ne t ranchet s car o n t he t ip. T here a re n o p atches o f r esidual c ortex. T he h andaxe h as b een s lightly b attered a nd a braded, a nd h as a w hite p atina d eveloping o n b oth f aces. ( 48) F igure 3 .2(48) C anterbury R oyal M useum ( R .M . 8 388) L 1 26mm , B 8 4mm , T 2 7mm. A gain a r efined f lat-butted h andaxe, s imilar i n p lanform t o t he h andaxe d escribed a bove. I t h as a s lightly t wisted b iconvex p rofile, a nd a s traight c utting-edge e xtending a ll a round. T here a re s oft-hammer f lake r emovals o n b oth f aces, o ne s mall c ortex p atch a nd a t ranchet s car o n t he t ip. T he b iface i s u nrolled a nd u nworn, w ith a d eveloping w hite p atina m ore p ronounced o n o ne f ace. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 59.

7 0

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 46) C anterbury, W incheap

( 47, 4 8) E lham I III I IB

7 1

3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

C .3:

I mplements a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm

K ENT : ( a) C anterbury L iverpool M useum h as a n i mplement w hich a pproaches t he b out c oupe o utline-shape, b ut w hich i s s lightly b road a nd l acking i n r efinement. ( b) F aversham: C opton i n P reston T his h andaxe h as b een d escribed a nd i llustrated b y R .A . S mith ( 1915a, 3 6, F ig. 1 4) a s a " triangular i mplement, c reamy w hite o n t he c onvex f ace a nd b luish o n t he o ther, w hich i s t rimmed n early f lat; b oth e dges a re s lightly c urved, a nd o ne e nd o f t he s harp l ower e dge i s m ore a ngular t han t he o ther". F rom t he i llustration i t w ould a ppear t o b e m ade i n t he b out c oupe s tyle, a nd i t h as b een a ccepted a s s uch b y R oe ( 1981, 2 60). H owever, a s i ts p resent w hereabouts a re u nknown, t he a uthor h as n ot b een a ble t o m ake a n e xamination o f t he h andaxe, a nd s o i t i s n ot i ncluded i n t he c atalogue a bove. ( c) M aidstone D avid K elly h as i nformed t he w riter o f a h andaxe r ecently d iscovered i n E msworth R oad; i t h ad p robably b een b rought i n t opsoil t o a n ew h ousing e state. F rom t he o utline d rawing p rovided b y M r K elly t his w ould a ppear t o b e o f b out c oupe o r b out c oupe like f orm . ( d) N ewington R oe ( 1981, 2 61) m entions t hat t here i s a " small n arrow b out c oupe h andaxe, d amaged, s lightly w orn a nd w hite-patinated" w ith a p lano-convex p rofile h oused i n t he G eological M useum , L ondon. H owever, t his h andaxe c ould n ot b e f ound f or t he w riter i n 1 983 , a nd s o h as n ot b een i ncluded i n t he d etailed h andaxe a nalysis g iven i n t he t ext. ( e) O ldbury r egion F inds o f s ub-cordate a nd c ordate h andaxes a pproaching c lass h ave b een m entioned i n t he t ext a bove.

t he

b out

c oupe

( f) R eculver: B ishopstone R oe ( 1981, 2 61) h as s uggested t hat a b iface f rom R eculver ( British M useum 1 903 1 1-15.79) i s a b out c oupe type, b ut i n t he o pinion o f t he p resent w riter i t d oes n ot h ave t he c orrect p lanform s hape a nd s hould m ore c orrectly b e r egarded a s a s ub-triangular/ovate i mplement.

S URREY : L impsfield L impsfield l ies a t t he h ead o f t he D arent V alley o n a r idge b etween t he c halk e scarpment a nd t he L ower G reensand H ills, a bout 1 7km t o t he s outh w est o f t he O ldbury R ockshelter. L impsfield C ommon l ies o n t he w atershed o f t he O xted S tream a nd t he D arent R iver. M any P alaeolithic a rtifacts w ere c ollected f rom t he e ast a nd s outh-east o f L impsfield v illage b etween 1 883-1906. T here a ppears t o h ave b een n o f ormal a rchaeological e xcavation i n t he a rea. T he l argest e xtant c ollection i s t hat o f A . M ontgomerie B ell, w ho l ived l ocally; m uch o f B ell's

7 2

c ollection i s n ow h oused i n t he P itt R ivers M useum , O xford, a nd o ther L impsfield m aterial i s i n t he B ritish M useum. H owever, i t s eems l ikely t hat m any o f t he p ieces w hich w ere f ound h ave s ince b een l ost, a nd t he s elective n ature o f t he s urviving B ell c ollection ( 80% b ifaces, b ut o nly 1 4% u nretouched f lakes) m akes t he o riginal c omposition o f t he a ssemblage d ifficult t o a ssess. U nfortunately, B ell h as l eft f ew r ecords o f h is w ork a nd t he s ite i s v irtually u npublished, a lthough i t h as b een b riefly m entioned b y R oe ( 1981, 2 66), a nd C otton e t a l. ( 1984, 5 ) h ave r ecently p ublished a s hort d escriptive l ist o f t he k nown a rtifacts. T he s urviving B ell c ollection i s e xtremely m ixed, w ith e lements r anging f rom P alaeolithic b ifaces t o N eolithic c elt r oughouts a nd s ome B ronze A ge m aterial. H andaxes f orm t he m ost c ommon i mplement-class, w ith s mall a nd f requently t wisted o vate a nd s ub-cordiform p ieces j ust d ominant. T he u se o f t he L evallois t echnique i s i ndicated b y t he p resence o f a t l east f ive L evallois f lakes, a nd o ne o vate w hich a ppears t o h ave b een u sed a s a L evallois c ore, b ut s ince f ew f lakes w ere c ollected w e c annot r eally a ssess i ts f requency. T he m ajority o f t he b ifaces s eem t o b elong, o n p urely t ypological g rounds, t o t he M iddle o r L ate A cheulian ( see h owever R oe's c omments 1 981, 2 66), b ut s ome o f t he s maller c ordiform b ifaces, s everal s teep-edged s idescrapers a nd a l imande-like t ool s uggest t hat t here i s a lso a M ousterian c omponent w ithin t he m ixture. U nfortunately, t hese i mplements c annot b e s eparated f rom t he r est o f t he c ollection o n t he g rounds o f c ondition, p rovenance o r p atination. R oe h as s tated ( 1981, 2 66) t hat t he B ell C ollection c ontains a t l east t wo, a nd p robably m ore, b out c oupe h andaxes. H owever, a fter a d etailed s tudy o f t he c ollection t he p resent w riter d ecided t hat n one o f t he b ifaces c ould b e r egarded a s t rue b out c oupes, a lthough a t l east t wo b ifaces d o-approach t he t ypical f orm .

R EGION D :

S OUTH E AST C OAST A ND T HE S USSEX W EALD

T he a rchaeological e vidence f or t he L ower a nd M iddle P alaeolithic p eriods i n S ussex h as r ecently b een r evised i n d etail b y W oodcock ( 1981). W ithout p resenting a p recise d efinition o f t he t erm , W oodcock i dentifies s everal i mplements a s " approaching t he b out c oupe f orm"; t hese h andaxes a re d iscussed b elow . T he g ravels o f t he S ussex r ivers h ave y ielded r elatively f ew p alaeoliths, p erhaps d ue t o t he a bsence o f i ntensive g ravel w orking i n t he r egion; t he t wo h andaxes a ccepted b y t he w riter a s t ypical b out c oupe b ifaces a re r elatively h igh l evel f inds. T here a re f ew f inds o f L evalloisian m aterial i n t his r egion ( Woodcock 1 981, 3 73). T his r egion i s t he s outhern e dge o f t he f ormer " Wealdon D ome", w ith c halk r epresented b y t he S outh D owns w estward f rom B eachy H ead. F lint i s c ommon i n t he w est a nd r are i n t he e ast ( except f or t he f lint-rich s hingle b eaches a long t he m odern c oast). T he r ivers d rain s outhwards w ith g orges o r s teep v alleys t hrough t he c halk. W est S ussex h as a n i mportant c oastal p lain, n otably i n t he C hichester t o W orthing a rea, w ith S elsey B ill a p art o f i t. T here a re a lso i mportant P leistocene d eposits a nd r aised b eaches h ere.

7 3

D .1: F inds o f b out c oupe h andaxes

( 49) B illingshurst, S ussex ( TQ 0 72269); F igure 3 .2(49); P late I I L ewes M useum T here i s n o p recise i nformation c oncerning t he p rovenance o f t his b iface . " Rowner" ( marked o n t he h andaxe) i s t he n ame o f a f arm a bout o ne m ile t o t he n orth w est o f B illingshurst. T he i mplement f ormed p art o f t he c ollection o f t he l ate M r J ames S herlock o f B illingshurst, a nd w as r escued b y M r J ohn H urd w hen, a fter M r S herlock 's d eath , h is c ollection w as u sed t o f ill i n p ot h oles i n t he d rive l eading t o h is h ouse -a s omewhat d rastic e xample o f a n a rtifact n ot i n p rimary c ontext. I t w ould h ave b een e ven m ore m isleading i f t he d rive h ad b een s urfaced w ith g ravel f rom s ome k nown p it. L 1 12mm , B8 2mm , T 2 8mm. Ac lassic b out c oupe b iface w ith t he t ypical o utline-shape a nd a b iconvex s lightly t wisted p rofile. I t i s p ossible t hat t he h andaxe w as m anufactured f rom a l arge n aturally f ractured " pot-lid" f lake r ather t han a m an-made f lake, o r a n odule, b ut n ot q uite e nough o riginal s urface r emains t o m ake t his c ertain. T he c utting-edge i s s traight a nd r uns a ll a round t he b iface, a lthough i t h as s ustained s ome s light m echanical d amage. T here a re s ome f ine f lat f lake r emovals f rom b oth f aces o f t he p iece, a nd t he t ip h as a l arge t ranchet s car w hich h as h inged u pwards. I t i s s lightly w orn, a nd h as a w hite p atination a nd a n i ntermittent o range/brown s taining o n b oth f aces. R eference T yldesley 1 983a, 1 83-4 , F ig. 1 .

( 50) W est C hiltington: W oods H ill, N r S torrington, S ussex ( TQ 0 93198); F igure 3 .2(50) W orthing M useum ( 55/82) T his h andaxe w as f ound i n 1 916 b y ap loughboy a fter p loughing a f ield o n ar elatively h igh p lateau a t a bout 2 50ft 0 .D . ( Garraway R ice 1 920). T here a re n o f urther d etails o f i ts p recise p rovenance. L 1 40mm , B9 4mm , T 2 2mm. A l arge , v ery f ine a nd f lat i mplement w ith e xtremely e legant s oft-hammer f lake r emovals o n b oth f aces. T he b utt i s v ery w ell m ade, w ith a n a lmost s traight b utt a nd t wo v ery c lear a ngles a t t he i ntersection w ith t he s traight e dges. I n p rofile i t i s f lat a nd u ntwisted, a nd t he s traight c utting-edge e xtends a round t he c ircumference. T he h andaxe i s i n a n a lmost u nrolled c ondition, b ut h as a n o range s tained p atina o n b oth f aces. G rinsell, w riting o ver f ifty y ears a go ( 1929, 1 81), b elieved t he i mplement t o b e a " proto c elt", o n a ccount o f i ts a xe-like s hape, b ut R oe ( 1981, 2 66) a nd W oodcock ( 1981, 3 64) b oth c lass i t a s a b out c oupe type, a nd t he p resent w riter a grees. R eferences ( 1) G arraway R ice 1 920. ( 2) G rinsell 1 929, 1 81. ( 3) R oe 1 981, 2 66. ( 4) W oodcock 1 981, 3 64, F ig. 1 71.1.

7 4

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 49) B illingshurst

( 50) W est C hiltington

7 5

D .2: I mplements a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm

( a) A lfriston: H obbs H awth A s mall, s lightly a braded c ordiform h andaxe m ade o f a d ark f lint w ith a s light p atination a nd s ome s taining i s h oused i n L ewes M useum ( Woodcock 1 981, 3 34; F ig. 1 57:4.). ( b) B ullock D own: B lack R obin F arm W oodcock ( 1982, 4 2) m entions a s ub-triangular i mplement " strongly r eminiscent o f t he b out c oupe c lass o f h andaxe a nd i ts r elated f orms". U nfortunately t his h andaxe i s n ot i llustrated. ( c) L ancing T his h andaxe w as d iscovered b y W oodcock i n t he N eolithic c ollection o f L ewes M useum . I t i s a s mall, p resumably M ousterian, b iface w ith a b out c oupe like o utline b ut w ith s lightly r ough f laking a nd a t hick p rofile. I t h as a w hite p atina o n b oth f aces. ( d) N ewhaven T his h andaxe w as n oted b y R oger J acobi i n t he N eolithic p art o f t he B righton m useum c ollection ( R1495/2). J acobi ( 1985, p ers. c omm.) d escribes i t a s a f lat-butted c ordiform , s lightly p lano-convex i n p rofile w ith m ore f lake s cars o n t he u pper s urface. T he b utt h as t wo c lear " angles" b ut a lso a n u nworked p atch o f c ortex. T he h andaxe h as a m ottled p atina a nd s ome i ncipient f rost-cracks. ( e) F urther e xamples o f S ussex h andaxes a pproaching t he b out c oupe type h ave b een r ecovered f rom : A lfriston A lfriston T ye B urlough C astle E astbourne F riston H assocks ( Parklands R d, L itlington W ilmington H ill

D owns V iew R d a nd L ondon R d)

T hese b ifaces a re n ow d ivided b etween t he B ritish M useum , L ondon a nd L ewes M useum.

t he M useum o f

T wo o ther i mplements, f rom t he A shdown F orest ( Woodcock 1 983) a nd f rom E ast D ean ( Woodcock 1 981), a re c onsidered b y W oodcock t o b e b out c oupe h andaxes, a lthough t here i s s ome d oubt a bout t he E ast D ean s pecimen o n t he g rounds t hat i t c ould p ossibly b e a N eolithic a xe r oughout. B oth a ppear t o b e r elatively c rude, a nd l acking t he c lassic s traight-butted o utline-shape.

7 6

R EGION E : S OUTH C OAST A ND H INTERLAND F ROM B EER H EAD T O S ELSEY T his r egion h as y ielded f ar m ore p alaeoliths t han t he a djacent R egion D ; t his s eems t o b e d ue b oth t o m ore i ntensive g ravel-working a nd t o t he e nthusiasm o f l ocal a rchaeologists. T he b roadly c entripetal c haracter o f t he d rainage p attern i n t his r egion g ives i t a c ertain u nity, w ith t he r ivers d raining t owards t he C hannel. T he c halk r im o f t he H ampshire b asin i s f airly w ell d efined, f orming a n e dge s eparating t he a rea f rom t he W eald t o t he s outh-east, a nd f rom t he V ales o f P ewsey, W arminster a nd W ardour t o t he n orth-west. C halk a lso o ccurs o n t he I sle o f W ight, a nd i n t he N eedles.

E .1: S olent a nd t he H ampshire B asin ( 51) S alisbury: F isherton, W iltshire ( c. S U 1 40299); F igure 3 .2(15) S alisbury M useum ( HPB28) T his h andaxe w as f ound " in l oess b eneath t he r emains o f m ammoth" i n 1 874 . T he f auna f rom t he F isherton b rickearths h ave b een d escribed i n d etail b y E vans ( 1897, 6 30); i t i s a r ather m ixed a ssemblage b ut c ontains m any c old —adapted s pecies . E vans m entions t hat a nother a rtifact ( perhaps a b iface?) m ay h ave c ome f rom t his s ite, b ut t his o bject h as n ot b een t raced b y t he p resent w riter. L 1 20mm , B8 2mm , T 2 1mm. T he b iface i s w hite p atinated a nd w eathered, w ith p atches o f e xfoliation o n b oth f aces. I t h as c lear a ngles a t t he i ntersection o f t he s ides w ith t he t ip, a s lightly c onvex b utt a nd a r ounded t ip. I n p rofile t he h andaxe i s f lat a nd s lightly p lano-convex, a nd t he c utting-edge r uns a ll r ound t he c ircumference a nd i s s traight. T he f lake r emovals a re p erhaps l ess d elicate t han i s u sual, a nd s eem t o i ndicate t he u se o f ah ard-hammer t echnique. R eferences ( 1) E vans 1 897, 6 30 , F ig. 4 74. ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 66 , F ig. 6 :8 .6. F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 51) S alisbury

7 7

( 52) D unbridge, H ampshire ( SU 3 19261); F igure 3 .2(52) B ritish M useum ( 1919 1 1-31) T he D unbridge g ravel p it, T est V alley, i s o ne o f t he m ost a bundant L ower P alaeolithic f ind-spots i n B ritain, w ith o ver 1 000 h andaxes r ecovered. U nfortunately, t here h as b een l ittle p ublication o f t his m aterial ( see R .A. S mith 1 926, 6 4-5). T he p its l ie a t a bout 1 50 f t O D , w ith t he g ravel v arying f rom 1 4-20 f t i n d epth. A n u pper b and o f w hite g ravel a bout 6 ft t hick l ay o n t op o f am ore o chreous g ravel ( R .A . S mith 1 931, 8 0). O n t he g rounds o f p atination t wo A cheulian s eries o f a rtifacts c an b e r ecognised: p atinated w ith h eavy s taining, a nd w hite p atinated. H owever, t here i s n o s tratigraphic e vidence t o c onfirm t his d ivision a nd t he c olour d ifferences c ould b e o f p urely p ost-depositional o rigin. P ointed A cheulian h andaxes a re d ominant i n b oth g roups, a lthough t here a re a lso s ome w ell-made o vates a nd t he w hite s eries h as a h igh p ercentage o f m ore r efined p ointed i mplements ( Roe 1 981, 2 06). T his m aterial i s n ow w idely s cattered ( consult R oe 1 968a, 9 6). T he b iface d escribed b elow i s i n am uch f resher c ondition t han t he A cheulian m aterial, a nd h as a d ifferent p atination. N o p recise d etails o f i ts d iscovery o r p rovenance a re k nown, b ut t here s eems t o b e n o r eason t o l ink i t w ith t he L ower P alaeolithic a rtifacts. L 1 02mm , B 7 4mm , T 2 3mm. T his h andaxe h as b een d escribed i n d etail b y R .A . S mith ( 1931, 3 6). I t h as a t ypical s hape, w ith c lear " corners" o n t he b utt, a s lightly c onvex b utt-edge, s lightly c onvex s ides a nd a w ell-rounded t ip. I n p rofile t here i s a s light " S" t wist t o t he c utting-edge. T here a re f lat f lake r emovals f rom e ach f ace, a lthough t he b utt i s n ot q uite f ully w orked; t here i s a s mall p atch o f r esidual c ortex o n e ach f ace. T here h as b een s ome m echanical d amage t o t he e dges o f t he i mplement, b ut i t i s i n f airly f resh c ondition, w ith a y ellow-white p atina o n e ach f ace. R eferences ( 1) R .A . S mith 1 931, 3 6. ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 57.

( 53) H ighbridge: E astleigh , H ampshire ( c. S U 4 60210); F igure 3 .2(53) A ndover M useum ( 1969.175/1) T his h andaxe w as f ound b y t he R ev S .J. P ercival, w ho c ollected f lint t ools i n t he 1 920's a nd 1 930 's. U nfortunately t here a re n o f urther d etails o f i ts p rovenance o r s tratigraphy, a nd t he h andaxe h as n ever b een p ublished. T he w riter i s g rateful t o D avid A llen, w ho r e-discovered t his h andaxe i n A ndover M useum s tore i n 1 984, f or i nforming h er o f i t. L 1 10mm , B 7 5mm , T 2 5mm. T his h andaxe h as a t ypical, i f s lightly a symmetrical, b out c oupe o utline-shape, w ith a m arked d iscontinuity o f c urvature a t t he i ntersection o f t he b utt w ith t he s ides a nd a r ounded t ip. T here a re a f ew d elicate f lat s oft-hammer f lake r emovals o n e ither f ace, n o p atches o f c ortex o r u nworked a reas a nd n o t ranchet s cars o n t he t ip. I n p rofile t he h andaxe i s b iconvex a nd u ntwisted, w ith a s traight c utting-edge e xtending f ully r ound t he c ircumference. T he b iface w as c learly m ade o n a f lake. I t n ow h as a c reamy p atina o n b oth f aces, w ith s ome s light i ron s taining. I t i s i n a w orn a nd w eathered c ondition, w ith b oth a ncient a nd m odern d amage t o t he t ip a nd t he b utt.

7 8

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 52) D unbridge

( 53) H ighbridge

7 9

( 54,55) S outhampton, H ampshire ( c. S U 4 20120) T here a re n umerous f inds o f h andaxes f rom t he S outhampton a rea, i ncluding m any p ointed i mplements. T he t wo h andaxes d escribed b elow a re p robably s urface f inds, b ut t here a re n o k nown d etails o f d iscovery o r p recise p rovenance f or e ither i mplement. ( 54) F igure 3 .2(54) B ritish M useum L 1 46mm, B 1 09mm. A r elatively l arge h andaxe i n a s lightly w orn c ondition. I t h as a t ypical f lat-butted b out c oupe s hape, a nd a f lat a nd r efined p rofile w ith n o s ign o f a t wist. A s traight c utting-edge e xtends a ll r ound t he p iece. T here a re f lat f lake r emovals f rom b oth f aces, w ith n o t ranchet s cars o n t he t ip a nd n o t races o f r esidual c ortex. ( 55) F igure 3 .2(55); P late I II P itt R ivers M useum , O xford ( Teaching C ollection) L 1 22mm , B8 4mm, T 2 9mm. T his h andaxe h as b een s lightly d amaged a t t he t ip, b ut i t s till h as a d efinite f lat-butted o utline-shape, w ith w ell-defined a ngles a t t he b ase. I n p rofile t he i mplement i s f lat a nd u ntwisted w ith a c ontinuous c utting-edge. I t i s f ully w orked, w ith n o t races o f c ortex. T he b iface i s s lightly w orn a nd h as a p atchy w hite p atina m ore p ronounced o n o ne f ace t han t he o ther. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 58

( 56,57) F areham, H ampshire ( c. S U 5 66064) T wo b roken f lat-butted c ordate h andaxes w ere f ound i n t he g arden o f a h ouse i n B lackbrook P ark A venue b y M r C .H. B riscoe, w ho g ave t he i mplements t o M r J .C . D raper. N ot f ar a way i n E ast S treet, M r D raper l ater f ound a t hird h andaxe w hich w as n ot a t rue b out c oup , b ut w hich w as i n a s omewhat s imilar c ondition t o t he o ther t wo h andaxes. T hese t hree i mplements h ave b een e xamined b y R oe ( 1981, 2 57), b ut u nfortunately, d ue t o t he u ntimely d eath o f M r D raper, t hey w ere n ot a vailable f or i nspection b y t he p resent w riter t hough s he d id s ee a c olour s lide o f t hem g iven b y M r D raper t o R oe s everal y ears a go. ( 56) T his i mplement h as b een d amaged a t t he t ip, b ut t he b utt c lassic a ngled s hape a nd s ome e legant f lake r emovals. I t h as a w hite p atina s tained o range o n b oth f aces.

h as a p atchy

( 57) T his h andaxe h as b oth t he b utt a nd t ip m issing, b ut i n t he o pinion o f R oe i t i s a t rue " bout c oupe". I t i s w hite p atinated w ith s pots a nd s treaks o f r usty-looking i ron s tain. T here a re i ndications o f w eathering o n b oth f aces. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 57.

8 0

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 54) S outhampton

( 55) S outhampton

8 1

E .2: I sle o f W ight

( 58) S hide: P an F arm, I sle o f W ight ( SZ 5 07886) C arisbrooke C astle M useum, I .O .W . T he P an G ravel P it, G reat P an F arm , w as o pened i n 1 912. B etween 1 920 a nd 1 925 H .F . P oole c ollected m any p alaeoliths f rom t he s ite, c hecking a nd r ecording t he p rovenance o f e ach i mplement, a lthough h e n ever f ormally e xcavated a t t he s ite. T he s tratigraphy o f t he p it a nd t he r ecovered i mplements h ave b een r ecorded b y P oole ( 1925, 3 08). T he p it i s n ow o ver-grown a nd w aterlogged. P oole ( 1925) r ecords f inding o ver 6 40 a rtifacts i n t he p it, t he m ajority b eing r ecovered f rom t he l ower y ellow g ravel, b eneath t he c layey s and. M any o f t hese a ppear n ow t o b e l ost; S hackley ( 1975, 9 6) m entions t hat o nly 12 a re n ow a vailable f or s tudy, w hile R oe ( 1968a, 1 35) l ists a t l east 1 20 a rtifacts. T he p resent w riter h as b een a ble t o l ocate a nd e xamine 2 94; l ess t han h alf o f P oole's o riginal t otal. T ypologically, t he i ndustry/industries f rom t he y ellow g ravels ( both u pper a nd l ower) c an c ertainly b e c lassed a s M ousterian, a s t hey w ere b y R oe ( 1981, 2 40), a nd a re i ndeed s imilar i n m any r espects t o t he i ndustry r ecovered f rom t he O ldbury R ockshelters s ite. T here i s a h igh p roportion o f r efined c ordiform , s ub-cordiform a nd o vate b ifaces i ncluding a t l east t wo h andaxes w hich h ave b een i dentified b y S hackley ( 1975, 1 05) a s t ypical b out c oupe types, a nd s everal s imilar f orms, s ome w ell-made f lake t ools i ncluding s crapers a nd b acked k nives, a nd d efinite L evallois f lakes. R oe ( 1968, 6 3) p laces t he g roup o f b ifaces f rom t his a ssemblage i n h is " Ovate T radition" G roup V I ( more p ointed o vate s hapes) s ub-group D , a long w ith t he O ldbury R ockshelters i ndustry. T he i mplements i n t he C arisbrooke C astle M useum c ollection e xamined b y t he p resent w riter ( 1984) a re l isted t ogether w ith t heir l ayers, b elow : U pper y ellow g ravel: h andaxes ? handaxe r oughout s idescraper b acked k nife L evallois b lades h andaxe t rimmers f lakes m iscellaneous T OTAL

1 3 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 4 4 6

J unction c lay s and/lower g ravel: h andaxe f ragment L ower y ellow g ravel: h andaxes s idescrapers e ndscraper l imace p roto-limace

1 1

2 9 1 0 1 1 2

8 2

p iercer n aturally b acked k nife p seudo-Levallois p oint L evallois b lades L evallois f lakes r etouched f lakes h andaxe t rimmers f lakes m iscellaneous T OTAL

2 2 1 2 1 0 6 4 1 24 2 9 23 2

L ower r ed g ravel: h andaxes s idescraper ? limace L evallois f lake r etouched f lake f lakes T OTAL

2 1 1 1 1 3 9

A lso: " Top w hite" " Gravel b elow s and" " Middle c lay'

" Clay b and"

1 1 9 1 1 1

f lake f ragment f lake b ifaces ? limande L evallois f lake f lake

O n p urely t ypological g rounds t he i mplements f rom t he u pper a nd l ower g ravels a nd t he " clayey b and" c ould w ell b e f rom t he s ame a ssemblage; a n e xamination o f t he b ifaces f rom e ach l ayer r evealed n o m arked d ifference-in s ize, s hape, c ondition o r t echnology, a lthough t he s mall s ample o f h andaxes a vailable d oes n ot m ake a s tatistical t est p articularly v alid. B oth R oe ( 1967) a nd C allow ( 1976) a ccepted t he i mplements a s a n u nmixed a ssemblage, i ncluding i t i n t heir m etrical a nalysis. S hackley ( 1973, 5 50) h as u sed t he e vidence o f t he b each s and t o d ate t he a ssemblage t o t he l ate I pswichian I nterglacial, w hile J acobi ( 1982), p ointing o ut t hat n ot a ll t he p ieces c ome f rom w ithin o r b elow t he c layey s and, s uggests t hat w hile t he d iscard o f t he m ajority o f t he p ieces m ay h ave o ccurred d uring t he I pswichian, s ome i mplements ( including t he o ne " bout c oupe" type h andaxe a ccepted b y R oe [ 1981, 2 59]) m ay h ave b een d iscarded l ater. A lthough a n I pswichian d ate f or t he w hole a ssemblage ( or a l ate I pswichian d ate, f ollowing S hackley 1 973) i s e arlier t han t he d ates s uggested b y o ther r ecognised B ritish " MTA" s ites ( generally c onsidered t o b e D evensian, o r e arly D evensian) i t i s n ot p articularly s urprising a s a t l east p art o f t he n orthern F rench M TA c an a lso b e d ated t o t he l ate L ast I nterglacial/early G lacial ( see f or e xample B ordes 1 954). R oe ( 1981, 2 59) h as s tated t hat t here i s o ne c lassic b out c oupe type b iface f rom t he s ite ( Poole 1 925, F ig. 1 9), t ogether w ith s everal h andaxes w hich a pproach t he " bout c oulb" s hape. S hackley ( 1973, 5 48; 1 975, 9 6-105) b elieves t here t o b e a t l east t wo " bout c oup s" p resent ( the e xact n umber i s l eft s omewhat u nclear). W hen C arisbrooke C astle M useum w as v isited b y t he a uthor i n 1 984 t he i mplement i llustrated b y

8 3

P oole c ould n ot b e f ound, a lthough f rom i ts d rawing a nd R oe's d escription i t c ertainly d oes a ppear t o b e o f t ypical b out c oupe s hape. N o o ther t ypical b out c oupes w ere s een, a lthough t here w ere c ertainly s everal i mplements w hich a pproached f airly c lose t o t he c lass i n b oth o utline-plan a nd f laking t echnique. R eferences ( 1) ( 2) ( 3) ( 4) ( 5)

P oole 1 925, F ig. 1 9. S hackley 1 973, 5 48. S hackley 1 975, 9 6-105. R oe 1 981, 2 59, F ig. 6 :3. J acobi 1 982.

E .3: B ournemouth a rea a nd t he S tour V alley ( 59) C hristchurch: ( St.?) C atherine's H ill, D orset ( c. S Z 1 45958); F igure 3 .2(59) B irmingham C ity M useum ( 104.35-742) T his h andaxe w as f ound i n 1 919. N o f urther d etails o f i ts d iscovery a re k nown. R oe ( 1981, 2 56) s tates t hat t here i s a " small c lassic b out c oupe h andaxe" f rom S t. C atherine's H ill n ow i n t he R ed H ouse M useum, C hristchurch, b ut t his b iface c ould n ot b e f ound i n 1 984. T here i s q uite a l ot o f A cheulian m aterial o f v arious a ges f rom t he h ill. L8 0mm , B 6 0mm , T 2 3mm. T he b iface i s r elatively s mall, b ut i t d oes h ave t he c haracteristic p lanform o f a b out c oupe h andaxe. I n p rofile i t i s s lightly p iano-convex a nd u ntwisted, w ith a c ontinuous s traight c utting-edge. T here a re s hallow s oft-hammer f lake s cars o n b oth f aces, a t ranchet s car o n t he t ip o f t he l ess f lat f ace, a nd n o a reas o f r esidual c ortex. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 56. ( 60) B ournemouth: S outhbourne, B roadway, D orset ( c. S Z 1 37921); F igure 3 .2(60) R ed H ouse M useum , C hristchurch ( BS14) T his b iface w as d iscovered i n 1 925 d uring d rainage d igging b etween W ildown R oad a nd t he n ext l ane t o t he s outh e ast. I t l ay a t a d epth o f 1 2-13ft o n s and a t t he b ase o f g ravel b elonging t o t he b luff d eposit b etween t he C hristchurch a nd M uscliff T erraces ( Calkin a nd G reen 1 949). A s econd h andaxe, w ith a s omewhat s imilar f laking t echnique b ut n ot o f a c lassic b out c oupe s hape, w as f ound s ix y ears l ater o nly 3 00 y ards a way, b ut l ying o n c lay b eneath t he b luff g ravel ( ibid, F ig. 1 4). C alkin a nd G reen d ate b oth i mplements t o a m ild p hase i n t he L ast G laciation. L 1 31mm, B 9 2mm, T 2 8mm. T he h andaxe i s a c lassic b out c oupe, v ery s imilar i n s ize, o utline-shape a nd t echnology t o a b iface r ecovered f rom C astle L ane, B ournemouth ( see b elow). U nfortunately, t he b utt o f t his h andaxe w as d amaged b y aw orkman's p ick w hen i t w as d iscovered, b ut t he d efinite " angles" c an s till b e c learly s een. T he i mplement h as b een i llustrated a nd d escribed i n d etail b y C alkin a nd G reen ( 1949). I t h as s ome f ine l arge f lake r emovals o n b oth f aces, a nd a t ranchet f inish t o t he t ip. I n p rofile i t i s r efined a nd s lightly p iano-convex, w ith a s traight c utting-edge. T he h andaxe i s i n a f resh c ondition, w ith a s lightly y ellow p atina o n b oth f aces. R eferences ( 1) C alkin a nd G reen 1 949, 3 1-36, F ig. 1 3 ( cf. F ig.14). ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 56, F ig. 6 :7.

8 4

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 59) C hristchurch

( 60) B ournemouth:

S outhbourne,

B roadway 8 5

( 61) B ournemouth: P okesdown, F isherman's W alk, D orset ( c. S Z 1 32907); F igure 3 .2(61) R ed H ouse M useum , C hristchurch T here a re n o p recise d etails o f t he d iscovery o r p rovenance o f t his h andaxe. O ver a h undred i mplements -a m ixture o f L ower P alaeolithic w ith j ust t hree L evallois a rtifacts - have b een c ollected f rom t he P okesdown a rea, a nd a re n ow s cattered i n v arious m useums. T he R ed H ouse M useum a lso h ouses t he t wo L evalloisian f lakes a nd a t ypical L evallois c ore f rom F isherman's W alk. L 1 26mm, B 8 6mm, T 2 5mm. T he h andaxe i s e xtremely r olled a nd s lightly d amaged, b ut i t s eems h ighly l ikely t hat i t w as o riginally a t ypical b out c oupe, a lthough t he e xtent o f t he d amage m akes t his d ifficult t o s tate f or c ertain. I t i s v ery f lat i n p rofile, a nd h as a s quared b utt a nd a r ounded t ip. T here i s a n o range s tain o n b oth f aces. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 56.

( 62) B ournemouth: B oscombe, D orset ( SZ 14914); F igure 3 .2(62) B righton M useum ( R35 3 2.99) T he h andaxe w as r ecovered i n 1 903, b ut t here a re n o f urther d etails o f i ts d iscovery o r e xact p rovenance. L 1 07mm, B 7 5mm, T 2 3mm. T he b iface i s o f c lassic s traight-butted c ordate o utline-shape, a lthough t he t ip h as b een s lightly d amaged. T here a re s ome f ine f lat s oft-hammer f lake r emovals o n b oth f aces, t wo s mall t ranchet s cars, o ne o n e ach f ace, a nd a s mall a rea o f r esidual c ortex. I n p rofile t he i mplement i s p iano-convex, w ith a s light t wist t o t he t ip; t he c utting-edge i s c ontinuous a nd s traight. T he h andaxe i s p atinated w hite a nd i s s lightly w orn. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 55. ( 63) B ournemouth: C astle L ane, D orset ( c. S Z 1 10945); F igure 3 .2(63) B ritish M useum ( 1940 7 -1 4 68) T he h andaxe w as f ound i n a p ile o f l oam a t an ew s ports c entre, A lder R oad, U pper P arkstone, i n N ovember 1 931. T he l oam w as a lmost c ertainly b rought t o t he s ite f rom a n e xposure o f h ill w ash c overing t he " Muscliff D elta" g ravels o f G reen's l ocal s equence ( Roe 1 981, 2 55), o n t he s outh s ide o f C astle L ane j ust b elow R edbreast. T he g ravels h ave b een a ttributed t o a m ild p hase w ithin t he D evensian G laciation ( Calkin a nd G reen 1 949). L 1 23mm, B 8 2mm , T 2 4mm. T his h andaxe h as r ightly b een d escribed a s " one o f t he m ost e legant a nd f inely m ade o f t he B ritish b out c oupe h andaxes" ( Roe 1 981, 2 55). I t h as a n a lmost f lat b utt a nd s ome v ery f ine s hallow f lake r emovals f rom b oth f aces. I n p rofile i t i s f lat a nd u ntwisted, a nd t he s traight c utting-edge r uns a ll a round t he p iece. T here a re t wo v ery s mall t ranchet s cars, o ne o n e ach f ace, a nd t he b ase h as a s mall c ortex p atch w hich c ould p robably n ot h ave b een r emoved w ithout d rastically r educing t he s ize o f t he i mplement. I t i s i n a v ery f resh c ondition, w ith a b lue-white p atina d eveloping o n b oth f aces a nd s light s igns o f w ear o n t he b utt. R eferences ( 1) C alkin a nd G reen 1 949, 3 1-6, F ig. 1 5. ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 55, F ig. 6 :7. ( 3) W oodcock 1 981, 3 63, F ig. 2 . ( 4) R oe 1 983, 1 8, F ig. 2 :d.

8 6

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 61) B ournemouth:

P okesdown

( 62) B ournemouth: B oscombe

( 63) B ournemouth:

C astle L ane

MI M I

8 7

( 64) B ournemouth: T albot W oods, D orset ( c. S Z 0 74938); F igure 3 .2(64) B ritish M useum ( 1940 7 -2 2 2) T his b iface w as f ound b y A .R. M angin. T here a re n o p recise d etails o f i ts p rovenance; a bout 7 0 h andaxes a re k nown f rom T albot W oods. LB roken , B9 3mm , T 2 8mm. T he h andaxe h as h ad i ts u pper t hird r emoved b y a r ecent m echanical f racture, b ut t he b utt c ertainly a ppears t o f it i nto t he b out c oupe c lass, w ith s ome g ood d elicate s oft-hammer f lake r emovals. I t i s m ade f rom a g rey f lint, p atinated a nd s lightly s tained. T he i mplement i s f lat i n p rofile, a nd i s u nrolled. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 56.

( 65) S herborne : T he C emetery, D orset ( ST 6 30160); F igure 3 .2(65) a fter A rkell 1 946 D orset C ounty M useum T his h andaxe h as b een r ecorded b y A rkell ( 1946, 3 1) a nd R oe ( 1981, 2 48), b ut w as m issing f rom t he m useum i n 1 984. A s t he i mplement w as t he p roperty o f t he l ate M r B ean, i t i s p ossible t hat i t m ight b e f ound i n t he B ean C ollection, w hich i n 1 984 w as n ot a vailable f or s tudy b ut w hich h as s ince b een r eturned t o t he m useum f ollowing t he d eath o f M r B ean . T he h andaxe w as f ound i n 1 928 b y t he c aretaker o f S herborne C emetery, l ying i n ap ile o f e xcavated m aterial w hich w as b eing u sed t o f ill i n ag rave i mmediately t o t he e ast o f t he D igby m ausoleum . I t a ppears t o h ave c ome f rom t he b ase o f t he 2 0 f t t errace o f t he R iver Y eo. F rom i ts i llustration, t he b iface w ould a ppear t o f it w ell i nto t he b out c oup ' ec lass ( Roe a ccepts i t a s s uch). R eferences ( 1) A rkell 1 946, 3 1. ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 46, F ig. 6 :7,5.

8 8

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 64) B ournemouth: T albot W oods

( 65) S herborne ( After A rkell 1 946)

8 9

E .4:

I mplements a pproaching t he b out c oups f orm

D ORSET : ( a) B ere R egis: G allows H ill T his i mplement w as r ecorded b y J .B . C alkin ( 1952, 1 02). F rom d escription i t w ould a ppear t o b elong t o t he b out c oup gc lass, b ut p resent w riter h as b een u nable t o t race t he h andaxe.

i ts t he

( b) B ournemouth: g eneral T he f ollowing t hree h andaxes a re i ncluded o n R oe's l ist o f b out c oupe h andaxes b ut d o n ot f it w ithin t he t erms o f t he d efinition u sed i n t his m onograph: 1 . E ast C ommon ( Liverpool M useum ; 4 4.27.205) 2 . E nsbury P ark ( Red H ouse M useum, C hristchurch) 3 . W inton: G reen R oad ( Red H ouse M useum , C hristchurch) ( c) C hristchurch: P urewell A h andaxe h oused i n t he R ed H ouse M useum, C hristchurch, i s d escribed b y R oe ( 1981, 2 56) a s a " good w ell m ade b out c oupe", b ut i s s lightly t oo t hick a nd d oes n ot h ave t he c orrect p lanform . ( d) D ewlish T his h andaxe ( Dorset C ounty M useum 4 D ewlish) h as t he a ccepted b out c oups o utline-shape, b ut d oes n ot h ave t he c orrect d egree o f r efinement, b eing s omewhat r oughly w orked. ( e) H engistbury H ead R oe m entions a " fine r ather s quat b out c oup gh andaxe" ( 1981, 2 56) t he R ed H ouse M useum , C hristchurch, b ut t he i mplement c ould n ot f ound w hen t he m useum w as v isited i n 1 984.

i n b e

( f) I ford: S heepwash T his i mplement ( Red H ouse M useum ; C .SW .7) i s m entioned a s a " probable b out c oup " b y R oe ( 1981) b ut i n t he o pinion o f t he w riter i t r esembles t his t ype i n o utline-shape o nly, b eing s lightly s mall a nd h aving n one o f t he n ecessary r efinement o f f laking t echnique o r p rofile. ( g) P oole: W est H owe R oe ( 1981, 2 56) m entions a " rather p oorly m ade b out c oup type h andaxe, s lightly a braded" i n D orset C ounty M useum. T his i mplement c ould n ot b e f ound w hen t he m useum w as v isited i n 1 984.

H AMPSHIRE : ( a) S outhampton: R edbridge A n a lmost r ectangular b iface m ade o f b lack f lint i s i n t he P itt R ivers M useum , O xford; i t i s n ot q uite r efined e nough t o b e a c lassic b out c oupe . ( b) S outhampton: R ockstone P lace T his i mplement i s i ncluded b y R oe o n h is l ist b ifaces, b ut i s h ere r egarded a s a b orderline

9 0

o f c lassic b out c oupg c ase. I t i s a f airly

n arrow a nd a symmetrical e longated h andaxe, w ithout c lear a ngles a t

t he

i ntersection o f t he b utt w ith t he e dges. ( c) S outhampton: S hirley W inchester C ity M useum ( Dale 4 66); a v ery b road a pproaches t he b out c oupe type i n o utline-shape.

h andaxe

w hich

( d) S outhampton: W arsash a rea S hackley ( 1977, 3 35) s tates t hat b out c oupe h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered f rom t he 7 .4m r aised b each a t W arsash. F rom i llustrations s upplied b y S hackley, i t w ould s eem t hat t hey w ould n ot b e c lassed a s b out c oupes f ollowing t he d efinition u sed i n t his m onograph.

R EGION F : A VON N o b out c oupe b ifaces h ave b een r ecovered f rom t his r egion, a nd n one f rom t his a rea w as r ecognised b y R oe ( 1981). I ndeed, i t c an b e s een f rom R oe's p ublished d istribution m ap o f L ower a nd M iddle P alaeolithic f ind-spots ( Roe 1 964, 2 60) t hat t his r egion i s a lmost e mpty o f f inds, a part f rom t he f ew B ristol L ower a nd M iddle P alaeolithic s ites, i ncluding C hapel P it F arm a t A bbots L eigh, w hich i s o f s ome i mportance. T here i s n o r eason w hy a t s ome f uture d ate b out c oupe h andaxes s hould n ot b e f ound h ere: R egion F h as b een m arked o n t he m ap i n c ase i t i s n eeded a nd t o a void a b lank a rea o r a g eographically i llogical a ppendage t o o ne o f t he o ther r egions.

R EGION G : T HE S OMERSET P LAIN A ND T HE S URROUNDING H ILLS T his n atural r egion i s b ounded t o t he n orth-west b y t he B ristol C hannel ( where a t t imes o f r educed s ea l evel a c onsiderable c oastal p lain c an b e e nvisaged), t o t he s outh-west b y t he B rendon a nd B lackdown H ills, t o t he n orth-east b y t he M endips, a nd t o t he s outh-east b y h igher g round w hich c ontains t he s ources o f t he r ivers B rue, P arret . a nd Y eo. T here i s l ittle g ood q uality f lint a vailable i n t he r egion, a nd a ll t hree b ifaces d escribed b elow a re m ade o f L ower G reensand c hert, w hich i n c ertain p arts o f S outh W est E ngland i s a bundantly a vailable. A ll t hree b ifaces a ppear w orn a nd a braded.

9 1

G .1: F inds o f b out c oupe h andaxes

( 66) P itminster, S omerset ( ST 2 21193); F igure 3 .2(66) S omerset C ounty M useum, T aunton ( 02.A.1) T his h andaxe w as g iven t o T aunton M useum i n 1 962 b y M r a nd M rs B radley. T here a re n o f urther d etails o f i ts d iscovery o r p rovenance. L 1 23mm, B 7 9mm, T 2 8mm. I t i s a r elatively l arge a nd f lat, w ell-made b ut v ery w orn b iface m ade f rom c hert. I t h as a g ood f lat-butted o utline-shape, a nd a r efined a nd u ntwisted p rofile w ith t he c utting-edge e xtending a ll a round t he c ircumference. T here a re s ome s hallow f lake s cars o n e ach f ace, a nd a s mall p atch o f c ortex o n o ne c orner o f t he b utt. T here h as b een s ome m echanical d amage t o t he t ip o f t he h andaxe, a nd t here i s a w hite p atina d eveloping o n o ne f ace. R eference R oe 1 981, 2 64.

( 67) C heddon F itzpaine: P riorswood L ane, S omerset ( ST 2 44263); F igure 3 .2(67) S omerset C ounty M useum, T aunton ( 50.A.120) T he h andaxe w as f ound b y M r A lan B ellamy i n 1 949, l ying b y t he s ide o f t he g ravelled S wing B ridge r oadway n ear t he T aunton-Bridgewater C anal ( Seaby 1 950, 1 68). A lthough t he s ource o f t he g ravel c ould n ot b e t raced, i t w as t hought t o h ave c ome f rom n ot f ar a way. L 1 20mm , B 8 5mm, T 2 5mm. Am edium-sized b out c oupe b iface m ade f rom G reensand c hert. T he i mplement h as b een b adly r olled, a nd h as a w hite p atina s tained o range i n p laces, w ith p atches o f e xfoliation o n e ach f ace. T here h as b een s ome m odern d amage t o t he t ip a nd t o t he e dge. I t h as t he t ypical o utline-shape, w ith c lear " corners" o n t he b utt, a nd a f lat p rofile w ith a c ontinuous s traight c utting-edge. T here a re n o p atches o f r esidual c ortex, a nd t here a re s ome f lat s oft-hammer f lake r emovals o n e ach f ace. R eferences ( 1) S eaby 1 950 , 1 68-9, F ig. 1 . ( 2) R oe 1 981, 2 64.

( 68) W est Q uantoxhead, S omerset ( ST 10425) F igure 3 .2(68) S omerset C ounty M useum , T aunton ( A2003) T he h andaxe w as f ound b y M r W .E . S urtees o n t he Q uantox H ills " on o pen g round c onsiderably a bove t he g rounds o f S t. A udries" ( written o n t he i mplement). T here a re n o f urther d etails o f i ts d iscovery o r p rovenance. L 1 06mm , B 7 5mm, T 2 5mm. Ac hert b out c oupe b iface i n a v ery a braded a nd w eathered c ondition w ith a l ight p atina s tained a m ottled o range/brown. I t i s f lat a nd f airly r efined i n p rofile, a nd h as a t ypical p lanform w ith t wo c lear " corners"; i t i s, h owever, s lightly a symmetrical, t hough t his c ould b e d ue t o t he n ature o f t he r aw m aterial u sed i n i ts m anufacture. T here a re s ome f lat f lake s cars o n e ach f ace, a nd t he c utting-edge e xtends a ll r ound t he h andaxe a nd i s s traight. R eferences ( 1) R oe 1 981, 2 46. ( 2) S eaby 1 950, 1 69.

9 2

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 66) P itminster

( 67) C heddon F itzpaine

( 68) W est Q uantoxhead

9 3

G .2:

I mplements a pproaching t he b out c oups f orm

( a) W estern-Super-Mare, S omerset A s ub-triangular h andaxe f rom U phill Q uarry C ave 8 ( British M useum P 1919 1 227.70) m entioned b y R oe ( 1981, 2 64) i s n either, i n t he o pinion o f t he p resent w riter, a b out c oupe n or a t rue s ub-triangular h andaxe a s t he F rench m ight u se t he t erm; i t i s a s mall, p resumably M ousterian, b iface m ade o f c hert. U phill Q uarry h as p roduced m ore t han 5 0 p alaeolithic i mplements, b oth M ousterian a nd U pper P alaeolithic. T his w as t he o nly c omplete b iface r ecovered f rom t he c ave.

( b) W ookey,

S omerset

H yaena D en ( ST 5 32479) T he H yaena D en w as d iscovered i n 1 852 a nd i nvestigated b y B oyd D awkins f rom 1 859-74 ( Dawkins 1 874); b y t he b eginning o f t he t wentieth c entury t he c ave d eposits h ad b een a lmost e ntirely r emoved ( Tratman e t a l. 1 971). D awkins f ound s tone t ools w ithin t he c ave, b ut t hese t ools a re n ow s cattered b etween v arious m useums a nd c ollections, a nd o nly a f ew h ave b een t raced b y D onovan a nd C ampbell ( listed b y T ratman e t a l. 1 971). O n t ypological g rounds t hey m ay b e d ivided i nto t wo d istinct c ategories: U pper P alaeolithic a nd M ousterian. E leven " bifaces a nd r elated f orms" f orm t he M ousterian g roup ( Tratman e t a l. 1 971). T he b ifaces a re s mall w ith i rregular o utlines, a nd a re s omewhat r oughly m ade. R oe ( 1981, 2 43) h as s uggested t hat o ne o f t hese b ifaces ( Manchester M useum 1 724; T ratman e t a l. 1 971, F igure 4 3.2) s hould b e r egarded a s a t ypical b out c oupe h andaxe. I t i s a s mall c ordate w ith s everal s tep f ractures, p atinated g rey b ut a greeing w ith t he o ther u npatinated M ousterian a rtifacts f rom t his s ite o n t ypological g rounds. T he p resent w riter f eels t hat t his h andaxe d oes n ot h ave t he r equired s ize, r efinement, s hape o r d elicate f lake r emovals t o b e c onsidered a b out c oupe, a nd, a lthough i ts o utline-shape i s c ertainly r eminiscent o f t he f orm , i t a ppears t o b elong t o t he m ore g eneral c ordate c lass ( "cordates" a re u sually i dentified b y t heir o utline-shape o nly). T he o ther h andaxes a re a m ixture o f t ypical s mall M ousterian c ordates a nd o vates. R hinoceros H ole ( ST 5 32479) A s mall h andaxe d escribed b y R oe a s " a t iny b ut c lassic b out c oupe ' h andaxe" ( 1981, 2 43) h as c ome f rom t he R hinoceros H ole c ave. A gain, i n t he o pinion o f t he p resent w riter t his c annot b e c onsidered t o b e t rue b out c oupe.

9 4

R EGION H :

S OUTH W EST E NGLAND

G eographically t his r egion i ncludes t he n arrow s outhwestern p eninsula o f D evon a nd C ornwall. T he l ocal r ocks d o n ot i nclude a ny w hich a re f lint-bearing a nd t he t errain i s o ften s omewhat r ugged, a lthough w e h ave t o i magine a s omewhat d ifferent s ituation, w ith e xposed c oastal p lains, d uring c old P leistocene p eriods. T he w armth o f t he G ulf S tream i s a v ery i mportant i nfluence o n c limate a nd v egetation i n t his r egion; a s f ar a s t he w riter i s a ware t here i s n o r eadily a vailable s tudy o f t he r ole ( if a ny) o f t he G ulf S tream d uring t he P leistocene. A gain, t his r egion h as p roduced f ew L ower o r M iddle P alaeolithic f inds, a nd i t m ust b e a ssumed t hat i t w as r egarded a s a s omewhat m arginal a rea o f B ritain a lthough i t d oes h ave s ome c aves s uitable f or o ccupation.

.1: F inds o f b out c oupe h andaxes 1 ( 69-72) K ent's C avern, T orquay, D evon ( SX 9 35642) K ent's C avern i s s ituated o n t he s outh D evon c oast, o n a s mall p eninsula f orming t he n orthern s ide o f T or B ay. T he c avern h as b een e xcavated a t l east 1 5 t imes b y a v ariety o f w orkers; t his h as c aused a g reat d eal o f d amage, a nd m uch c onfusion o ver t he s tratigraphy a nd t he i mportance o f t he f inds. R ecently, C ampbell a nd S ampson ( 1971) h ave p ublished a r e-assessment o f t he s ite, a nd S hackley ( 1975, 5 9-61) h as i ncluded a d iscussion o f t he r ecovered m aterial i n h er d octoral t hesis. T he c avern i s a s eries o f l arge s olution c avities l inked f issures, a nd c onnected t o a l ower n etwork o f g alleries b y a s hafts. T he o bservable s ections s eem t o h ave v aried f rom r egion ( Campbell a nd S ampson 1 971, 7 -9), b ut t he p rincipal c an b e s ummed u p a s f ollows ( after R oe 1 981, 9 7):

b y n arrow f ew s teep r egion t o c omponents

B lack M ould G ranular S talagmite U pper C ave E arth L ower C ave E arth ( loamy) D eposits b elow t he C ave E arth v aried c onsiderably T he " Black M ould" a nd t he " Granular S talagmite" y ielded M esolithic a nd l ater a rtifacts; b oth t hese l ayers a re d ated t o t he H olocene. T he " Cave E arth" i s a ll d ated t o t he U pper P leistocene, a nd h as p roduced b oth U pper P alaeolithic m aterial, a nd c haracteristic M ousterian c ordiform h andaxes a nd M iddle P alaeolithic f lake-tools. L ower P alaeolithic ( Early A cheulian) a rtifacts w ere r ecovered f rom t he B reccia b elow t he C ave E arth. T he M iddle P alaeolithic m aterial c ame f rom d eep w ithin t he L oamy C ave E arth, w here P engelly i n h is e xcavation j ournals ( now a t T orquay M useum) r ecorded t he d iscovery o f a bout 1 000 a rtifacts ( both M iddle a nd U pper P alaeolithic); C ampbell h as, h owever, o nly b een a ble t o t race a bout 3 3 M ousterian p ieces d efinitely e xcavated b y P engelly f rom t his l ayer. A f urther 1 2 " Mousterian i mplements" e xcavated m uch l ater b y O gilvie f rom t he s ame l ayer a re a lso k nown. T he c ollection i ncludes f ive s ub-cordiform b ifaces i dentified b y R oe ( 1981, 2 55) a s b out c oupe h andaxes , o ther c ordiform, s ub-cordiform a nd o void h andaxes, s even s idescrapers a nd 1 4 r etouched i mplements. T he f auna f rom t his l evel a ppear t o b e o f D evensian d ate, w ith m ammoth, r eindeer, b ear a nd w oolly

9 5

r hinoceros. U nfortunately t he t ime-span r epresented b y t he n ot k nown.

d eposit

i s

T he p resent w riter h as i ncluded f our h andaxes i n h er c atalogue o f b out c oup b ifaces, a lthough i t i s p ossible t hat t here a re a t l east a nother t wo f rom t he c ave. ( 69) F igure 3 .2(69) T orquay N at. H ist. S oc. M useum ( 3666ce3) " Sloping c hamber" i s w ritten o n t he h andaxe. L 1 06mm , B 8 2mm, T 2 5mm. T he h andaxe i s m ade f rom a v ery c herty f lint, a nd h as a s lightly a typical o utline-shape w ith l ess p ronounced a ngles a t t he i ntersection o f t he b utt w ith t he s ides. H owever, t he r efinement, s ize a nd f laking o f t he p iece c ombined t o c onvince t he w riter t hat i t w as c orrect ( cautiously) t o i nclude t he h andaxe i n t he b out c oupe c atalogue. T here a re b oth d eep a nd s hallow f lake r emovals o n e ach f ace, a nd t he s traight c utting-edge r uns a ll r ound t he c ircumference. I n p rofile t he h andaxe i s u ntwisted a nd b iconvex. ( 70) F igure 3 .2(70) T orquay N at. H ist. S oc. M useum ( 17ce3) " Great c hamber" L 1 09mm , B 7 9mm , T 2 7mm . T his h andaxe h as a m ore t ypical b out c oup eo utline-shape, a nd i s r elatively r efined i n p rofile w ith a c ontinuous s traight c utting-edge. T here a re s ome d eep f lake r emovals o n b oth f aces; a gain t his c ould b e d ue t o t he n ature o f t he r aw m aterial u sed i n m anufacture. T he i mplement i s s lightly w orn a nd a braded. ( 71) F igure 3 .2(71) B ritish M useum ( Natural H istory) " Found J an 1 866 i n r ed c ave e arth 4 ft b elow s talagmite" ( Evans 1 897, 4 97; F igure 3 86). A f airly w ell-made f lat-butted h andaxe s omewhat s imilar i n p lanform t o 7 0 , m ade f rom a c herty g rey f lint. I n p rofile i t i s s omewhat p lano-convex a nd h as a s traight c utting-edge. B oth f aces h ave s ome d elicate s oft-hammer f lake r emovals. T he h andaxe i s s lightly w orn. ( 72) F igure 3 .2(72) B ritish M useum ( Natural H istory) T his i s a s maller h andaxe, s imilar i n c ondition a nd p lanform t o t he h andaxes d escribed a bove, b ut s lightly l ess r efined, w ith a s omewhat i rregular b iconvex p rofile. T here a re s ome s hallow f lake r emovals o n e ach f ace, a nd t he c utting-edge e xtends a ll r ound t he h andaxe.

R oe m entions a f urther " bout c oup " ( or p ossibly t wo) s een b y h im i n t he 1 960 's i n t he G eological M useum , S outh K ensington, b ut n o m aterial c ould b e t raced t here i n 1 983; i t s eems l ikely t hat a ny s uch i tems h ave b een t ransferred t o a nother m useum , b ut t he G eological M useum c ould f ind n o r ecord o f e ver h aving o wned e ither b iface. M acEnery ( 1859, F igures 1 1 a nd 1 2) h as i llustrated t he i mplements m entioned b y R oe. R eferences ( 1) M acEnery 1 859, F ig. 1,12. ( 2) E vans 1 897, 4 88-512. ( 3) R oe 1 981, 2 42, F ig. 6 :4 , 2 25.

9 6

F igure 3 .2 C ont. ( 69-72) K ent's C avern

( 69)

( 70)

( 71)

( 72) 9 7

H .2:

I mplements a pproaching t he b out c oups f orm

B rixham: W indmill C ave, D evon Ac hert b iface i n T orquay N atural H istory M useum , w hich i s w ithout a ny p recise s tratigraphic d etails, h as b een d escribed a s " a f ine b out c oupe h andaxe" b y R oe ( 1981, 2 43). T he p resent w riter h as e xamined t his h andaxe a nd f eels t hat a lthough i t d oes h ave t wo f airly c lear " angles" a t t he b ase i t i s t oo a symmetrical a nd l op-sided t o b e c onsidered a c lassic b out c oupe, e ven a llowing f or t he e ffects o f t he l ocal r aw m aterial. T he i mplements f rom K ent's C avern, d escribed a bove, s how t hat t he l ocal s tone d oes a llow a c ertain d egree o f r efinement. I n p rofile t his b iface i s s omewhat t hick ( 32mm), a nd m arkedly p lano-convex. I t h as b een s omewhat r oughly f laked, a nd i s n ow v ery w orn w ith a w hite p atina.

R EGION I : W ALES R elatively l ittle i nformation i s a vailable a bout t he s mall a mount o f L ower a nd M iddle P alaeolithic m aterial r ecovered f rom W ales. W ith t he e xception o f t he P ontnewydd C ave, o nly f ive b ifaces h ave b een r ecovered; t hree f rom t he C oygan C ave, o ne f rom R hossili, G ower ( Green 1 981), a nd o ne f rom P en-y-Lan, C ardiff ( Lacaille 1 954). T he P ontnewydd, P en-y-Lan a nd R hossili h andaxes a ll a ppear, o n t ypological g rounds, t o b e L ower P alaeolithic. I t i s c lear t hat f or c limatic r easons W ales w ould h ave b een a s omewhat m arginal a rea i n t erms o f h abitation ( outside t he n orth-western l imit o f i n s itu f lint i n B ritain; G reen 1 984, 1), p articularly d uring g lacial m axima. S o f ar a s t he D evensian i s c oncerned, i t i s d oubtful w hether g lacial i ce c overed W ales f or m ore t han a s mall p art o f t he t ime i nvolved ( see f or e xample G reen 1 984, v ii), m ost p robably d uring t he i ntensely c old U pper P leniglacial. T he g eography o f W ales a s a s ingle r egion i s t oo l arge a s ubject t o b e s ummarised h ere. I n f act, t he p resent s tate o f t he e vidence m eans t hat w e a re o nly c oncerned w ith t he e xtreme s outh o f t he c ountry w hich, i rrespective o f g eographical d etail, f orms t he n orth s hore ( and h interland) o f t he p resent B ristol C hannel. T here a re n o f lint-bearing r ocks, b ut t he p resence o f c aves i n s ome p laces a nd s outhward t rending r iver v alleys m ust h ave o ffered s ome i nducements t o P alaeolithic o ccupation w hen c limatic c onditions m ade i t p ossible..

9 8

I .1: F inds o f b out c oupe h andaxes ( 73,74) L augharne: C oygan C ave, D yfed ( SN 2 84092) N ational M useum o f W ales, C ardiff; C armarthen M useum T he C oygan C ave i s s ituated a bout 2 m iles t o t he s outh o f L augharne a t a bout 2 00ft O .D . o n t he n orth-west s hore o f C armarthen B ay. T he s ite h as b een f ormally i nvestigated f ive t imes s ince i ts d iscovery i n 1 867; b y H icks ( 1866), L aws ( 1888), E ccles ( 1913), G rimes a nd C owley ( 1933) a nd M cBurney a nd C legg ( 1963). G rimes a nd C owley ( 1935) h ave g iven a b rief a ccount o f t heir w ork, a nd C legg h as p ublished a d etailed a ccount o f t he l ater w ork a t t he c ave ( 1965). U nfortunately t he c ave w as a lways e xcavated b y t he " spit" m ethod, w ith n o c ontinuous h orizontal e xcavation. T his m akes i t v ery d ifficult t o c onnect t ogether t he v arious r ecorded s ections, a nd a s t he c ave d eposits h ave n ow b een e ntirely c leared o ut, t here i s n o c hance o f f urther a rchaeological w ork a t t he s ite. G rimes a nd C owley ( 1935, 1 01) g ive t he f ollowing s ection f or t he c entral c ave a rea: L ayer L ayer L ayer L ayer

5 4 3 2

T op s talagmite 3 -3.5ft o f c ave e arth c ontaining s tones a nd b ones T hin l ayer o f s talagmite S tony c lay u p t o 2 ft t hick; b ones f ound i n t his l ayer e specially t owards t he t op L ayer 1 C lean y ellow s and l ying o n r ock f loor

T his t ies i n w ith t he s ections r ecorded f rom e arlier e xcavations. T he b ones r ecovered f rom t he m ain b one l ayer a nd t he d isturbed c ave e arth a bove i t s uggest c old c limatic c onditions: " the f auna o f b oth l ayers i s t ypically t he f auna w hich c ame i n w ith t he c old c onditions o f t he l ate M ousterian ! ' ( ibid, 1 5). E ccles f ound s ix i mplements i n h is 1 913 e xcavations; t wo f lint s crapers a nd a f lint b lade w hich c ame f rom d isturbed s oil, a nd t wo c hert f lakes a nd o ne c hert h andaxe f ound i n s itu n ot f ar a bove t he " clean y ellow s and". O n t ypological g rounds t he c hert a rtifacts a re a cceptable a s M ousterian, a nd a re r egarded a s s uch b y R oe ( 1981, 2 46). I n 1 963, t wo f urther b ifaces, d escribed b y R oe ( ibid) a s " fine b out c oup h andaxes", w ere f ound, l ying o nly o ne i nch a part; t he f auna f rom t his l ayer i ncludes R hinoceros, E quus c aballus, E lephas p rimigenius, H yaena c rocuta a nd C ervus e laphus. N o o ther f inds h ave b een r ecorded f rom t he c ave. S everal r adiocarbon d ates h ave b een o btained f rom b ones r ecovered f rom t he c ave, t he m ost a cceptable b eing a d ate o f 3 8,684 B P ( BM .499; R adiocarbon 1 8 , 1 976, 2 0) t aken f rom c ollagen s eparated f rom a r eindeer a ntler a ssociated w ith t he M ousterian a rtifacts. M ore r ecently, u npublished U ranium-series d ates o n s talagmite s uggest t hat t he a ssociated f inds a re n ot o lder t hat t he e arlier D evensian. G reen ( 1985, p ers. c omm.) f eels t hat i t i s h ighly l ikely t hat t hey a re y ounger t han 7 5,000 B P a nd p robably y ounger t han 5 0,000 , a nd t here t herefore s eems t o b e n o r eason t o d oubt t hat t he r adiocarbon d ate f or t he s ame l ayer i s a t l east b roadly c orrect. T he e vidence o f a n a pparently m id-Devensian f auna i s i n a greement. T his d ating f or t he h andaxes i s o f a n u nusual l ateness b y B ritish s tandards.

9 9

A ll t hree b ifaces r ecovered f rom t he c ave w ere m ade f rom a c hert-like m aterial w hich h as n ot b een p recisely i dentified. O ne o f t he b ifaces h as b een d escribed a nd i llustrated b y G rimes a nd C owley ( 1935, 1 09 a nd F ig. 6 ), w ho r egarded i t a s a " small c ordiform o r h eart s haped p oint o f c reamy g rey c hert". T his i mplement i s n ow i n C armarthen M useum , a nd t here i s a c ast o f i t i n t he N ational M useum o f W ales, C ardiff. I t d oes n ot h ave a f lat-butted b out c oupe f orm. T he o ther t wo h andaxes c ertainly a ppear t o b elong t o t he b out c oupe c lass, a lthough t here i s r ather a s urprising d ifference i n s ize b etween t he t wo, w hich c ould p erhaps b e t he r esult o f a r estricted l ocal s upply o f r aw m aterial, b ut w hich c ould h ave f unctional i mplications. T he u nusual n ature o f t he m aterial c ould a lso a ccount f or t he f act t hat t he i mplements a re p erhaps s lightly l ess r efined t han o ne w ould e xpect o f a b out c oupe ( see t he c omments o n t he h andaxes f rom R egion G a nd R egion H ). T he h andaxes w ere f ound c lose t ogether, t he s maller h andaxe l ying a m ere o ne i nch l ower i n t he d eposit ( Clegg 1 964, 1 7), a nd p resumably t hey s hare t he s ame ? mid-Devensian d ate. ( 73) F igure 3 .2(73) N ational M useum o f W ales, C ardiff ( 64.104A C oy63) L 1 54mm , B 9 6mm , T 2 9mm. T he h andaxe i s o f c lassic b out c oups s hape w ith t wo d efinite " angles" a t t he b ase a nd a f lat a nd u ntwisted p rofile w ith a s traight c utting-edge. T he f lake s cars a re s lightly d eeper t han i s u sual f or t his b iface-type ( perhaps d ue t o t he r aw m aterial u sed?) a nd t here a re n o t ranchet s cars o n t he t ip. ( 74) F igure 3 .2(74) N ational M useum o f W ales, C ardiff ( 64.104B C oy64) L 6 9mm, B 5 0mm , T 1 8mm. T his h andaxe i s a gain a t ypically f ormed f lat-butted b out c oupe, b ut i t i s a g reat d eal s maller t han t he i mplement d escribed a bove. T he t wo h andaxes h ave s imilar p lanforms a nd p rofiles, a nd a gain t he f lake r emovals a re d eeper t han i s u sual. T here i s a s light t wist t o t he p rofile. R eferences ( 1) ( 2) ( 3) ( 4)

1 .2:

G rimes a nd C owley 1 935, 9 5-111. C legg 1 965, 1 7. L aing a nd L aing 1 980, 5 8, P l. 1 6a,b. R oe 1 981, 2 57.

I mplements a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm

N o i mplements a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm h ave b een r ecovered W ales.

1 00

f rom

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 73) C oygan C ave

( 74) C oygan C ave

1 01

R EGION J : M ORE N ORTHERN F INDS

A s a r egion, t his i s s omewhat d iffuse, b eing m ainly i ntended t o c atch t he l ast f ew f ind-spots a s t he e ntire P alaeolithic d istribution r eaches i ts n ortherly l imit -find-spots w hich d o n ot, h owever, b elong t o t he m ore o bvious r egions a lready d efined. S earchers f or u nity m ust r ely o n t he p resence o f t he P ennine " backbone o f E ngland" w hich, i n p laces, o ffers c aves, p lus t he u pper v alleys o f t he r ivers w hich h ave t heir s ources t here, w hether e ast-or w est-flowing. S ome c halk w ith g ood q uality f lint o ccurs n otably i n t he L incolnshire a nd Y orkshire W olds. J .1: F inds o f b out c oupe h andaxes N o t rue b out c oups h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered f rom t his r egion.

J .2:

I mplements a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm

L EICESTERSHIRE : A ylestone Ah andaxe w as f ound i n 1 984 b y M r G . Y ork o n t he n orth s ide o f G lenhills B oulevard d uring t he f inal s tages o f t he c onstruction o f t he S outhern D istrict D istributor R oad. I t w as r ecovered l ying o n a p ile o f s tones b etween t wo t rees i n a n ewly-planted r ow , a nd s eems t o h ave b een d ug u p d uring t he t ree p lanting. T he f ind-spot l ies o n t he e dge o f t he p lateau e ast o f t he R iver S oar, 7 5ft a bove t he f loodplain. T he b iface i s n ow h oused i n J ewry W all M useum , L eicester ( A14.1984) I t i s a r elatively s mall f lat-butted b iface, b ut c annot b e c onsidered a n e ntirely t ypical b out c oupe ( Cookson a nd T yldesley 1 984).

L INCOLNSHIRE : ( a) H arlaxton G rantham M useum ( D/N3377) T his h andaxe h as b een s plit a nd s everely d amaged b y f rost, a nd s o i t c annot b e p ositively i dentified a s a b out c oupe. H owever, i t d oes s how f ine w orkmanship, a nd i s b elieved b y R oe t o b e a f ragment o f a c lassic b out c oupe type ( 1981, 2 61). ( b) R isby W arren A nother L incolnshire b iface h as b een d iscussed b y L acaille ( 1946), D udley ( 1949) a nd M ay ( 1976), a nd h as b een i ncluded b y R oe i n h is l ist o f t ypical b out c oupe i mplements. H owever, i t i s s omewhat e longated, a nd i s l ess r efined t han i s u sual, l acking t he t wo d istinct a ngles a t t he i ntersection o f t he e dges w ith t he b ase.

1 02

K : U NPROVENANCED ( 75) F igure 3 .2(75) M useum o f L ondon ( 0 .198) T here i s a b rown l oam a dhering t o t his h andaxe. I t i s b elieved t o b e a B ritish b iface. L9 6mm , B7 5mm , T 2 4mm . Ab out c oupe b iface m ade o f av ery s harp b lack f lint w ith s ome f ine f lat s hallow s oft-hammer f lake r emovals. E ach f ace h as, h owever , a n a rea o f c ortex w hich w ould p robably h ave b een d ifficult t o r emove w ithout r educing t he s ize o f t he h andaxe. I t h as t he r equired f lat-butted p lanform , a nd a f lat u ntwisted p rofile. T he c utting-edge e xtends a ll r ound t he p iece, a nd i s s traight. T here i s a s econd u nprovenanced h andaxe i n t he M useum o f L ondon ( 0 .195) w hich i s s ub-triangular i n s hape, c losely a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm , a lthough i t i s s omewhat t hick i n s ection , a nd n ot e specially r efined.

F igure 3 .2 C ont.

( 75) U nprovenanced

1 03

C HAPTER 4 T HE B OUT C OUPE B IFACE I N B RITAIN

4 .1 A C ONSIDERATION O F T HE B OUT C OUPE M ORPHOLOGICAL G ROUP T he b ifaces l isted i n C hapter 3 w ere i nitially g rouped t ogether o n t he b asis o f t heir m orphology: o utline-shape ( flat- or s traight-butted c ordate), r efinement a nd f laking c haracteristics. A r ather g eneralised n on-metrical d efinition d erived p rincipally f rom t he w ork o f R oe ( 1981, 2 54-67) w as u sed i n t his i nitial g rouping: Af ully b ifacial a nd w ell-made s ymmetrical h andaxe w ith a r efined c ross-section, a nd a s traight o r s lightly c onvex b utt-edge s howing a m arked d iscontinuity o f c urvature a t i ts i ntersection w ith e ach s ide. T he t ip i s s lightly r ounded, a nd t he s ides a re c onvex. A fter t he c ompilation o f t he c atalogue i t s eemed c lear t o t he p resent w riter t hat t hese h andaxes d o f orm a d istinctive m orphological t ype w hich c annot b e s atisfactorily c lassified u nder t he B ordes s ystem, b ut w hich u nder W ymer's ( 1968) s cheme w ould b e i ncluded u nder t he m ore g eneral h eading " flat-butted c ordate": T his i s a nother r are a nd e legant t ype o f h andaxe, u sually v ery t hin a nd s ometimes w ith o ne f lat f ace ( plano-convex s ection). T wisted e dges d o n ot s eem t o o ccur; t ranchet s harpening b lows w ere o ccasionally u sed. S ome o f t he h andaxes i n t he b out c oupe c atalogue d o h ave s lightly t wisted p rofiles b ut t his i s l ikely t o b e i nadvertent: o nly o ne h andaxe h as w hat a ppears t o b e a d eliberate t wist ( 5). T he h andaxes w ere t herefore s ubjected t o a m ore w ith t hree m ajor a ims:

d etailed

1 . T o c onfirm t he d istinguishing f eatures o f t herefore t o d etermine w hether t he t ype c losely d efined

e xamination,

t he t ype, a nd c ould b e m ore

2 . T o e stablish t he a ccepted r ange o f v ariation w ithin t he b out c oupe t ype 3 . T o d etermine w hether t here m orphological v ariability

i s

a ny

g rouping

i n

t he

O f t he 7 5 b out c oupe b ifaces l isted i n C hapter 3 , 1 5 ( catalogue n umbers 4 , 1 4, 1 7, 2 3, 3 5, 3 7, 3 8, 4 5, 5 6-8, 6 4, 6 5, 7 1, 7 2) w ere e xcluded f rom t he m etrical a nalysis, e ither b ecause t hey w ere d amaged o r b ecause t hey w ere n ot a vailable f or d etailed e xamination. A lthough m easurements a nd

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d rawings w ere a vailable f or s ome o f t hese h andaxes i t w as f elt t o r ely u pon t he i nterpretations o f o ther w orkers. T his l eft a o f 6 0 b ifaces f or f urther c onsideration.

( A) S ize ( Tables 3 ,

u nwise s ample

4 , 5 a)

T he h andaxes w ere a ll m easured a s s hown i n T able 3 ; T able 4 r ecords t he p rincipal m easurements o btained, a nd T able 5 i llustrates t he v ariation i n s ize a nd r efinement. W eight w as n ot u sed a s a p rincipal m easurement i n t he c omparison o f s ize a s n ot a ll t he i mplements a re m ade f rom t he s ame r aw m aterial. I t i s a pparent ( Table 5 a) t hat t here i s a r elatively h igh d egree o f s tandardisation i n s ize, w ith t he h andaxes a ll f alling w ithin a f airly r estricted s ize-range i ndicated b y m aximum l ength. T he m ean l ength c alculated w as 15mm m easured b etween 1 01mm a nd 1 30mm .

( +/- 21);

6 7%

o f

t he

b ifaces

T he s mallest h andaxe ( 74) m easured 6 9mm , w ith o nly f our f urther b ifaces ( 39 , 7 0mm ; 5 9, 8 0mm ; 4 4, 8 3mm ; 3 0 , 8 4mm) m easuring l ess t han 9 0mm . T he l ongest b iface ( 32) w as 1 95mm l ong ; w as l onger t han 1 60mm ( 12, 1 62mm).

i ndeed o nly o ne

o ther

h andaxe

T he t wo n on-flint b ifaces f rom t he C oygan C ave ( 73, 7 4), r ecovered o nly o ne i nch a part i n t he s ame d eposit, s how a n i nteresting d ifference i n s ize ( 73 , 1 54mm ; 7 4, 6 9mm) p erhaps d ue t o ar estricted l ocal s upply o f r aw m aterial; i n o utline-shape a nd p rofile t hey a re v ery s imilar. T he s ize o f a b iface i s d ependent u pon a v ariety o f f actors, i ncluding t he a vailability a nd q uality o f t he r aw m aterial, t he s kill a nd i ntention o f t he w orker, a nd f unctional o r o ther r equirements. O ne m ight t herefore r easonably e xpect a c ertain a mount o f v ariation w ithin am orphological g roup. H owever, t he m easurements q uoted a bove s uggest t hat o ne m ight e xpect a t ypical b out c oupe h andaxe t o f all w ithin t he s ize r ange 9 0-150mm ( maximum l ength), w ith i mplements r arely b eing e ither l ess t han 9 0mm o r g reater t han 1 50mm i n l ength.

( B) S hape ( Tables 3 , 6 ,

7 )

I t w as d ecided t hat t he r ange o f o utline-shapes w ithin t he b out c oupg c lass c ould b est b e i llustrated b y p lotting t he p lanforms o n a " Roe-type" t ripartite s hape-diagram ( Roe 1 964 ; 1 968). T his m ethod d epends u pon t he c alculation o f t hree s imple r atios t o d efine s hape: B /L : A n i ndication o f t he g eneral r ange b roadness:narrowness B 1/B2: A n i ndication o f t he g eneral r ange p ointedness:bluntness L 1/L : A n i ndication o f t he p osition o f t he p oint o f m aximum b readth B , L , B1 , B2 a nd L1 a re f ully d efined i n T able 3 .

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W hen p lotted o n t he d iagram ( Table 6 ) t he 6 0 h andaxes c lustered i n t he u pper r ight-hand s ection o f t he " more p ointed" ( low L l/L r atio) d ivision ( mean L l/L 1 9.7 + /-3.8), a nd t here w ere n o h andaxes w ith e ither a h igh o r m edium p osition o f m aximum b readth. T his i s n ot s urprising, a s t he t ypical " loaf-shaped" p lanform h ad f ormed a m ajor f actor i n t he i nitial s election o f t he b out c oups i mplements, a nd i t m erely s erves t o c onfirm f ormally w hat h as a lready b een o bserved. T he h andaxes a re b y n o m eans i dentical i n o utline-shape, b ut t here a re a pparently n o m ajor s ub-groups p resent w ithin t he s ample. T here i s a n o bvious g rouping r ound t he m ean B 1/B2 ( 66.7 + /-5.6) a nd B /L ( 70.7 + /4 .3) p ositions, t he B /L v alues b eing s lightly m ore r estricted t han t he B 1/B2 r atios. B oth t hese r atios h ave a n ormal d istribution. A lthough n o d istinct g roupings a re o bservable, s everal p ieces l ie o n t he f ringe o f t he m ain c luster, h aving e ither a r elatively h igh B 1/B2 v alue i ndicative o f a m ore b lunt t ip ( 30 , 6 9), a f airly h igh B 1/B2 c ombined w ith a h igh B /L , i ndicating a b roader b lunt b iface ( 8, 3 4), o r a l ow B 1/B2, i ndicating a s lightly m ore p ointed i mplement ( 13). T hese h andaxes d o, h owever, a ll s hare t he t ypical b out c oup gs econdary c haracteristics o f r efinement a nd a h igh s tandard o f f laking. T hree o f t he h andaxes l ying o n t he e dge o f t he d istribution a re m ade o f c hert, a nd a re l ess r efined t han t he f lint h andaxes; t he d ifference i n r aw m aterials m ay w ell a ccount f or t his d ifference i n p lanform-shape a nd w orking t echnique. T he r emaining c hert b ifaces f it w ell w ithin t he g eneral s hape d istribution. T o h elp d etermine w hether t he s ample c ould b e c onsidered t o b e o ne b roadly s imilar c lass, o r w hether i t w as i n f act m ade u p o f t wo o r m ore i mportant s ub-groups, a K -Means c luster a nalysis w as u sed t o c onsider s ize, p lanform-shape a nd r efinement. T he a nalysis a cts b y s plitting u p o ne i nitial c luster o r g roup i nto a g iven n umber ( K) o f c lusters, g iving a r esult w hich a pproximates t o t he " best" d ivision i nto t he s pecified n umber o f c lusters; i t i s p robably t he m ost a ccurate m ethod t o u se o n t his t ype o f a nalysis ( Orton 1 980, 5 2, q uoting o ther r eferences), a lthough t he s mall s ample-size c reates c ertain p roblems. N o s eparate s ub-groups w ere r evealed a nd, o n t he a dvice o f t he O xford U niversity C omputing C entre s taff, i t w as c oncluded t hat t he s ample s hould b e r egarded a s o ne m ain c luster o r c lass, w ith n o c learly d efined s ub-divisions. T his c onclusion i n f act c onfirmed t he i mpression a lready g ained b y e xamining t he p ieces " by e ye". T he t wenty " most t ypical" ( values o f B /L , B 1/B2, L l/L l ying c losest t o t he m ean) a nd l east b roken h andaxes w ere n ormalised ( made o f t he s ame s urface a rea) u sing a n A pple m icrocomputer, a nd w ere c ombined t o g ive a h ypothetical " typical" b out c oup g o utline-shape ( Table 7 ). T he r esultant s hape i s o ne w hich d oes n ot s eem t o o ccur i n B ritish A cheulian a ssemblages, b ut w hich h as b een f ound w ith M ousterian m aterial ( e.g. a t P an F arm , S hide).

( C) R efinement/thickness ( Table 5 h) T he g eneral t hickness o r r efinement ( in a m etrical s ense) o f a h andaxe c an b e s een b y a c onsideration o f t he r atio T :B p lotted a s a f requency d iagram. T able 5 b s hows t he p lotted r atios T /B a nd T i/B. T hese b oth s how a f airly h igh d egree o f s tandardisation a nd h ave a n ormal

1 07

d istribution a bout t he m ean: M ean T /B x 1 00 3 1.4 + /-4.1 M ean T1/ B x 1 00 1 9.8 + /-3.4 T he v alues o btained a re f airly l ow w hen c ompared w ith R oe's 3 8 s tudied h andaxe g roups w hich h ave a m ean T /B r anging b etween 4 1 f or O ldbury a nd 6 9 f or F ordwich ( Roe 1 968, 2 7-8) a nd r eflect t he r efinement o f t he p ieces. T he u se o f a s oft-hammer, a lmost a lways e mployed i n t he m anufacture o f a b out c oup6, t ends t o e ncourage a f latter p rofile. O f t he 6 0 h andaxes e xamined i n d etail, 1 7 ( 28%) h ad a s lightly p lano-convex p rofile, a lthough n one c ould b e c onsidered m arkedly p lano-convex u sing t he d efinition g iven b y C ranshaw ( 1983, 9 1). T he s lightly p iano-convex i mplements w ere a ll a pparently m ade o n f lakes, a nd a lthough t hey a re f ully b ifacial t his c ould p erhaps h ave i nfluenced t he p rofile-shape. N one o f t hese h andaxes a ppears d ifferent i n a ny o ther r espect t o t he r emaining h andaxes, a nd n o f urther m easurement o f p iano-convexity w as u ndertaken.

( D) A ppearance a nd t echnology ( a) R aw m aterial: T he m ajority ( 88%) o f t he 7 5 b out c oup gb ifaces a re m ade o f g ood q uality f lint, w ith o nly n ine ( 12%) m ade f rom c hert o r a c herty m aterial. T hese n ine b ifaces c ome f rom S omerset ( 66-68), f rom D evon ( 69-72) a nd f rom W ales ( 73, 7 4); m ore m arginal a reas w here t here w ould p resumably h ave b een l ittle s uitable l ocally a vailable f lint. A s e xperimental k napping s hows, c hert i s g enerally s lightly h arder t o w ork t han f lint a nd i t i s t herefore n ot s urprising t hat t hese i mplements a re s lightly l ess r egular t han t he r emaining b ifaces, w ith f ewer d elicate f lake r emovals f rom e ach f ace. H owever, i n a ll o ther r espects t hey a ppear t o f it w ell i nto t he b out c oupe c lass. N o b out c oupe h andaxes m ade f rom q uartzite o r a ny o ther h ard r aw m aterial w ere e ncountered, a nd i t s eems l ikely t hat i t w ould b e v ery d ifficult t o p roduce a b iface w ith t he r equired d egree o f r efinement a nd f laking t echnique f rom s uch ah ard s tone.

( b) M anufacture: T he l arge m ajority o f t he b ifaces a ppear t o h ave, b een m ade o n m echanically s truck f lakes, w ith o nly f ive p robably b eing m ade f rom f lint n odules. H owever, d ue t o t he e legant a nd c omplete s econdary f laking o f t he b ifaces t he o rigin o f s everal c ould n ot b e d etermined. O ne h andaxe ( 49) m ay h ave b een m ade f rom a " pot l id" t hermally f ractured f lake.

( c) F laking: O nly 2 ( 3%) o f t he h andaxes s tudied h ave ( small) p atches o f r esidual c ortex o n b oth f aces: 3 2 ( 55% o f t he s ample) h ave n o c ortex p atches, i nclusions o r u nworked a reas. N one o f t he h andaxes h as a ny l arge a rea

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o f c ortex a nd i n a lmost e very c ase t he b utt o f t he b iface i s a s w ell w orked a s t he s ides a nd t he t ip. T he h andaxes g enerally s how a h igh s tandard o f f laking, w ith d elicate, f lat, s oft-hammer r emovals o n b oth f aces a nd o n b oth t he b utt a nd t he t ip. O nly t he c hert b ifaces a ppear s lightly l ess w ell f laked. B iface 6 3 i s p erhaps t he m ost e legantly w orked, w ith m any f lat f lake r emovals o n e ach f ace. 2 3% o f t he h andaxes h ave o ne t ranchet s car o n t he t ip, 1 2% h ave t wo t ranchet s cars ( usually o ne o n e ach f ace), a nd 6 5% h ave n one. U nfortunately, n o r egular m anufacturing t echnique c onsistent w ith t he s uggestion t hat o nly a f ew i ndividual w orkers w ere i nvolved i n t he b out c oupe h andaxe p roduction ( see R oe 1 981, 2 54) c ould b e d etected. H owever, i t d id s eem l ikely t hat s ome o f t he h ighly s imilar h andaxes c oming f rom t he s ame f ind-spot, s uch a s t he t wo h andaxes f rom L ittle C ressingham a nd S aham T oney ( 1, 2 ), w hich w ere r ecovered o nly 2 00 y ards a part, o r t he t wo f rom t he C oygan C ave ( 73, 7 4), w hich w hen r ecovered w ere s eparated b y o nly a n i nch o f d eposit, c ould h ave b een t he w ork o f t he s ame k napper. N o f ormal t est f or " idial" o r i ndividual s tyle ( see f or e xample G unn 1 975) w as c onducted, a s n o c onvincingly a ccurate m ethod c ould b e d evised t o t ake a ccount o f t he l arge n umber o f v ariables, s uch a s d ifferences i n r aw m aterial, p resent i n t he b out c oupe s ample.

( d) C utting-edge: N one o f t he h andaxes h as i ncurving ( concave) e dges, a nd a ll h ave t wo c lear a ngles a t t he i ntersection o f t he s traight o r s lightly c onvex b utt w ith t he s ides. W hen m easured w ith a m ap-gauge, t he h andaxes a ppear e xtremely s ymmetrical a bout t he b utt-tip a xis, a symmetry u sually b eing t he r esult o f p ost-manufacture d amage.

( e) P rofile: O nly o ne ( 5) o f t he s tudied b ifaces h as a s trongly t wisted p rofile, a lthough a f ew o thers ( 11) d o s how a s light t wist w hich m ay n ot b e i ntentional, m ost a pparent a t t he t ip. W ymer ( 1968, 5 9) h as s tated t hat t wisted e dges d o n ot s een t o o ccur i n h is " flat-butted c ordate ( type N )" g roup o f h andaxes. A ll t he h andaxes, a part f rom t hose w ith d amaged e dges, s how a c ontinuous c utting-edge e xtending c ompletely r ound t he c ircumference, w ith o nly o ne h andaxe ( 52) h aving a n i ncompletely w orked b utt. T his b iface a lso h as a s light " S" t wist t o t he p rofile.

T he c onsistent h igh q uality o f t he b iface t echnology s uggests t hat t he b out c oup6 h andaxes w ere d eliberately m anufactured t o a n e xtremely h igh s tandard, a lthough w ithout k nowing t he o riginal u se(s) o f t he h andaxes i t i s d ifficult t o d etermine w hether t his i s a n ecessary r efinement c onnected w ith f unction, o r w hether i t h as s ome o ther, p erhaps m ore t raditional o r a esthetic, p urpose. A ccepting a h igh m anufacturing s tandard a s o ne o f t he d istinguishing f eatures o f a b iface g roup i s n ot a lways t otally a dvisable, d ue t o v ariations i n k napping s kill, a vailability o f r aw m aterial, e tc., a nd c ould w ell b e c onsidered a s omewhat c ircular a rgument: o nly w ell-made h andaxes w ere i ncluded i n t he i mplement s ample - a h igh m anufacturing s tandard w as t hen i dentified a s a d efining c haracteristic. I t i s a lso v ery d ifficult t o

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d efine s kilful k napping w ith a ny d egree o f p recision. t he o pinion o f t he p resent w riter, i t i s j ustified i n b out c oupe b iface, w hich t o m odern e yes h as i n i ts e legance s eldom s een i n o ther A cheulian o r M ousterian

N evertheless, i n t he c ase o f t he c lassic f orm a n b ifaces.

( E) G eneral c ondition A lthough c ondition i s n ot o f p articular r elevance w hen c onsidering a g roup o f a rtifacts c ollected f rom d ifferent p rovenances, i t s hould b e n oted t hat f ew o f t he h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered i n a c ompletely f resh o r u nworn c ondition, b ifaces 1 , 2 , 1 5, 3 7 a nd 3 8 b eing p erhaps t he b est p reserved. M any o f t he r emainder h ave a t hick w hite p atina o n o ne o r b oth f aces, f requently w ith t races o f o range i ron s tain; t his m ight b e t he r esult o f l ying e xposed o n t he s urface. P atination c annot b e r egarded a s o f c limatic o r c hronological s ignificance, a lthough a t hick w hite p atina g enerally i ndicates a n e xposure t o a n a lkaline s olution. T he p atination o f t he p ieces b ecomes i mportant w hen t he t echnique o f m icrowear a nalysis i s c onsidered. F ew b roken h andaxes w ere i ncluded i n t he s ample e ssential t o r estrict t he t est t o o bviously t ypical c lassic o utline-shape; b roken b ifaces c ould h ave b een b roken o vate o r c ordate c ould, f or e xample, a ppear p lanform t o a b roken b out c oupe a nd c ould d istort t he

a s i t w as f elt p ieces w ith t he t oo m isleading. A v ery s imilar i n a nalysis.

( F) C onclusions o n t he v alidity o f t he m orpological g roup T he e vidence p resented a bove s trongly s uggests t hat i t i s c orrect t o r egard a ir t he i mplements u nder c onsideration a s o ne m orphological g roup, i n t he s ame w ay t hat, f or e xample, f icrons o r o vates a re g enerally r egarded a s am orphological g roup. U nfortunately, t here i s n o c onclusive s tatistical o r o ther t est t o p rove t his, b ut t he c lose s imilarity o f s ize, p lanform , t echnology a nd r efinement a ll c ombine t o r einforce t he " intuitive" i mpression e xpressed b y R oe, W ymer, C ollins, C allow a nd o thers. T his d irectly c ontradicts C oulson's p ublished o pinion t hat t he b out c oupe c annot b e r egarded a s e ither a " typological m arker" f or t he M ousterian i n B ritain, o r am orphological g roup ( 1986, 5 3): T he m ost o bvious w eakness.... l ies w ith t he c omprehensive d efinition f or t his b iface t ype. I t p roves v irtually i mpossible t o i dentify t his p articular t ool a s n o m etrical l imits h ave b een s et a nd t he o nly i llustrations h ave b een o utline d rawings. H owever, R oe ( 1981) h as r ecently p ublished 2 2 l ine d rawings a nd a p hotograph o f b out c oup gb ifaces c hosen f rom o ver 1 00 f ind-spots f rom t hroughout s outhern B ritain. M ost o f t hese i llustrated s pecimens h ave r ecently b een r e-examined a s p art o f a l arger r esearch p roject ( Coulson 1 982). I t p roved p ossible t o c lassify t he o verwhelming m ajority a ccording t o t he b iface t ypology d evised b y B ordes ( 1961). U nfortunately, i t i s n ot m ade c lear w hether C oulson h as r estricted h er c onsideration o f t he b out c oupe c lass t o t he 2 3 e xamples i llustrated b y

10 1

R oe. T his i s a n i mportant p oint, a s t he p resent w riter w ould a gree t hat m any o f t he b ifaces i llustrated b y R oe, i n p articular t he i llustrations o n p ages 2 23, 2 45 a nd 2 51, d o n ot f it w ithin t he b out c oup c lass a s d efined i n t his m onograph, a nd s hould n ot b e r egarded a s t ypical b out c oupe h andaxes ( several a lso f all o utside t he c lass a s d efined b y R oe). T hese h andaxes c ould, a nd s hould, b e b etter d escribed b y o ther t erms, a nd h ave b een o mitted f rom t he c atalogue g iven i n C hapter 3 . C oulson g oes o n t o s tate ( ibid): T he o nly t ools i llustrated b y R oe t hat c annot b e c lassified b y B ordes' s cheme a re h is e xamples F igures 6 :7, n o.3-6, w hich c an b e d efined a s s ubrectangular ( Coulson 1 982, 4 0). T hese b ifaces c an b e d efined a s r ectangular i n s hape, t hin f lat-based t ools t hat a re s imilar t o s ubtriangular b ifaces b ut a re l ess p ointed a nd w ith m ore r ounded s ides. T he s traight-to-convex b ase a cts a s a t hird c utting e dge a nd i s f requently f inished b y p arallel f laking. T he p rofile i s s traight, n ever t wisted. T he p resent w riter w ould a rgue t hat t hese e xamples r epresent t he a bsolutely c lassic b out c oupe b iface f orm a s d escribed b y R oe a nd o ther w orkers, a nd t hat C oulson h as s imply b een c onfused b y R oe's i llustrations o f a typical, b orderline o r n on bout c oupe i mplements. T o r e-name t he c lassic b out c oupe h andaxes " subrectangular" w ould, i n t he o pinion o f t he p resent w riter, n ot s erve a ny u seful p urpose, a s b out c oup6 h as b ecome a ccepted a s a t erm u sed t o d escribe a s pecific B ritish b iface t ype. T he f ollowing n on-metrical d efinition o f t he b out c oupe h andaxe t ype i s o ffered: A r efined a nd f ully b ifacial m edium-sized c ordiform o r r ectangular b iface w ith a s ymmetrical p lanform , h aving a s traight o r s lightly c onvex b utt e dge, s lightly c onvex s ides a nd a r ounded t ip, a nd s howing a m arked d iscontinuity o f c urvature a t t he i ntersection o f t he s ides w ith t he b ase. B oth t he b utt a nd t he t ip a re w ell w orked, f requently w ith d elicate s oft-hammer f lake r emovals, a nd t here a re n o l arge u nworked a reas o r c ortex p atches. T he c utting-edge r uns r ight r ound t he c ircumference o f t he p iece a nd i s s traight o r o nly s lightly t wisted; t ranchet s cars m ay o r m ay n ot b e p resent o n t he t ip. A ny h andaxe w hich d oes n ot f ulfil t he m ajority o f t hese q ualifications c annot b e r egarded a s a t ypical b out c oupe. M etrically, a b out c oupe b iface m ight b e e xpected t o f all w ithin t he f ollowing r anges: S ize: M aximum l ength M aximum b readth M aximum t hickness S hape:

L l/L x 1 00 B /L x 1 00 B 1/B2 x 1 00

R efinement: T /B x 1 00 T1/ B x 1 00

9 0mm -150mm 7 0mm -100mm 2 3mm - 30mm 1 5 -26 6 5 -75 5 5 -75 2 0 -40 1 5 -26

H owever, a s s ize c an b e d ependent o n t he a vailability a nd q uality o f r aw m aterial, a nd s hape a nd r efinement m ay v ary s lightly a gain d epending o n t he r aw m aterial a nd t he t echnical s kill o f t he k napper

1 11

t his m etrical ' definition c annot b e a pplied d esirable.

a s

s trictly

a s

w ould

b e

U sing t his d efinition, a s t he p resent w riter d oes t hroughout t he f ollowing t ext, i t i s c lear t hat i t i s n ot p ossible f or a b adly-made o r c rude h andaxe, p erhaps a b eginner's f irst a ttempt, o r t he w ork o f a n u nskilled k napper, t o q ualify a s a b out c oupe. I n m any w ays t his c an b e v iewed a s u nfortunate: a b adly-made b out c oupe m ay w ell h ave p layed t he s ame r ole i n t he a ssemblage a s aw ell-worked e xample. H owever, a s t he b ifaces h ave b een i solated p urely o n t he g rounds o f t heir m orphology, a nd i t i s n ot t he i ntention o f t he m aker b ut t he r ecognition o f t he t ypologist t hat m akes a n i mplement a b out c oupe ( however m uch i t m ight b e h oped t hat b oth w ould a pply), i t w ould b e u nwise t o i nclude t oo m any a typical e xamples w hich m ight d istort t he s ample, a nd f ruitless t o a ttempt t o s peculate h ow t he m aker o riginally e nvisaged h is/her t ool. T his i s a p roblem f requently e ncountered i n b iface t ypology, a s m any r ecovered h andaxes c an o nly b e c lassified u nder t he g eneral h eading o f " more p ointed" o r " more o vate". W ithin t he a ccepted b out c oupe d efinition t here i s a r ange o f p lanform s hapes, t he " loaf" s hape b eing t he m ost t ypical. H andaxes 1 , 2 , 7 , 9 , 1 8, 1 9, 6 0 a nd 6 3 a re c lassic e xamples o f t his f orm. A lthough t he m etrical a nalysis i ndicated t hat n o c lear s ub-groups c ould b e i dentified ( perhaps d ue t o t he s mall s ize o f t he a vailable s ample?), t he r emaining h andaxes d o v ary i n p lanform f rom m ore r ectangular t o a lmost s ub-triangular, w hile s till r etaining t heir r ounded t ip a nd a ngled b ase. W hether t his v ariation h ad s ome s ignificance t o t he m anufacturers, p erhaps a f unctional d ifference, o r w hether i t i s t he r esult o f w orkers o f v arying p erception a nd s kill a ttempting t o m ake t he s ame t ool u sing d ifferent s ources o f r aw m aterial, o r i ndeed a c hronological d ifference, i s n ot c lear. A s a ll t he h andaxes a ppear v ery w ell m ade ( by d efinition) i t w ould s eem l ikely t hat t heir p lanform i s a t l east i n p art a d eliberate c hoice o n t he p art o f a s killed w orker. T here a re a f ew b ifaces w hich a pproach t he b out c oup gf orm, a nd w hich c an p erhaps b e d escribed a s b orderline o r a typical e xamples. T hese h ave a lso b een r ecorded i n C hapter 3 , a nd a f ew e xamples a re i llustrated i n F igure 4 .1. G enerally, t hese t end t o b e e ither b ifaces w ith t he c orrect p lanform b ut l acking t he r equired r efinement a nd s econdary c haracteristics, o r v ice v ersa. I n p ractice, i t s eems l ikely t hat s uch b orderline c ases w ill m erge e ither w ith o vate o r c ordate h andaxes ( producing W ymer's t ype K N; 1 968, 6 0) o r w ith t he s ub-triangular o r s ub-cordate c lass; i t c an b e v ery d ifficult t o d istinguish b etween t hese v arious s ub-types a nd t he p resent w riter d oes n ot a ttempt t o d o s o, r eferring t o a ny i mplement w hich a pproaches t he b out c oupe f orm a s a b out c oup like p iece. U nfortunately, t he v ariability o f p lanform w ithin t he d efinition p revents t he u se o f a c ut-off p oint w hich w ould h elp t o c larify t his p oint. T here a re a lso a f ew B ritish b ifaces w hich, p articularly i n p lanform , l ook l ike a b out c oupe o n o ne s ide a nd a n o vate o r c ordiform o n t he o ther. W hile i t w ould a gain b e p ossible t o c lass t hese i mplements a s a s eparate s ub-type ( cf. C ranshaw 's r ecognition o f a " demi-ficron"; C ranshaw 1 983, 1 07) t he p resent w riter f eels t his t o b e u nnecessary a s a ll t he e xamples w hich s he h as e ncountered a ppear t o b e f ar l ess r efined t han t he t ypical b out c oupe, g iving t he i mpression t hat t he a ngle a t o ne s ide o f t he b ase h as b een p roduced a ccidentally.

12 1

F IGURE 4 .1 B IFACES A PPROACHING T HE B OUT C OUPE F ORM

( a) H oxton

( b) W andsworth

( c) H ammersmith

13

R efined-triangular b ifaces a re n ot h ere c onsidered t rue b out c oupe h andaxes a s t hey a re b y R oe ( 1981, 2 54-67). B oth b iface t ypes a re w ell-worked i mplements s howing i n p lanform t wo c lear a ngles a t t he i ntersection o f t he s ides w ith t he b utt, a nd c an t herefore b e c lassed a s m embers o f t he s ame g eneral f lat-or s traight-butted g roup. H owever, i n t heir c lassic f orms t hey s how e ntirely d ifferent o utline-shapes ( Figure 4 .2): t he r efined-triangular i mplements h ave a m ore p ointed t ip, s traight s ides, a l ower B 1/B2 v alue, a nd a s traight b utt e dge. T he t riangular h andaxe c lass i s a ccepted b y B ordes ( 1961) a s a d istinct t ypological g roup, a nd t he f lat-triangular b iface h as b een r ecognised b y h im a s a t ypological m arker f or t he e arly n orthern F rench M TA ( e.g. a t C atigny; L e T illet, s eries c afe a u l ait; B ordes 1 954, 41). I t 4 s hould b e n oted, h owever, t hat a lthough B ordes p resents a s trict d efinition o f t he r efined-triangular b iface a s a n i mplement w ith a s traight b utt a nd s traight s ides, m any o f t he t riangular b ifaces a ccepted b y h im a ctually d o h ave s lightly c oncave s ides. T he p resent w riter d efined t he r efined-triangular b iface: A t riangular, f ully b ifacial a nd w ell-made s ymmetrical h andaxe w ith a r efined c ross-section a nd a s traight b utt-edge s howing a m arked d iscontinuity o f c urvature a t i ts i ntersection w ith e ach s ide. A s w ith t he b out c oupe c lass, t he r efinement i s i mportant t o t he d efinition; s ome p ieces w ith t riangular p lanforms l ack t he r equired f laking t echnique a nd s hould m ore c orrectly b e r egarded a s a n e xtreme f orm o f a nother t ype, u sually s hort l anceolates ( Callow 1 976, 7 .27). T here a re f ew r efined-triangular h andaxes i n B ritain, a nd t he p resent w riter h as o nly b een a ble t o t race o ne c lear e xample, f rom T hetford, N orfolk ( Pitt R ivers M useum, O xford; F igure 4 .2; P late V ). C allow ( 1976, 7 .27) c laims t o h ave f ound s ix B ritish e xamples, a nd f eels t hat t his i s p robably a n u nderestimate. N one o f t he p rincipal B ritish M ousterian s ites ( Oldbury, S hide, K ent's C avern, L ittle P axton, I pswich, C oygan C ave) h as y ielded a t ruly t riangular b iface, a lthough L ittle P axton h as o ne s omewhat r oughly-worked h andaxe w hich d oes a pproach t his f orm ( Cambridge U niversity M useum 3 2.147; P aterson a nd T ebbutt 1 947, F igure 3 ; h ere i llustrated a s F igure 3 .2[11c]). T he r elationship o f t he r efined-triangular h andaxe t o t he b out c oupe g roup i s u nclear. A lthough s uch p ieces a ppear t o b e c learly d istinct o n m orphological g rounds, t hey m ight i n f unctional t erms b e s tylistic v ariants o f t he s ame t ool t ype w ith t he b ase a s a n i mportant f unctional f eature. U nfortunately, o nly m icrowear a nalysis c ould h ope t o d emonstrate t his, a nd n one o f t he h andaxes s o f ar r ecovered i s i n a s uitable c ondition f or s uch a s tudy. R efined s ub-triangular b ifaces w ith m any o f t he c haracteristics o f t he t riangular f orm b ut w ith s lightly m ore c urved e dges c an b e c learly s eparated f rom t he r efined-triangular c lass i f t he s trict d efinition q uoted a bove i s a pplied. T hey a re l ess e asy t o s eparate f rom t he b out c oupe g roup a s n either c lass h as a p recise m etrical d efinition; R oe ( 1981) t herefore c ombines t hese t wo t ypes. A fter t he c ollection a nd a p reliminary a nalysis o f t he d ata r ecorded i n C hapter 3 i t b ecame c lear t hat f ew B ritish b ifaces c an a ctually b e r egarded f ormally a s " sub-triangular b out c oup s", a nd i t w as c lear t hat t hese d id n ot f orm a d istinct s ub-group w ithin t he b out c oupe t ype.

14

F IGURE 4 .2 T HE R EFINED-TRIANGULAR B IFACE A ND T HE B OUT C OUPE

( a)

( b)

( a) R efined-triangular b iface: m ore p ointed t ip s traight e dges l ower

B 1/B2

( b) B out c oupe b iface: m ore r ounded tip c onvex e dges v alue h igher B 1/B2

R efined-triangular b iface f orm T hetford ( White H ill)

v alue

4 .2 T HE D ATING O F T HE B OUT C OUPE B IFACES T he i mportance o f t he d ating e vidence i n a c onsideration o f t he b out c oupe h andaxes i s o bvious. I f t hey h ave a l ong c hronology, p erhaps a s l ong a s 3 00,000 y ears, a nd w e h ave r ecovered a l arge p ercentage o f t he m anufactured b ifaces, t hey m ust p robably b e r egarded a s a r andom c ollection o f a rtifacts l inked t ogether o nly b y t heir s imilar m orphology a nd p erhaps b y a s pecific f unctional r equirement. I f t he s ample o f 7 5 b ifaces r epresents o nly a s mall p roportion o f t he m anufactured b out c oupe h andaxes i t c ould p erhaps b e t hat t here i s a f urther c onnecting l ink o r t radition; t his w ould b e e xtremely d ifficult t o d efine. I f, h owever, t he h andaxes a re s hown t o h ave a s hort c hronology t hen t here i s a p ossibility t hat e ither ( taking t he s hortest c hronology p ossible) t hey w ere m ade b y o ne r estricted g roup o r e ven o ne w orker, o r t hey w ere p roduced b y d ifferent c ontemporary g roups. I n t his c ase t hey m ight w ell b e c onsidered t o b e a f orm o f t ypological f lag o r m arker. T he p ossibilities c an b e s hown d iagrammatically:

L ong c hronology

S hort c hronology

L arge % r ecovered

N o " tradition", h andaxes a re s imply r andom

P roduced b y 1w orker o r a r estricted t radition o r a s pecialised t ool i n a t echno-complex

S mall % r ecovered

S ome f orm o f h anded-down t radition o r f unction, e xtent a nd s pread h ard t o d efine

P roduced b y d ifferent w orkers/groups. E ither i mplements t raded, o r m anufacture n ot c onfined t o o ne a rea

U nfortunately, d ue t o t he c ircumstances o f t heir c ollection, t here i s l ittle d irect d ating e vidence f or t he b out c oupe h andaxes. T he v ast m ajority w ere r ecovered o ver f ifty y ears a go, a nd m any w ere f ound a t o r b efore t he t urn o f t he c entury. O nly 7 b out c oupe h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered i n s itu i n a ny k ind o f a rchaeological e xcavation ( at K ent's C avern, C oygan C ave a nd O ldbury) a nd, o f t hese, o nly t he C oygan C ave e xamples w ere f ound t his c entury a nd u nder m odern c ontrolled c onditions. M ost o f t he r emaining h andaxes w ere r ecovered b y c hance i n c ommercial d igging ( pits, r oadworks, c emeteries e tc.), w here t heir p recise s tratigraphic l evels a nd a ny a ssociations w ere n ot n oted, o r e lse t hey w ere s urface f inds. S imilarly, f ew h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered i n d irect a ssociation w ith e ither o ther a rtifacts o r f aunal/floral r emains.

( A) D etails o f k nown p rovenance/stratigraphy O f t he 7 5 b out c oupe h andaxes l isted i n C hapter 3 , o ne ( 75) i s c ompletely u nprovenanced, 2 8 h ave n o p recise d etails o f p rovenance a lthough t heir f requent w hite p atination a nd w orn a ppearance s uggest t hat m any m ay h ave b een s urface f inds, a nd 4 ( 32-35) h ave b een d redged f rom t he R iver T hames a nd s o c annot b e a ssigned t o a n a ccurate f ind-spot. N ine h andaxes w ere s urface f inds w ith n o f urther d etails o f t heir r ecovery, a lthough i t i s k nown t hat a t l east t wo ( 31, 5 0) w ere

16 1

f ound o n t he s urface a fter p loughing. O thers a re k nown t o h ave b een d ug u p; i n r oad-working ( 41) a nd d uring g ardening ( 19, 5 6, 5 7), o ne o f t hese c oming f rom a g arden a t c . 1 45 f t O .D. o n a s lope l eading u p t o t he M iddle T hames H arefield T errace. T hree ( 13, 2 5, 2 6) c ame f rom e ither " brickearth" o r " gravel", a nd t wo p robably c ame f rom D evensian d eposits ( 15, 6 3). O ne ( 23) c ame f rom b rickearth o verlying t he T hames T aplow T errace, f our ( 16, 1 7, 1 8, 2 0) c ame f rom p its c ut i nto l ow T hames T erraces, a nd o ne ( 65) w as r ecovered f rom t he b ase o f t he 2 0ft t errace o f t he R iver Y eo d uring t he d igging o f a g rave. T he h andaxes w ith t he b est r ecorded p rovenances a re l isted i n T able 8 : t hey r ange f rom " later t han a p oint i n t he I pswichian" ( 58) t o m id-Devensian ( 73, 7 4) a nd s trongly i mply t hat a D evensian, p robably e arly D evensian, d ate i s a ppropriate f or m any o f t he b out c oup6s. I f t his r eally i s a s ingle, o ne-period, s et o f a rtifacts a s w ell a s b eing a s ingle g roup i n t he m orphological s ense, t hen w e c ould p ossibly e xtend t his s uggested d ating t o i nclude a ll t he r ecovered b ifaces. O nly t he C oygan C ave h andaxes ( 73, 7 4) h ave a n a pparently f irm d ate n ot o lder t han t he e arlier D evensian, a nd p robably m id-Devensian, y ounger t han 5 0,000 B P . T his i s b ased o n c ollagen s eparated f rom a r eindeer a ntler a ssociated w ith t he M ousterian a rtifacts, a nd o n u npublished U ranium-series d ates o n s talagmite ( Green 1 985, p ers. c omm .); a s G reen h as s tated ( 1986, 3 9): " preliminary a nalysis d oes n ot t end t o s ubstantiate t he l ate I pswichian/early D evensian c hronological h orizon c laimed f or b out c oupe h andaxes".

( B) D etails o f k nown a ssociations T he m ajority o f t he b out c oupe b ifaces h ave b een r ecovered a s i solated f inds w ith n o k nown a ssociations. W hen t hey d o h ave k nown a ssociations, t hey a re m ost c onsistently f ound w ith o ther b out c oupes, a nd a re a lso f ound i n a ssociation w ith M iddle P alaeolithic ( MTA) m aterial a t L ittle P axton ( 11), I pswich ( 14), O ldbury ( 39), S hide ( 58), K ent's C avern ( 69-72) a nd C oygan C ave ( 73-4). N one o f t he b out c oupe b ifaces w as r ecovered i n g enuine d irect a ssociation w ith L ower P alaeolithic a rtifacts ( or i ndeed w ith a ny l ater p eriod a rtifacts); S hackley ( 1977, 35) r ecords f inding b out c oups h andaxes f rom t he 7 .4m r aised b each a t 3 W arsash a pparently i n t he s ame d eposit a s M icoquian o r W olvercote-type h andaxes, b ut i t i s n ot c ertain t hat t hese a re t rue b out c oupes. T he p ossible a ssociation o f a n a typical b out c oup like c ordate w ith t he " living f loor" a t C reffield R oad, A cton, i s o f i nterest a s i t d emonstrates a p ossible l ink w ith a f lake-blade L evalloisian i ndustry o f e ither l ate I pswichian o r e arly D evensian d ate. . I n a ddition, t hree f ind-spots h ave y ielded s light e vidence o f p ossible a ssociations ( Bourne E nd [ 19], H extable [ 28] a nd F areham [ 56, 5 7]), w here m ore t han o ne i mplement h as b een r ecovered f rom t he s ame g eneral a rea. U nfortunately n o d efinite l ink b etween t he a rtifacts c an b e e stablished, a nd i t i s p ossible t hat t hese a re c hance o ccurrences a s a ll t hree s ites l ie i n a reas w here m any p alaeoliths o f v arious t ypes h ave b een f ound. I n t he c ase o f B ourne E nd, t he t wo f inds w ere i n v ery d ifferent c onditions a nd c ould n ot b e e xpected t o b elong t ogether. T wo f urther h andaxes ( 20 , 5 1) w ere r ecovered i n a pparent a ssociation w ith b ones, i n b oth c ases i ndicative o f t he c old-adapted f auna o f t he l ast g laciation.

17 1

T he r emaining h andaxes h ave n o r ecorded a ssociations, a lthough m any h ave b een r ecovered f rom f ind-spots i n a reas w here A cheulian m aterial ( e.g. D unbridge [ 52], E lveden [ 5]) o r M iddle P alaeolithic m aterial ( e.g. A cton [ 25, 2 6], Y iewsley [ 22]) h as b een f ound. U sually, t he b out c oupe b ifaces a re i n a m arkedly d ifferent c ondition f rom t he L ower P alaeolithic i mplements, a nd c ertainly i n t he c ase o f t he Y iewsley a nd A cton h andaxes i t s eems q uite l ikely o n t he g rounds o f g eneral c ondition a nd p atina t hat t hey w ere i n s ome w ay a ssociated w ith t he M iddle P alaeolithic f inds f rom t he r egion, a lthough t heir p recise r elationship c annot n ow b e f irmly e stablished. W hether t he r emaining h andaxes w ere t ruly i solated o ccurrences, o r w hether t hey a re t he p roduct o f " selective c ollecting" i t i s i mpossible t o s ay, a lthough i t s hould b e n oted t hat a ll o f t he m ore r ecent f inds ( 15, 1 6, 2 0, 2 3, 3 1) h ad n o d irect a ssociations. A s c an b e s een f rom t he d istribution m ap ( Figure 3 .1), t hese h andaxes t end t o o ccur a s l ow-level f inds, u sually a long r ivers, o r a s s urface f inds f rom h igher g round. W here t he f inds o ccur i n s pecifically f luviatile d eposits, t hese a re l ow-level t erraces o r e ven b uried r iver c hannels ( e.g. 1 , 2 , 1 5, 1 6, 2 0 e tc.). R oe ( 1981, 2 52) h as p ointed o ut t hat " even w ith s tray f inds, a rguable e xamples o f M iddle P alaeolithic t echnology a re o ften n ot f ar a way"; a lthough i t s hould b e r emembered t hat f or m any o f t he s outhern f inds A cheulian a rtifacts c an a lso b e f ound n earby.

( C) C onclusions o n t he d ating e vidence T he m ajority o f t he b out c oupe h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered a s i solated f inds, w ithout a ny k nown d etails o f p recise p rovenance, d iscovery o r a ssociations. T he i nformation t hat c an b e e xtracted f rom t he g eographical d istribution o f t hese b ifaces i s c onsequently s omewhat l imited, b ut t he h igh i ncidence o f l ow-level f luviatile s ituations a nd s urface f inds w ould s eem t o s uggest a r elatively l ate d ate. T hose h andaxes w hich d o h ave f urther d etails s eem t o s uggest t hat a n e arly D evensian, o r p ossibly l ate I pswichian/early D evensian, d ate, d epending u pon t he i nterpretation o f t he e vidence f rom S hide ( 58), w ould b e m ost a ppropriate f or t he g roup. T he m id-Devensian d ate f rom t he C oygan C ave i s t herefore t he o nly i nstance t hat i s s omewhat y ounger t han o ne m ight e xpect f or t his t ype o f h andaxe. U ntil t his e vidence i s f ully p ublished i t m ust b e a ssumed e ither t hat t he m anufacture a nd u se o f t he b out c oupes l asted l onger t han h as b een p reviously s upposed, o r t hat f or s ome r eason i t p ersisted i n t his p articular m arginal a rea a fter i t h ad c eased t o b e m ade a nd u sed e lsewhere. T his p roposed e arly D evensian g eneral d ating i s ' to s ome e xtent s upported b y t he o bservation t hat w hile b out c oup s o r b out c oupe like p ieces o ccur i n M ousterian a ssemblages, w ith t he p ossible e xception o f t he H ampshire " bout c oupes" i dentified b y S hackley, n one h as b een f ound i n d irect a ssociation w ith L ower P alaeolithic a rtifacts. H owever, s everal o f t he b out c oupe h andaxes a ccepted b y R oe ( 1981) f rom M TA s ites ( e.g. W ookey, O ldbury) a re n ot a ccepted a s b out c oupe b ifaces b y t he p resent w riter, a r eading w hich s omewhat w eakens t he l ink b etween t he b out c oupe t ype a nd t he M TA ( see M ellars 1 974, 6 4). I t i s u nfortunate t hat w ith t he p ossible e xception o f t he i mplements f rom L ittle P axton ( 11) a nd S hide ( 58) n one o f t he b out c oupes r ecovered a s p art o f aM TA a ssemblage c an b e r egarded a s ac lassic e xample, a lthough

18 1

t hey a ll c ertainly f all w ithin t he s ame m orphological g roup u nder t he d efinition u sed h ere. T he C oygan C ave a nd K ent's C avern f inds a re a ll m ade f rom a l ocal m aterial w hich m akes a d etailed c omparison w ith f lint b ifaces d ifficult, t he O ldbury h andaxe i s u nusually s mall a lthough i t f ulfils a ll t he o ther r equirements o f t he c lass, a nd t he I pswich e xample i s b roken. A ll t hese h andaxes w ere i ncluded i n t he m orphological g roup w ithout a c onsideration o f a ny o ther a ssociated e vidence; i t c ould t herefore b e a rgued t hat a t l east s ome o f t hem a re n ot i n f act t rue b out c oupe h andaxes, b ut m erely w ell-made c ordates o r s ub-cordates ( as a re f ound a t O ldbury) w hich h ave a ccidentally a cquired t he " angles" o n t he b ase. H owever, i n t he o pinion o f t he p resent w riter a ll t he b ifaces h ave b een d eliberately w orked t o t he b out c oupe f orm a nd s hould r emain o n t he l ist. W hether i t i s p ossible t o b e m ore s pecific a bout t he d ating o f t he b ifaces i s n ot c lear. M ellars ( 1974, 6 2-4) h as s uggested o n t he b asis o f C ontinental p arallels t hat t hey m ight i n t heir c lassic f orm b e c onfined t o t he v ery e arly s tage o f t he D evensian, p ossibly d uring t he i nitial c old p eriod p receding t he B rorup/Chelford i nterstadial, a nd p ossibly e arlier t han c ertain M TA a ssemblages. T he a vailable d ating e vidence f rom B ritain ( with t he e xception o f t hat f rom t he C oygan C ave) w ould c ertainly n ot c ontradict t his t heory, b ut i t a lso o ffers v ery l ittle s upporting e vidence. C ertainly t he e vidence f rom B ournemouth ( 60, 6 3) a nd S nodland ( 37, 3 8), w here c lassic b out c oup s h ave b een r ecovered, i mplies a n i nterstadial o r w arm p hase r ather t han a c old p eriod. I f t he v alidity o f t he m orphological g roup i s a ccepted, i t i s p ossible t o s uggest t hat o n p urely t ypological a nd t echnological g rounds s tray a nd u ndated f inds o f b out c oupe h andaxes m ight b e e xpected t o h ave a l ate I pswichian o r m ore l ikely a n e arly D evensian d ate, a nd w ould b e v ery u nlikely t o b e y ounger t han t he m id-Devensian. T he c onsistent s tyle o f t he p ieces m ay p erhaps f urther s uggest t hat t hey h ave a f airly r estricted t ime-range w ithin t his p eriod, b ut t his i s m ore d ifficult t o p rove.

4 .3 T HE D ISTRIBUTION O F T HE B OUT C OUPE B IFACES T he d istribution m ap ( Figure 3 .1) g ives a n i ndication o f t he g eographical s catter o f t he b out c oupe b ifaces w ithin B ritain. T his i s a r evised v ersion o f a n e arlier d istribution m ap p ublished b y R oe ( 1981, F igure 6 .6), w ith t he r emoval o f s ome h andaxes a nd t he a ddition o f a f ew m ore r ecent f inds. A lthough i t s hould b e t reated w ith a p roper a mount o f c aution, a s f ew o f t he b ifaces h ave a p recise p rovenance a nd w e h ave l ittle k nowledge o f h ow t he d ata h as b een f ormed ( see H odder 1 978, 3 7), i t i s a pparent t hat t he m ajority o f t he h andaxes c ome f rom s outhern l ow-lying r iver v alley s ites, w ith s ome c ave o ccurrences, a nd a f ew h igher-level s urface o ccurrences i n c halk r egions ( e.g. E lham [ 47, 4 8], a t c . 4 00ft 0 .D.). T his m ay b e p artially e xplained b y t he p resence o f a rdent c ollectors a nd i ntensive g ravel w orking i n c ertain a reas, b ut i t d oes s eem t o m irror t he k nown d istribution o f M TA s ites i n n orthern F rance ( Collins a nd C ollins 1 970, F igure 7 ). T he C oygan C ave i mplements ( 73, 7 4) a re s omewhat i solated f rom t he r emaining h andaxes, w hich a ll f all

19 1

t o t he s outh o f a l ine d rawn f rom t he B ristol C hannel t o t he W ash; t he K ent's C avern h andaxes ( 69-72) a re s imilarly i solated d own i n t he s outh-west. H owever, a s p robable M ousterian r emains h ave b een f ound b oth a s f ar n orth a s C reswell C rags a nd a s f ar t o t he s outh a nd w est a s W indmill C ave, B rixham, i t s eems t hat a ll t he f inds o f b out c oupe h andaxes f all w ithin t he k nown g eographical r ange o f M ousterian M an i n B ritain, a s r epresented b y v arious M ousterian a rtifacts. T he g eneral s outh-easterly B ritish d istribution f its w ell w ith t he o bserved g eneral d istribution o f L ower a nd M iddle P alaeolithic f ind-spots ( as p lotted b y R oe 1 964 , 2 60-1), a nd i s t o t he s outh o f t he n orth-westerly l imit o f i n s itu f lint i n E ngland a nd W ales ( Green 1 984, F igure 1 .2). I t a lso f its w ell w ith t he k nown s outhern l imits o f t he D evensian i ce s heet i n t he n orth o f B ritain a nd, a s i t i s h ighly u nlikely t hat B ritain w ould h ave b een o ccupied c ontinuously t hroughout t he l ast g laciation, t he p attern d oubtless r eflects t he a lmost i nevitable l ink w ith n orthern F rance a nd/or B elgium . T he h andaxes l ying o n t he w estern f ringes o f t he d istribution a re i n m any w ays t he l east t ypical ( 66-74) a s t hey a re m ade f rom a l ocal m aterial r ather t han f rom g ood q uality f lint. T his i mplies t hat t hey w ere m ade l ocally, r ather t han b eing t raded i nto t he a rea.

4 .4 T HE F UNCTION(S) O F T HE B OUT C OUPE B IFACE T he w ell-worked c ontinuous c utting-edge a nd r efined b utt o f t he b out c oupe m ake i t v ery d ifficult t o d ecide w hich w as t he m ain w orking-edge o f t he i mplement; i f i ndeed t here w as o ne m ain w orking-edge. A s e arly a s 1 947, w hen t his t ype h ad n ot b een f ully r ecognised, P aterson a nd T ebbutt ( 1947, 4 1) s ingled o ut t he b utt o f t he L ittle P axton b out c oupe h andaxe ( 11) f or s pecial a ttention: T here i s a n a pparent c hange i n f unction. ....the c ondition o f t he s quare-butted p yriform s hows t hat t he b utt h as b ecome a f unctioning e dge o f s ome i mportance.... I n t his s pecialised c ase t here i s a ltogether a n i mpression t hat i t i s i ntermediate b etween t he t rue A cheulian b oucher a t E lveden, a nd t he u npolished p ost-Palaeolithic c elt. a s d id C alkin a nd G reen, w riting a bout S outhbourne, B ournemouth ( 60) ( 1949, 3 1):

t he

h andaxe

r ecovered

T here c an b e n o d oubt t hat t he b utt w as t he b usiness t hough m ost o f t his h as b een d amaged b y aw orkman's p ick.

f rom

e nd,

A ll t he b out c oupe ' b ifaces i ncluded i n t he c atalogue h ave b een e xamined b oth b y e ye a nd w ith a h and-lens f or a ny i ndication o f u se-wear w hich c ould i ndicate t he f unctional e dge(s) o f t he h andaxe. T he w orn a nd p atinated n ature o f a lmost a ll t he s pecimens m eans t hat f ew c onclusions c an b e d rawn, b ut a t l east o ne h andaxe ( 63) h as w hat a ppear t o b e s igns o f u se r ather t han d amage o n t he b utt; C alkin a nd G reen ( ibid) r efer t o t his a s a n i mplement i n m int c ondition w ith t he b utt e nd w orn. O ther b ifaces a ppear m ore w orn, e ither b y d amage o r u se, a long t he e dges a nd t owards t he t ip. A t t he o nset o f t he i nvestigation i t w as h oped t hat m icrowear

1 20

a nalysis

w ould b e a ble t o u nravel s ome o f t he m ysteries o f t he b out c oupe. M icrowear a nalysis h as a lready b een c arried o ut o n a f ew h andaxes w ith v arying d egrees o f s uccess ( e.g. K eeley 1 980, 7 9-82, 1 42-7). U nfortunately, t he v ast m ajority o f t he b out c oupes a re n ot i n a n a ppropriate c ondition f or t his t echnique, b eing w eathered, w orn, a braded a nd f requently c overed w ith a t hick w hite p atina: o nly f ive h andaxes, t hose f rom A bingdon ( 15), L ittle C ressingham ( 1), S aham T oney ( 2) a nd S nodland ( 37, 3 8) a ppeared a t f irst s ight t o b e s ufficiently w ell p reserved. T he A bingdon a nd S aham T oney b ifaces l ater h ad t o b e r ejected, a s e xamination w ith a s trong h and l ens r evealed t hat t hey w ere s omewhat w ater-worn. T he t wo S nodland h andaxes, w hich h ave n ot b een s een b y t he p resent w riter b ut w hich a re i n t he o pinion o f R oe ( 1984, p ers. c omm.) p erhaps t he t wo b est p reserved e xamples o f t his h andaxe t ype, w ere u nfortunately n ot a vailable f or s tudy ( J . C arreck, 1 984, p ers. c omm.). T he r emaining h andaxe, f rom L ittle C ressingham , w as e xamined b y D r E mily M oss o f t he I nstitute o f A rchaeology, L ondon, w ho c oncluded t hat t he h andaxe w as n ot i n f act a s f resh a s i t h ad a ppeared t o t he n aked e ye; a gain t here w as c lear e vidence o f w ater r olling o n b oth f aces -perhaps n ot s urprising, a s t he h andaxe w as r ecovered f rom f luviatile d eposits. T herefore, n o o bservation o f a ny m icrowear t races h as y et b een m ade o n a ny B ritish b out c oupe h andaxe. N or i s t here a ny a ssociated e vidence t hat h as a ny f unctional i mplications f or t hese o bjects. H owever, t wo f acts a re w orthy o f f urther c onsideration: 1 . T he h andaxes a re f requently f ound a s i solated f inds. D oes t his i mply t hat t hey w ere n ot i ntended t o b e c omponents o f a g eneral t ool-kit a t a s ite, b ut w ere m ade t o b e c arried i ndividually o r u sed s eparately, o r e ven t raded? T he e vidence o f b out c oupes m ade f rom l ocal s tone i n s outh-west E ngland a nd W ales, a nd t he r estriction o f t hese p articular i mplements t o t hese a reas, s uggests t hat t here w as a c ertain a mount o f l ocal m anufacture, b ut t his w ould n ot r ule o ut t he m ovement o f w ell-worked f lint h andaxes i n o ther r egions. 2 . A g reat d eal o f w ork h as g one i nto t he m anufacture o f t he h andaxes: t hey a ppear t o m odern e yes t o b e e xtremely e legantly m ade, p erhaps m ore s o t han i s s trictly n ecessary, a lthough t his i s d ifficult t o d etermine w ithout a k nowledge o f t heir o riginal p urpose. C ould i t b e t hat t he e xtra w ork i nvolved i n t heir m anufacture g ave t hem s ome p restige o r c eremonial v alue b eyond t heir a ctual f unctional w orth? M odern e xperimental w ork ( e.g. J ones 1 980) s hows t hat b ifaces c an b e u sed f or a v ariety o f p urposes i ncluding b utchery: J ones f ound t hat h and-held m edium-sized b ifaces w ere p erhaps t he b est t ool f or s kin-removal a nd m eat c utting f rom a l arger -animal. H owever, e thnographic p arallels s uggest t hat t he i mplements m ay p erhaps h ave b een h afted a s a xes o r a dzes ( adzes b eing m ore l ikely a s t hey a re e asier t o h aft w ithout g rooving t he h ead; C oon 1 972, 2 1), w ith t he b utt f orming t he c utting-edge ( see f or e xample P hillips 1 977, F igure 4 ), b ut t his c annot b e p roven; u se i n e ither c apacity w ould p roduce o ne o r a nother c haracteristically u neven w ear p attern w hich w as n ot o bserved o n a ny o f t he e xamples s tudied. A gain, n one o f t he h andaxes f urnished a ny t races o f h afting, a lthough t his i n i tself i s p erhaps r ather l ess s ignificant a s h afting n eed n ot l eave a ny m arks u pon t he t ool a nd b iface h afting-traces a re r arely f ound ( see W .G. S mith 1 894, 21-2). 2 T he p resent w riter f ound t hat a n e xperimentally m anufactured b out c oupe

1 21

w as f airly e fficient f or a v ariety o f p urposes ( such a s s kinning a r abbit, c utting w ood e tc.), a nd c ould b e u sed h afted o r u nhafted; n o d etailed e xperimental w ork w as c arried o ut a s w ithout a b etter k nowledge o f t he u se o r f unctional e dges o f t he i mplement i t w ould h ave b een d ifficult t o d raw r elevant c onclusions. S imilarly, a s earch f or e thnographic p arallels s uggests a w ide r ange o f p ossible u ses f or s tone - usually p olished - implements w ith t he s traight-butted b out c oupe o utline-shape, r anging f rom p urely f unctional ( cutting, c hopping, d igging, s kinning, m ulti-purpose) t o r itual ( ceremonial a xes, " bridewealth") a nd s trange o r u nlikely ( skimming s tones, " currency"; s ee r eferences q uoted b y S oulier 1 978, 9 8). T his l ine o f r esearch w as n ot f ollowed u p b y t he w riter a s i t p assed r apidly i nto t he r ealms o f s peculation. I t c an t herefore o nly b e r eported t hat c oupe b iface i s, a s y et, q uite u nknown.

t he

f unction(s)

o f

t he

b out

4 .5 A S UMMARY O F T HE B RITISH E VIDENCE F OR T HE B OUT C OUPE B IFACE G ROUP A fter a d etailed c onsideration o f t he b out c oups b ifaces l isted i n C hapter 3 t he p resent w riter d ecided, a s p revious a uthorities h ad a lready s uggested, t hat t hey d id i ndeed a ppear t o f orm a d istinctive m orphological t ype w ithin t he b road r ange o f B ritish h andaxe-forms. M ore f ormal s tatistical a nd m etrical a nalyses s eem t o c onfirm t his i mpression. T he h andaxes w ithin t his m orphological g roup e xhibit t hree m ajor d efining f eatures: 1 . A s ymmetrical p lanform w ith a r ounded t ip, s lightly c onvex s ides a nd a m arked d iscontinuity o f c urvature a t t he i ntersection o f t he s traight o r s lightly c onvex b ase w ith t he s ides. 2 . H igh q uality k napping, u sually w ith a s oft-hammer, f ace, b oth t ip a nd b utt.

o n

e ach

3 . A r efined p rofile. H owever, w ithin t his d efinition t here i s a s light v ariation o bservable, p articularly i n p lanform , w ith s ome h andaxes t ending m ore t o t he s ub-triangular, o thers b eing m ore o void. M etrical a nalysis i ndicated t hat n o c lear s ub-types c ould b e i dentified w ithin t he g eneral t ype, a nd s o n o f urther a ttempt w as m ade t o d efine t hese s ub-groups. W hether t he o bserved v ariation i s i ntentional, p erhaps d ue t o s light f unctional o r t raditional d ifferences, o r w hether i t i s u nintentional, c aused b y d ifferences i n s kill, r aw m aterial o r p erception, i s d ifficult t o d etermine. T here a re v ery f ew B ritish r efined-triangular h andaxes; t his i s s omewhat s urprising a s t he i nclusion o f t he t riangular o n B ordes' ( 1961) t ypological l ist s uggests t hat i n F rance i t i s a w idely e ncountered t ype. T he r elationship b etween t he b out c oupe a nd t he r efined-triangular b iface i s u nclear, b ut t he c ommon f eature o f a w ell-worked b utt s uggests t hat i t i s c orrect t o r egard t hem b oth a s f alling w ithin t he s ame g eneral r efined s traight-butted h andaxe g roup.

1 22

U nfortunately,

t here i s

n o

c lear

d ating

e vidence

f or

t he

B ritish

r efined-triangular h andaxe t ype. A ll a vailable e vidence s uggests t hat t he b out c oupe h andaxes a re n ot o lder t han t he l ate I pswichian, a nd n ot y ounger t han t he m id-Devensian ( a t ime s pan o f a t l east 4 0,000 y ears): m ost o f t hose d ated a ppear t o b elong t o t he e arly D evensian. T here i s n o e vidence t hat t hey h ave e ver b een r ecovered i n a g enuine a ssociation w ith L ower P alaeolithic a rtifacts, b ut s everal h ave b een f ound i n M TA i ndustries, a lthough p erhaps f ewer a nd l ess t ypical e xamples t han h as p reviously b een a ssumed. W hether t his f urnishes e nough e vidence t o s uggest t hat t he b out c oup gc an b e r egarded a s a t ypological m arker f or t he M TA i s u nclear; t he p roblem i s s omewhat c onfused b y t he a typical n ature o f t he B ritish M TA i tself. T his r aises a s eries o f i nteresting q uestions: 1 .

I f t he h andaxes t ruly a re a d iagnostic M TA m arker, w hy a re s o f ew t ypical p ieces f ound a ssociated w ith M ousterian s ites? I s i t b ecause t he b out c oupe w as i ntended f or a s pecific u se a way f rom t he s ite? S hould t he h andaxe f rom C reffield R oad, A cton, w hich a pproaches t he b out c oupe f orm , b e r egarded a s am orphological a ccident, o r i s i t p erhaps a n i ndication t hat t he b out c oupe w as p resent i n B ritain b efore M TA s ites s uch a s O ldbury w ere o ccupied?

2 .

I f t hey a re n ot a M ousterian t ool, w hy a re t hey o ccasionally f ound i n M ousterian a ssemblages, a nd a lmost n ever w ith a nything e lse? C ould t he m ajority p erhaps b e t he w ork o f a s mall g roup o f p eople? T his w ould c ertainly a ccount f or t heir m arked s imilarity o f f orm a nd w ould i ndicate a v ery s hort c hronology f or t he t ype.

T here i s n ot y et q uite e nough B ritish s imilar q uestions.

1 23

e vidence

t o

a nswer

t hese

a nd

CHAPTER 5 THE BOUT COUPE BIFACE IN NORTH WEST EUROPE In spite of the fact that the bout coupe biface type is not included on Bordes' (1961) typological list, British archaeologists have tended to assume that the bout coupe is commonly found in northern France, and that the British bout coup� distribution is merely an extension of that found in north west Europe. However, no serious attempt has been made to gather together the evidence necessary to prove this assumption. Therefore, a brief examination of selected relevant Continental late-dating handaxe assemblages was conducted in order to gain a wider understanding of the geographical and chronological distribution of the bout coupe biface. This search was concentrated on northern France, the area closest to Britain in geographical terms. 5.1 THE SEARCH FOR BOUT COUPE BIFACES IN NORTHERN FRANCE It was unfortunately not possible, for reasons of finance, to make a thorough survey of every known MTA site in northern France other than by means of the available publications. Therefore, following correspondence and discussions with colleagues plus a detailed literature survey, it was decided to concentrate the investigation on the northern French sites of Bois-du-Rocher (Brittany), and Bihorel, La Mare-aux-Clercs, Mesnil-Esnard and Le Tillet (all in the low-lying Paris Basin). Any further examples of bout coup� or bout coupe-like handaxes occurring in this area, either in assemblages or as isolated finds, were also recorded. It is by no means intended to suggest that bout coupe bifaces are only likely to occur in the north-western part of France, but the search was confined to this region for the reasons given below: 1. Although the pre-Holocene history of the land-bridge between the peninsula of Britain and the rest of Europe is not yet understood in any detail (Roe 1982, 181), it is known that access to Britain would have been possible from northern and western France at least intermittently during the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic, the land-bridge presumably being at its widest during the periods of maximum glaciation (with lowered sea-level). So far as France is concerned, it therefore seems logical to examine the north-west of the country for any archaeological evidence which could indicate such a link, passing in either direction. The north-west of France is· more similar in many respects (physical geography, local conditions, availability of resources etc.) to southern Britain than it is to the classic MTA area of southern France, and is perhaps the most likely region to 125

f urnish g ood p arallels f or t he k nown B ritish M TA s ites a nd s tray M ousterian f inds. I t s eems r easonable t o a ssume t hat a ny l ink b etween t he m ore s outherly s ites a nd B ritain m ust h ave p assed t hrough , a nd p erhaps i nfluenced t he a rchaeology o f, n orthern F rance. 2 . I t i s a pparent, e ven f rom t he p ublished l iterature, t hat t he l ow-lying o pen-air M TA s ites o f t he P aris B asin d iffer i n s everal i mportant r espects f rom t he c lassic c ave MTA s ites o f t he P erigord ( e.g. M cBurney 1 950 , 1 73; B ordes 1 954 , 40 ; 4 M ellars 1 969, 1 48). T he m ost o bvious d ifference s eems t o b e i n t he m orphology o f t he b ifaces , w hich t ypically a ppear b oth l arger, i f w e t ake s ize a s r epresented b y l ength , a nd r elatively m uch t hinner t han t he h andaxes r ecovered f rom t he s outhern c ave s ites ( Mellars 1 969 , 1 48). M any o f t he n orthern h andaxes h ave c haracteristically w ell-worked f lat a nd a ngular b utts ( see f or e xample t he C ollins' [ 1970 , 1 62] r ecognition o f t he " Paxton t ype" b utt i n t he L e T illet " café a u l ait" s eries), w hich M ellars ( 1969, 1 48) d escribes a s o ften a pproaching t he t riangular o r b out c oupe f orm . B ordes ( 1954 , 4 41) h as e ven s uggested t hat t he f lat t riangular h andaxe, " biface t riangulaire p lat" m ay r epresent a t ype f ossil f or t he n orthern M TA v ariant, s omewhat a s t he b out c oupe . h as b een s uggested a s a t ypological m arker f or t he B ritish M TA ; " us p ourraient c onstituer u n b on f ossile d u M ousterien d e t radition a cheuleen a ncien" ( Bordes 1 961, 7 0). W hile t hese s pecific t riangular h andaxes a re n ot e ntirely r estricted t o t he n orth a nd w est o f F rance , b ut a re a lso f ound o ccasionally i n t he s outh i ncluding t he P erigord r egion ( for e xample a t T autifaut, B ergerac; M ellars 1 969, 1 48), t hey a re e xtremely r are i n c aves a nd r ockshelters ( Bordes 1 961, 7 0 ; M ellars 1 969, 1 48). T he n orthern F rench M TA i ndustries a ll s eem t o h ave b een r ecovered f rom i mmediately b elow t he e arliest d eposits o f t he Y ounger L oess ( Bordes 1 954, 4 40), m ost f requently i n t he W arneton s oil ( Tuffreau 1 972, 4 5) o r i n t he r eworked R ocourt s oil ( Callow 1 976, 1 .6), a nd a re t herefore d ated t o a p eriod o f d eteriorating c limate a t t he b eginning o f t he f inal g laciation , b efore t he m ajor l oess d eposition. T he i ndustries e nd 4 s ometime d uring t he W ürm I p hase ( Bordes 1 954, 3 96-7, 49; M ellars 1 969 , 1 49), h andaxes b eing e xtremely r are i n t he f irst w eathering h orizon o f t he Y ounger L oess ( Commont 1 913 , 3 27-30). M ellars ( 1969 , 1 49) h as s uggested t hat t his d ecrease i n b ifaces m ay r epresent a c ultural r e-adjustment t o t he c hanging l ocal c onditions, o r e ven a m ovement o f p opulation d uring t he m ain p eriod o f l oess d eposition, w hen 4 t he r egion m ay h ave b ecome a lmost i nhabitable ( see B ordes 1 954, 44). T he a ssemblages w hich a re r ecovered f rom t his h orizon a re g enerally c lassed a s ap oorly c haracterised T ypical M ousterian. I f M ellars ( 1969) i s c orrect i n h is d ating o f t he P erigordian " cave M TA" t o t he e nd o f W ürm I I, a t ime d ifference o f p erhaps 2 0-30 ,000 y ears i s i mplied b etween t he n orthern M TA v ariant a nd t he m ore s outherly " cave M TA". I t s hould b e n oted t hat a t E pouville ( Lechevalier 1 969) a s mall a ssemblage w ith a n " apparently i ntermediate t ypological p osition b etween t he c lassic n orth F rench s ites a nd t hose o f t he D ordogne" ( Callow 1 976 , 1 .7) h as b een d ated t o W ürm I /II.

1 26

F IGURE 5 .1

T HE D ISTRIBUTION O F T HE P RINCIPAL B RETON M TA S ITES D ISCUSSED I N C HAPTER 5 ( After M onnier 1 982, F igure 1 )

K ent's C avern

• I P Bois-duR ocher

& C los-Rouge 4 1 Kervouster

0 M ajor M TA s ites • M inor M TA s ites

1 27

( A) B ois-du-Rocher, C ötes-du-Nord, B rittany A lthough s everal B reton M iddle P alaeolithic s ites h ave y ielded o ne o r m ore b ifaces ( e.g. L a T rinite, L a R oche T onnerre a nd C astel-Meur; M onnier 1 980, 4 81), t here a re o nly f ive M ousterian s ites w ith a h igh b iface c omponent ( Monnier 1 982, 9 5): B ois-du-Rocher a nd C los-Rouge ( St. H glen, C ötes-du-Nord), L 'Arcouest a nd K arreg-ar-Yer-Leun ( Ploubazlanec, C ötes-du-Nord) a nd K ervouster ( Guengat, F inistere) ( Consult F igure 5 .1). T he t hree m ajor s ites, B ois-du-Rocher, C los-Rouge a nd K ervouster, a re a ll o pen-air s ites s ituated i n t he h interland, a way f rom t he m ain p resent-day c oastal d istribution o f M ousterian s ites i n t his r egion ( see d iscussion i n M onnier 1 982). T here i s n o l ocally o ccurring f lint ( "le s ilex e st t otalement a bsent d u s ous-sol a moricain"; M onnier 1 982, 9 3), a nd a ll t hree s ites m ake u se o f a s iliceous r ock o f l ocal o rigin, ah ard c emented s andstone w hich f ractures t hrough, r ather t han r ound, t he g rains, a nd w hich i s k nown a s g _ rs l ustre. I t s eems h ighly l ikely t hat t he n eed t o e xploit t his p articular s tone, w hich i s f ound o nly i n t he h interland, i s r esponsible f or t he n on-coastal d istribution o f t he s ites. A ll t hree s ites h ave m ore t han 9 7% o f t heir t ools m ade f rom t his m aterial ( Monnier 1 982, 1 00; s ee 1 01-3 f or a d escriptive l ist o f t he o ther m aterials u sed). I n t erms o f a ccepted t ypology, t he i ndustries a t B ois-du-Rocher, C los R ouge a nd l 'Arcouest a ll s eem l ikely t o b elong t o a n e arly f orm o f t he M ousterian o f A cheulian T radition ( Bordes' T ype A ?), a s t hey h ave m any o vate a nd a mygdaloid b ifaces, a nd s ome c leavers m ade o n f lakes, w hile t he K ervouster a ssemblage i s p robably l ater ( MTA T ype B ?), w ith f ewer w ell-made h andaxes, a nd t he p resence o f n otched p ieces a nd b urins ( Giot a nd M onnier 1 976, 1 095). F airly c lose t o t he e ast o f t hese s ites, w ithin t he A morican M assif b ut o utside B rittany, l ie t he s ites o f M ontbert ( to t he s outh o f N antes), C helle, M esangers a nd H ambers e n M ayenne, w hich M onnier ( 1982, 4 89) c ompares w ith t he B reton s ites o f K ervouster, B ois-du-Rocher a nd C los-Rouge, a s t hey a re a lso o pen —air s ites m aking u se o f t he l ocal g res l ustre ( see G ruet 1 976). I t h as b een s uggested ( Roe 1 969, 6 ; s ee a lso M cBurney 1 950, 1 74) t hat a mongst t he M ousterian o vate a nd c ordiform i mplements f rom B ois-du-Rocher a re s ome b ifaces s trongly r eminiscent o f t he B ritish b out c oupe c lass. T herefore t he B ois-du-Rocher a ssemblage w as e xamined i n a n a ttempt t o d etermine t he t ruth o f t his t heory. I t s eems f rom t he p ublished l iterature ( e.g. M onnier a nd E tienne 1 978) t hat t he o ther B reton M TA s ites h ave y ielded a m orphologically s imilar r ange o f b ifaces; i t i s t herefore l ikely t hat B ois-du-Rocher h as b een s ingled o ut b y B ritish a rchaeologists p urely b ecause i t i s t he b est-known B reton s ite w ith, a s t here a re l arge c ollections o f B ois-du-Rocher m aterial i n B ritain, t he m ost e asily a ccessible i mplements f or s tudy. A s f ar a s c an b e d etermined f rom t he p ublished l iterature, i t w ould s eem t hat n one o f t he o ther s ites h as y ielded a c lassic b out c oupe h andaxe; M onnier ( 1985, p ers. c omm.) a grees w ith t his a ssessment. B ois-du-Rocher, t o t he n orth-east o f D inan, w as f irst r ecognised a s a n a rea o f a rchaeological i nterest i n t he l ater p art o f t he n ineteenth c entury w hen l arge n umbers o f s urface f inds o f i mplements, i n p articular b ifaces, w ere r ecovered i n t he i mmediate l ocality. T he s ite i tself w as d iscovered i n 1 869. I t w as f irst e xcavated i n 1 872 b y t wo l ocal a mateur a rchaeologists, F ornier a nd M icault, w ho p ublished o nly t he l ocation o f t he s ite a nd a b rief d escription o f t he a rchaeological

1 28

m aterial ( 1882, 2 43-273). L ater t he s ite w as r e-investigated ( 1959-61); a b rief a ccount o f G ruet's e xcavations h as b een G iot ( 1960, 1 57; 1 962, 1 87):

b y G ruet g iven b y

L es i nstruments r etouches s ont n oyes d ans u ne m asse d 'eclats d e d ebitage, e t l es b ifaces s ont r elativement m om s a bondantes q ue l 'examen d es c ollections i ssues d u g isement p ouvait l e l aisser c roire; u ne e tude s tatistique d etai nee d e c e m ateriel e st e n c ours. ( Giot 1 960, 1 57) G iot a nd M onnier ( 1976 , 1 095) s tate t hat G ruet w as a ble t o i dentify i n s itu a rchaeological l ayers, w ith a p ossibility o f a s tratigraphic p osition f or t he i ndustry, a nd M onnier ( 1981, 1) t entatively p laces 1 B ois-du-Rocher i n t he e arly W eichselien ( W urm I ). C allow ( 1976, 5 .7) h owever, q uoting G ruet ( in l itt.) m entions t hat C ruet's e xcavations i ndicated m ixing w ith N eolithic w aste i n t he u pper l ayers, a nd a s tratigraphic s equence w ith a r adiocarbon d ate o f 5 000+/-300 B P. T he p ossibility t hat m ore t han o ne P alaeolithic i ndustry i s p resent i n t he l ower h orizons c annot b e c ompletely r uled o ut, a s a pparently U pper P alaeolithic a rtifacts h ave b een r ecovered f rom t he s ite ( see L ejards 1 967). T housands o f a rtifacts h ave b een r ecovered f rom t he s ite, a nd i t i s n ow i mpossible t o d etermine t heir e xact n umber a s t he m aterial h as b een w idely s cattered i n v arious m useums t hroughout E urope, i ncluding c ollections i n C ambridge U niversity M useum a nd t he P itt R ivers M useum , O xford. T here i s a m ass o f k napping d ebris a nd m any r oughouts, i ndicating t he o n-site m anufacture o f i mplements; t he l imited u se o f p repared c ore t echniques i s s hown b y t he r ecovery o f a f ew t ypical d isc c ores a nd a f ew L evallois f lakes, f aceted f lake-butts b eing u nusual. M onnier ( 1982, 4 87) f ound a s imilar l ow u se o f t he L evalloisian t echnique a t C los-Rouge, K ervouster a nd L 'Arcouest. T he B ois-du-Rocher f lake t ools i nclude e ndscrapers a nd b urins, b ut n o r etouched c outeaux ä d os ( Callow q uoting G ruet i n l itt., 1 976, 5 .7). T hree c leavers r ecently r ecovered f rom t he s ite a s s urface f inds, t hough s aid t o b e " in a ssociation w ith" t ypical c ordiform b ifaces ( Monnier a nd T exier 1 977) r epresent t he m ost n ortherly f inds o f t his t ool-type i n B rittany. M onnier a nd E tienne ( 1978) h ave r ecently p ublished a d etailed s tatistical a nalysis o f 1 77 o f t he B ois-du-Rocher b ifaces, c onsidering b oth t he p lanform, a nd t he p lanform t ogether w ith c ertain p rofile m easurements. O n t he b asis o f t he r esults M onnier d ivides t he h andaxes i nto m ajor t ype g roups, i dentifying b oth " classic" M ousterian h andaxe f orms ( i.e. f orms l isted b y B ordes 1 961, 6 9-80), s uch a s o vates, c ordiforms, l imandes a nd d iscoids, a nd n ew c ategories i ncluding h exagonal, p entagonal a nd l ozenge-shaped g roups, a lthough i t s eems l ikely f rom t he p ublished d iagrams ( e.g. M onnier a nd E tienne 1 978, F igure 6 ) t hat a t l east s ome o f t hese g roups o f l ess t han t en b ifaces m ay n ot r epresent d eliberately p re-selected p lanforms, b ut o ccur a s a n atural r esult o f t he r ather d ifficult n ature o f t he a vailable r aw m aterial. C allow ( 1976, 5 .6) h as a lso s tudied a c ollection o f B ois-du-Rocher b ifaces a nd h as i dentified a mongst t he 5 8 b ifaces c ordates a nd d iscoidal h andaxes a s t he d ominant t ypes, w ith a f ew s ub-triangular f orms a nd t he o ccasional t riangular i mplement p resent. A ccording t o G ruet ( quoted i n C allow , o p. c it., 5 .7) t he s ite y ielded s everal f ragments o f f lat t riangular b ifaces, a nd i t i s p ossible t hat

1 29

t hese a re u nder-represented i n t he k nown s amples b ecause t hey w ere r emoved f rom t he s ite b y t heir m akers. T riangular b ifaces d o n ot f eature a s a p rominent g roup i n M onnier's a nalysis , a nd n one a re p resent i n t he B ois-du-Rocher c ollection o f t he P itt R ivers M useum , O xford. T he p resent w riter h as s tudied t his l ast m entioned c ollection i n d etail. U nfortunately, i t w as n ot p ossible t o r eplicate M onnier's s tatistical s hape a nalysis, a s t here w ere t oo f ew b ifaces a vailable f or s tudy ( only 4 0), b ut t he t ripartite s hape d iagram ( Table 9 a) c learly s hows a p reference f or b road n on-pointed s hapes, w ith a f ew m ore e longated s hapes p resent b ut n o t ruly t riangular i mplements a nd n o f icrons o r n arrow p ointed h andaxes. T he p rincipal m easurements f or t he 4 0 m easured P itt R ivers M useum B ois-du-Rocher b ifaces a re a s f ollows:

L ength B readth T hickness L1 B1 B2 T1

N o 4 0 4 0 4 0 4 0 4 0 4 0 4 0

M ean 7 3 .9 5 4.9 2 3.6 2 6.9 3 4.3 4 6.0 1 4.3

+ /1 6.6 1.6 5 .3 6 .9 8 .9 1.4 4 .7

Max 1 24 9 1 3 6 5 4 5 9 8 7 3 3

M in 5 7 4 2 1 3 1 7 2 0 3 5 9

L x 1 00 Li/ B /L x 1 00 B1/ B2 x 1 00

4 0 4 0 4 0

3 6 .4 7 4 .9 7 4.8

5 .9 7 .7 1.8

4 9 8 9 9 5

2 3 6 3 4 9

T /B x 1 00 T1/ B x 100

4 0 4 0

4 3.0 2 5.9

8 .4 6 .1

5 7 4 3

1 8 1

( mm) ( mm) ( mm) ( mm) ( mm) ( mm) ( mm)

T hese f igures c ompare c losely w ith t he v alues o btained b y C allow m easuring t he C ambridge s ample, w ith t he n ormal d istribution o f e ach v alue r evealing t he p resence o f o ne c omparatively l arge b iface ( Length 1 24mm), b ut n o d efinite s ub-grouping w hich c ould i ndicate a m ixed a ssemblage. C allow ( 1976, 5 .6) s tates t hat t he h andaxes a re f requently s omewhat t hick a nd u nrefined i n c ross-section, p ointing o ut t hat o nly 6 2% o f h is s tudied s ample w ould b e c lassed a s " thin" u sing B ordes' ( 1961) c lassification. H e t herefore s uggests t hat t he h andaxes m ay l ie t ypologically c loser t o b ifaces f rom t he c ave s ites o f t he P erigord t han t o n orth F rench M ousterian i mplements , a lthough h e a dmits t hat t he r aw m aterial u sed m ay b e a t l east i n p art r esponsible f or t he r elative t hickness. W hen c ompared w ith t he v alues g iven b y R oe ( 1967, T able 5 ) f or O ldbury ( 31 b ifaces: T /B x 1 00 4 0.8) a nd f or S hide ( 44 b ifaces: T /B x 1 00 4 3 .5) t he B ois-du-Rocher p ieces d o n ot s eem u nusually t hick , a lthough t he d ifferences i n r aw m aterial m ake i t d nvalid t o c ompare p rofiles i n d etail. I t a lso s eems l ikely t hat t he r aw m aterial i s r esponsible a t l east i n p art f or t he s omewhat r oughly w orked a ppearance o f t he h andaxes, s everal o f w hich a re b arely b ifacial. T he m ajority o f t he b ifaces s eem t o h ave b een m ade o n f lakes r ather t han n odules.

1 30

F IGURE 5 .2 B OIS-DU-ROCHER : B IFACES A PPROACHING T HE B OUT C OUPE F ORM

( a )

( d)

( c)

( e )

( f )

1 31

G iven t he u nusual n ature o f t he r aw m aterial i t i s d ifficult t o d etermine w hether o r n ot t here a re t rue b out c oupgs p resent a s a n i ntegral p art o f t he B ois-du-Rocher a ssemblage. R oe, w ho h as b een a ble t o e xamine p art o f t he P itt R ivers c ollection b ut w ho h as n ever c onducted a d etailed a nalysis o f t he m aterial, s uggests t hat t here a re. C allow , w ho h as s tudied t he C ambridge i mplements, d oes n ot m ention a ny s uch b ifaces i n t he B ois-du-Rocher c ollections a lthough h e d oes r ecord b out c oupe b ifaces a t o ther F rench s ites. T he p resent w riter f eels t hat w hile t here a re n o c lassic b out c oupg b ifaces t here a re c ertainly s ome h andaxes w hich a pproach t his f orm i n t he P itt R ivers c ollection ( see F igure 5 .2), i ncluding a t l east o ne h andaxe w ith " angles" a t t he b ase, a nd s everal i mplements w ith o ne d efinite " angle" a nd o ne m ore r ounded c orner. B ois-du-Rocher t herefore s eems w orthy o f i nterest a s ap ossible e arly W irmian s ite w ith l ittle e vidence f or t he u se o f p repared c ore f laking t echniques, b ut w ith a r ange o f b ifaces w hich, a llowing f or t he r aw m aterial, r esemble q uite c losely t he a ssemblages r ecovered f rom s ome o f t he B ritish M ousterian s ites, a nd w ith a f ew b ifaces a pproaching, e ither d eliberately o r a ccidentally, t he B ritish b out c oupe t ype. T he c laimed p resence o f t riangular b ifaces a nd o f a f ew c leavers , n either o f w hich a re u sually f ound i n a ssociation w ith B ritish M ousterian m aterial, i s w orthy o f n ote.

1 32

a l»

1 33 F IGURE 5 .3:

I N C HAPTER 5 B ordes 1 954,

T HE D ISTRIBUTION O F T HE P RINCIPAL S EINE B ASIN S ITES D ISCUSSED

( B) B ihorel,

R ouen,

S eine-Maritime

T he m ain B ihorel c ollections a re n ow h oused i n t he L aboratoire d e P rehistoire, B ordeaux, t he I nstitut d e P aleontologie H umaine, P aris, t he M us e d e l 'Homme, P aris, a nd R ouen M useum . T he g eology a nd s tratigraphy o f t he t wo B ihorel b rick p its h ave b een d iscussed i n d etail b y B ordes ( 1954, 1 93-201) w ho g ives t he f ollowing s ection f or t he m ost c omplete c oupe, c oupe 5 : 1T erre a b riques, l ehm r ougeätre, 1 .20m IF aible c ailloutis 2L imon j aune s ableux, 0 .50m I C ailloutis I 3L imon a vec z ones l enticulaires, 0 .30m II C ailloutis d iffus I 4 F aible l ehm ? 5 L oess c lair, l m e n t out I V C ailloutis d e g ravillons 6L imon r ougeätre f endille, a vec q uelques c ailloux l a b ase, l m 7L imon j aune f in, 1 .50m V C ailloutis d e g ranules n oir m anganesiferes 8T erre r ouge a rgileuse, a vec s ilex e clates e t g ros s ilex i ntacts, p lus b as: b ief ä s ilex e t a rgile ä s ilex. D e 1 .50m a p lusiers m etres d 'apres l es o uvriers 9 C raie d ecomposge, 2 m 1 0 C raie B ordes i nterpreted t he l imon j aune [ 7] a s t he o lder l oess, a nd t he l imon r ouge [ 6] a s a ( Last I nterglacial?) w eathering o f t he o lder l oess b eneath ( Callow 1 976, 5 .5). A ll t he P alaeoliths r ecovered f rom t he p it w hich h ave -d etails o f t heir p rovenance a re s imply m arked " limon r ouge"; i t s eems t hat t he m ajority c ame f rom t he j unction o f t he l imon r ouge a nd t he r ecent l oess ( Bordes 1 954, 1 98). T herefore t he a rtifacts c an b e l oosely d ated t o b etween t he R iss/Würm i nterglacial a nd t he e arly F inal G laciation: t his a ssumes t hat t hey a re c ontemporary w ith t he c ontext i n w hich t hey o ccurred. B ihorel h as y ielded a l arge s eries o f P alaeolithic i mplements w hich h ave b een s tudied b y b oth B ordes ( op. c it.) a nd C allow ( op. c it.). B ordes d ivided t he a rtifacts i nto f our s eries o n t he b asis o f t heir c ondition a nd w eathering, a lthough h e a dmitted t hat h is m ethod w as n ot p articularly p recise: " nous a vons s ouvent h esite p our l a s erie I V" ( 1954, 2 00). T he g roups w ere a s f ollows: I : I I:

L ustrous w eathered p ieces w ith a w hite-red s tained p atina L ustrous i mplements w ith l ittle d amage, p atina r anging " marbled" b lue t o b lue-white o r r ed-white

f rom

I II: A rtifacts w ith l ittle p atina a nd l ittle l ustre I V: W hite o r b lue p atinated p ieces w ith s light l ustre, o ccasional m echanical d amage, f requent f rost d amage a nd t races o f l imon r ouge

1 34

H owever, C allow f ound i t i mpossible t o d istinguish m ore t han t wo a rtifact c lasses , w ith p atination b eing t he m ost u seful g uide t o t he g roups. T his d ivision i s u sed h ere, a s i t i s v ery d ifficult t o d ivide t he m aterial a ccurately i nto s maller g roups o n t he b asis o f a q uality a s d ifficult t o d efine p recisely a s " condition" w hen t here i s n o p ossibility o f e xamining t he w hole a ssemblage a t t he s ame t ime. C allow 's G roup 1 c onsists o f a rtifacts p atinated w hite-cream , w hile G roup 2 h as a rtifacts r anging f rom u npatinated t o g rey o r b lue. T hese t wo g roups s how d istinct m orphological a nd t echnological d ifferences, t he w hite s eries b eing a pparently A cheulian, t he b lue s eries M ousterian . I t i s t he b lue s eries w hich i s c onsidered h ere. T he b lue s eries i ncludes a t l east 2 9 b ifaces, w ith s everal c ordiforms, s ub-cordiforms a nd s ub-lanceolates a nd a f ew c hoppers. H owever, t here a re a lso a t l east t wo b lue-patinated e longated p ointed-pyriform b ifaces, c lassed b y B ordes a s " Micoquian". T hese b ifaces h ave o ccasional t races o f l imon j aune a dhering, a nd i t i s p ossible t hat t his w as s meared o nto t he h andaxes b y t he p it w orkmen w ho r ealised t hat c ollectors w ould p ay m ore f or a p iece r ecovered f rom s tratigraphically l ower l evels ( Bordes 1 954, 2 05). I t m ay w ell b e t hat t he p ieces w ere o riginally r ecovered f rom t he l imon r ouge w hich s eems t o h ave y ielded t he r emaining b lue s eries i mplements ; a lternatively, t he h andaxes m ay h ave c ome f rom a p ocket o f l imon j aune w ithin t he r ecent l oess ( Callow , o p. c it.). T he p ersistence o f t ypologically L ate A cheulian " Micoquian" b ifaces ( Bordes 1 961, 6 9) w ithin n orthern F rench M TA a ssemblages r ecovered f rom t he b ase o f t he r ecent l oess h as f requently b een c ommented u pon ( e.g. B ordes 1 954 , 2 06, 4 40-1; M ellars 1 969, 1 48; S omme a nd T uffreau 1 971; T uffreau 1 977, 2 8). T he f lake m aterial f rom t he b lue s eries i ncludes a t l east 9 0 t ypical L evallois f lakes ( 74 n on-Levallois f lakes) a nd f lake-tools i ncluding s idescrapers a nd b acked k nives ; c onsult B ordes ( 1954 , 2 03) f or a f ull t ypological l ist o f t he r ecovered a rtifacts. T he p resent w riter h as e xamined t he B ihorel c ollections o f t he I nstitut d e P aleontologie H umaine, t he M usse d e l 'Homme a nd R ouen M useum . T he p rincipal v alues f or 2 1 m easured b lue s eries b ifaces ( excluding t he t wo p ointed i mplements) a re a s f ollows :

B1 T 12

N o 1 8 2 1 2 1 1 9 1 7 1 7 1 8

M ean 9 9 7 3 2 6 3 0 4 4 6 3 1 2

+ /2 0.0 1 4.7 5 .4 9 .9 9 .0 1 3.0 2 .1

Max 1 36 1 02 3 6 4 9 6 0 9 3 1 6

Lin , x 1 00 B /L x 1 00 B1/ B2 x 1 00

1 8 1 8 1 6

3 0 7 1 7 0

9 .9 4 .6 1 0.8

4 2 7 8 8 6

1 6 6 3 4 6

T /B x 1 00 T1/ B x 100

2 1 1 8

3 5 1 7

7 .1 4 .4

4 6 2 6

1 9 9

L ength B readth T hickness Bi

1 35

M in 5 9 4 3 1 7 1 7 2 6 3 7 8

( mm) ( mm) ( mm) ( mm) ( mm) (mm) ( mm)

T he t ripartite s hape d iagram ( Table 9 b), w hich i s o f r estricted v alue d ue t o t he s mall n umber o f a vailable b ifaces, m erely c onfirms t he d ominance o f s ub-cordate a nd s lightly e longated b road f orms; u nfortunately t he i ncomplete a nd p ossibly m ixed n ature o f t he a vailable a ssemblage p revented a ny m ore d etailed s tatistical s tudy o f t he b ifaces. A t l east f ive o f t he b lue s eries b ifaces ( some i llustrated a s F igure 5 .4b-d) a pproach t he s traight-butted b iface t ype, a lthough a s t hey l ack t he r equired d egree o f r efinement a nd p lanform-shape t hey c annot b e c onsidered t o b e t rue b out c oup s. A t ypical b out c oupe b iface , v ery s imilar t o i mplements f ound i n B ritain, w as h owever f ound i n t he B ihorel c ollections o f R ouen M useum , a nd t his i mplement i s r ecorded b elow , t ogether w ith t he o ne r efined-triangular b iface: F igure 5 .4a R ouen M useum B ihorel c ollection, d isplay c ase L 1 09mm, B 7 3mm , T 2 3mm . Aw ell-made b out c oupe h andaxe w hich h as b een b roken i n h alf b ut r epaired. T here h as a lso b een s ome s light m echanical d amage t o t he e dges o f t he p iece. T he i mplement h as t he t ypical s traight-butted o utline-shape, w ith t wo c lear a ngles a t t he i ntersection o f t he b utt w ith t he s ides, a nd i s f ully a nd e legantly w orked, w ith n o r esidual p atches o f c ortex a nd t wo t ranchet s cars a t t he t ip, o ne o n e ach f ace. I n p rofile t he h andaxe i s s lightly p iano-convex, b ut i s n ot t wisted. I t i s m ade f rom a g rey f lint, a nd h as a d eveloping p atchy w hite " basket-work" p atina o n b oth f aces. F igure 5 .4e K elley t eaching c ollection ( D.38.23.7336), M us e d e l 'Homme, P aris L 1 24mm , B 8 5mm , T 2 2mm. T his i mplement i s a lmost t he l ongest h andaxe i n t he b lue s eries, a nd i s e xtremely r efined. I t i s aw ell-made s traight-sided t riangular b iface m ade o n a f lat f lake o f g rey f lint, r esembling i n p lanform a nd g eneral w orkmanship s ome o f t he L e T illet " coffee s eries" t riangular i mplements f igured b y B ordes ( 1954, F igure 1 69.4). T he c utting-edge r uns c ompletely r ound t he i mplement, a nd i s s traight. T here a re d elicate f lake r emovals o n b oth f aces a nd, w ith t he e xception o f o ne s mall p atch o f c ortex o n t he b utt, t he h andaxe i s f ully w orked. T here i s o ne t ranchet s car o n t he t ip. A fter a n e xamination o f t he a vailable B ihorel m aterial i n t he P aris a nd R ouen c ollections i t w as c oncluded t hat a t l east o ne b out c oupe b iface, v ery s imilar t o t he B ritish b out c oupe b ifaces d escribed i n C hapter 3 , w as p resent i n t he c ollection, w ith a f urther f ive i mplements a pproaching t his f orm . T hese h andaxes f orm p art o f a M ousterian a ssemblage w hich i ncludes c ordate a nd s ub-cordate b ifaces, a w ell-made t riangular h andaxe, L evalloisian f lakes a nd f lake t ools, a nd n on-Levallois m aterial. U nfortunately t he u nsatisfactory s tatus o f t he B ihorel m aterial, r esulting a t l east i n p art f rom t he u nscientific e xcavation a t t he p its a nd a lso f rom t he d ispersed n ature o f t he c ollections, m akes i t i mpossible t o s tate w hether t here w as o riginally o ne M ousterian s eries, o r m ore. S imilarly, t he r elationship o f t he M ousterian a rtifacts t o t he w hite A cheulian s eries c annot n ow b e e stablished; t he p resence o f t wo a pparently l ate A cheulian f orms i n t he " blue s eries" s hould b e n oted.

1 36

F IGURE 5 .4 B IHOREL : B IFACES

( b) ( a)

( c)

( e) 1 37

( C) L a M are-aux-Clercs,

L e H avre,

S eine-Maritime

T he L a M are-aux-Clercs b rickpits w ere w orked t owards t he e nd o f t he l ast c entury a nd a re n ow c ompletely b uilt o ver. U nfortunately t here h as n ever b een a f ull p ublication o f t he p its, a nd t he b est r ecord o f b oth t he s ections a nd t he r ecovered a rtifacts i s t he u npublished D ubus m anuscript h oused i n t he M usge d e l 'Homme, P aris ( see T yldesley 1 985; 1 986 f or a s ummary o f t his i nformation). T he p its y ielded m any t ypologically l ate A cheulian a nd M ousterian a rtifacts b ut t here w as c lear m ixing o f t he m aterial a nd n o f aunal o r d ating e vidence w as c ollected. T he D ubus c ollection i ncludes t he t wo b out c oupe b ifaces d escribed b elow : F igure 5 .5a T his b iface w as r eportedly r ecovered f rom L ayer A 4, a " limon j aune d 'ocre" f rom t he e ast s ide o f t he T hirel b rickpit, w hich y ielded 1 1 h andaxes: f ive s ymmetrical w ell-made p ointed p yriforms, o ne c leaver, t hree a mygdaloids, o ne c ordiform , a nd t he i mplement d escribed b elow. L 1 26mm , B8 6mm , T 2 9mm. T he b iface i s r ecorded i n t he D ubus m anuscript a s " creme b lanche j auneAtre: a mygdaloid 4 t endance t riangulair". I t i s a t ypical b out c oupe w ith t wo a ngles a t t he i ntersection o f t he b ase w ith t he s ides ( one a ngle b eing s lightly o bscured b y d amage), s ymmetrical s ides a nd a w ell-rounded t ip. I t h as b een c arefully k napped, w ith d elicate s oft-hammer f lake r emovals a nd o ne t ranchet s car o n e ach f ace o f t he t ip. T here a re n o u nworked a reas, a nd n o r esidual c ortex. T he h andaxe i s s lightly w orn w ith s light m echanical d amage, a nd h as a t hick w hite p atina o n b oth f aces; t his i s i n m arked c ontrast t o t he r emaining m aterial f rom t his l ayer w hich i s w orn b ut l ess p atinated. T he p robability o f m ixing b etween t he s pecified l ayers o f t he D ubus c ollection . has a lready b een s uggested; t he c lear d ifferences i n p atination a nd c ondition b etween t his i mplement a nd t he r emaining p ieces f rom h orizon A 4, w hich a ll s eem o n t ypological g rounds t o b e L ate A cheulian o r e arlier, l ends c ircumstantial s upport t o t his a rgument. A s h as a lready b een n oted, i t i s n ot u nknown f or n orthern F rench e arly W ürmian M ousterian s ites t o y ield a f ew t ypologically e arlier b ifaces, b ut i f t he L a M are-aux-Clercs m aterial h as b een c orrectly p rovenanced t here s eems t o b e a n u nprecedented r eversal o f t his s ituation. F igure 5 .5b T he h andaxe i s m arked " 10393 3 m ars 1 906", b ut w as f ound b y t he p resent w riter i n a b ox m arked " possibly" L a M are-aux-Clercs. I t i s n ot r ecorded i n t he D ubus r egister, a nd i t i s b y n o m eans c ertain t hat i t o riginally c ame f rom t he s ite. L 1 02mm , B 8 0mm , T 2 5mm. A b out c oupe b iface, v ery s imilar i n f orm t o t he i mplement d escribed f lint, a nd h as t races o f a a bove. I t i s m ade f rom a l ustrous g rey here h as b een m echanical d amage d eveloping w hite p atina o n b oth f aces. T T he h andaxe h as t he t ypical t o b oth t he t ip a nd t he e dges. ell m ade a lthough t here i s a s traight-butted p lanform-shape a nd i s w entre o f o ne f ace. T here i s n o s mall p atch o f r esidual c ortex o n t he c mpossible t o s tate w hether t here t wist t o t he p rofile; d amage m akes i t i w ere t ranchet s cars o n t he t ip.

1 38

F IGURE 5 .5

L A M ARE-AUX-CLERCS:

B IFACES

1 39

( D) M esnil-Esnard, n ear R ouen,

S eine-Maritime

T he m ain c ollections a re n ow h oused i n t he L aboratoire d e P rehistoire, B ordeaux, t he I nstitut d e P aleontologie H umaine, P aris, t he M us e d e l 'Homme, P aris, a nd R ouen M useum . T wo p its a t M esnil-Esnard h ave y ielded p alaeoliths, a nd h ave b een d escribed i n d etail b y B ordes ( 1954, 2 15-220). U nfortunately, i nformation a bout t he p recise p rovenance o f t he r ecovered m aterial i s s omewhat l imited. T he L efebvre p it, s ituated t o t he r ight o f t he m ain R ouen/Mesnil-Esnard r oad, i s n ow a bandoned. B ordes ( 1954, 2 15), q uoting C outil ( 1893), r ecords t hat t owards t he e nd o f t he n ineteenth c entury B ucaille r ecovered t wo s eries o f i mplements f rom t his p it: a g roup i ncluding s ub-triangular h andaxes w hich c ame f rom a d epth o f b etween f ive a nd s ix m etres, a nd w hich w as i dentified b y B ordes a s b elonging t o t he M TA, a nd a s eries r ecovered f rom a s lightly d eeper l evel w hich h e a ttributed t o t he L ate A cheulian. T he D oigt p it i s am uch l arger a nd c ommercially m ore i mportant p it, s ituated b y t he m ain M esnil-Esnard/Paris r oad. B ordes ( op. c it., 2 18) g ives t he f ollowing s ection, w hich w as r ecorded b y B reuil a t a n u nknown d ate, a nd w hich i s n ow o n d isplay i n R ouen M useum: 1T erre ä b riques 2 L imon a vec P aleolithique s uperieur 3C ailloutis 4 L imon s ableux b lanc 5C ailloutis a vec L evalloisien V II 6 L oess b lanc 7C ailloutis a vec L evalloisien V I 8 L oess a p oupees 9 C ailloutis a vec L evalloisien V 1 0 F endille iveau A cheuleen V I-VII 1 N 1 2 L oess a ncien, p lus p lastique, 1 .50m U nfortunately, t he D oigt p it w as e xcavated w ith a m echanical d redger w hich p roduced f ew e xaminable s ections, c aused d amage a nd m ixing t o t he r ecovered f auna a nd a rtifacts, a nd r esulted i n a l ack o f p recise s tratigraphic p rovenances f or t he m aterial. B ordes ( 1954, 2 20) r ecords t he f inding o f o ne L ate A cheulian b iface a nd t wo s mall M ousterian s eries o f a rtifacts, a " serie l ustr e c oncassee" ( including a n a typical e ndscraper, s idescrapers i ncluding a t l east o ne m ade o n a L evalloisian f lake, a nd c ordiform o r i rregular b ifaces), a nd a " gerie i ntacte" w ith w ell-made p ieces i ncluding a d ouble s idescraper a nd a b acked k nife. H e d oes n ot g ive e xact n umbers f or e ither s eries. C allow ( 1976, 5 .32) s uggests t hat t he m aterial c an b e d ivided i nto a t l east t wo i ndustries o n t he g rounds o f p atina: a " white s eries" c haracterised b y aw hitish p atination a nd o ccasional t races o f a d eep r ed-orange m atrix, a nd a " blue s eries" w ith b lue a nd w hite v ermiculations a nd a l ighter, m ore b uff m atrix. T he w hite s eries c ontains a h igh p ercentage o f t ypologically L ate A cheulian l anceolate a nd a mygdaloid b ifaces w hile t he b lue s eries i s d ominated b y t riangular, s ub-triangular a nd c ordiform b ifaces ( more t ypically M TA).

1 40

F IGURE 5 .6 M ESNIL-ESNARD : B IFACES A PPROACHING T HE B OUT C OUPE F ORM

( a)

( b)

MI M I

( c)

( d)

( e)

1 41

MO M

T he p resent w riter h as e xamined a ll t he M esnil-Esnard m aterial i n t he I nstitut d e P aleontologie H umaine, t he M us e d e l 'Homme, a nd R ouen M useum . F ollowing C allow 's s uggested d ivision o f t he m aterial b y p atination, a nd c onsidering t he g eneral i mplement t ypology ( after B ordes 1 961) i t w as p ossible t o s eparate o ut a s eries o f 2 1 a pparently M ousterian b ifaces, a lthough t he d ifferences i n p atination w ere n ot a lways q uite a s c lear a s C allow i mplies, n or d id t he t ypological d ivision n ecessarily a gree w ith t he p atination d ivision a s, f or e xample, s ome o f t he m ore c ordiform b ifaces h ad a w hite p atina o n b oth f aces. O f t he 2 1 M ousterian h andaxes o ne b iface, i n t he K elley c ollections o f t he M usee d e l 'Homme, w as a t ypical b out c oupe: F igure 5 .6a M usge d e l 'Homme, K elley C ollection ( 38.23.31798) L9 5mm , B 7 1mm, T 2 2mm . Aw hite p atinated h andaxe w ith t wo c lear a ngles a t t he i ntersection o f t he s ides w ith t he b utt. T he i mplement i s w ell m ade a nd r efined w ith n o r esidual c ortex, a nd h as s hallow s oft-hammer f lake r emovals o n b oth f aces, w ith o ne t ranchet s car o n t he t ip. T he c utting-edge r uns c ompletely r ound t he c ircumference o f t he p iece a nd i s s traight. T he i mplement h as b een s lightly w eathered a nd a braded. F our o ther h andaxes ( Figure 5 .6b-e) c losely a pproach t his f orm ; i n p atination t hese b ifaces r ange f rom b luish o r o nly s lightly p atinated t o w hite. T he r emaining h andaxes w ere c ordiform , s ub-cordiform a nd s ub-triangular t ypes, w ith t he p resence o f t hree ( including o ne c ast) v ery w ell-made r efined-triangular h andaxes ( Figure 5 .7a-c) o f t he t ype i dentified b y B ordes ( 1961, 7 0) a s o ccurring i n t he l imited t ime s pan b etween t he F inal A cheulian a nd t he e nd o f t he e arly M TA . C allow , w ho h ad t he o pportunity t o e xamine t he r emaining h alf d ozen M esnil-Esnard h andaxes i n B ordeaux, h as s een a f urther t wo t riangular b ifaces f rom t he s ite ( 1985, p ers. c omm.). O nce a gain, t he u nfortunate c ircumstances o f t he c ollection a nd d ispersal o f t his m aterial m ake i t d ifficult t o d etermine w hether b oth t he b out c oupe a nd t he r efined-triangular h andaxes f ormed a n i ntegral p art o f t he t ypologically M TA a ssemblage, o r i ndeed i f t here i s m ore t han o ne a ssemblage p resent. H owever, t he p resence o f b oth t hese d istinctive b iface f orms, p erhaps i ndicative o f a c hronological l ink, i s w orthy o f n ote a s n o B ritish b out c oupe h as b een f ound i n a ssociation w ith a r efined-triangular h andaxe ( perhaps d ue t o t he v irtual a bsence o f t he l atter f rom B ritain); i t d oes s uggest t hat t he t wo b iface f orms a re n ot m utually e xclusive.

1 42

F IGURE 5 .7 M ESNIL-ESNARD : R EFINED-TRIANGULAR B IFACES

.. . . . .

. . . .. . 1 ...

( a)

( b)

( c ) 1 43

( E) L e T illet,

n ear F erte-sous-Jouarre,

S eine-Maritime

T he m ain L e T illet c ollections a re n ow h oused i n t he L aboratoire d e P rehistoire, B ordeaux, t he I nstitut d e P alg ontologie H umaine, P aris, a nd t he M usge A lfred B onno, C helles. L e T illet h as b ecome o ne o f t he b etter-known n orthern F rench P alaeolithic s ites, a nd t he " cafe a u l ait" s eries o f i mplements h as b een f requently c ited b y B ritish a rchaeologists a s a t ypical n orthern F rench M TA a ssemblage w hich i ncludes b out c oupe like b ifaces ( see f or e xample D .M. C ollins i n C ollins a nd C ollins 1 970, 1 59; S hackley 1 977, 37; R oe 1 981, 2 36). H owever, L e T illet h as n ot a ctually p roduced a 3 v ast n umber o f a rtifacts a nd, a s C allow s tates, i t s eems t hat t he m ain v alue o f t he s ite l ies i n i ts s tratigraphy a nd c lear s equence o f i ndustries ( Callow 1 977, 5 .43). T he a rchaeology o f t he s ite w as f irst s tudied i n 1 911 b y d e G ivenchy, w ho d id n ot r ecord a c omplete o r d etailed s tratigraphy. B ordes ( 1954, 3 57-388) h as s ince g iven a c lear a ccount o f b oth t he s tratigraphy a nd t he i ndustries o f t he s ite a nd, a lthough b oth I nizan ( 1971) a nd C allow ( 1976, 5 .43-4) h ave r e-examined t he m aterial, B ordes' w ork s till f orms t he m ajor r eference f or t he s ite. B ordes ( op. c it., 3 57) r ecords t he f ollowing s ection: A . 1 2 3 I I

4 II I

I II

6

g radin 1

L imon b run, 1 .5-2m L imon r oux ä r ougeätre, f endillg, 1 .6-2m L imon j aune b run, p arfois l ggerement p anache v ers s a b ase, 1 .5m L it d e c oncretions m angad esiferes n oires, e n o rdre l ache ( probablement l e c ailloutis d e b ase d u l imon 3 ), e mballges d ans u n l imon j aune, 0 .2m L imon p anache, r ouge e t g ris, 0 .4-0.8m L it -d e c oncretion n oires, s errges, v isible ä g auche s ur 0 .6m

B . 4 5

C oupe S ud Nord,

C oupe S ud Nord,

g radin 2

L imon p anachg, r ouge e t g ris, 0 .75m e n m oyenne L imon g ris c lair, v iolace p ar p laces, p anache d e r oux, t res a rgileux, 0 .4-0.3m G rosse l entille d e c oncretions a rrondies f erro-mangangsiennes, d e t aille v ariable ( 0.5m m ax), n oyges d ans u n l imon a rgileux ( limon 5 ?) L imon a rgileux r oux o u r oussätre, m ais p as r ouge, p anache d e g ris, v isible s ur 1 .25m m aximum s ur c ette c oupe. D ans l a f osse p rofonde c reusge d ans l 'angle ' Nord-Est d e l a c arriere p our d es e xtractions d e m euliere o n p eut v oir l e s ubstratum t ertiaire: s ous l e l imon 6 s e p lacent u n m elange d e l imon e t d e m euliere f ragmentge p uis l a m euliere e n p lace.

H e i nterpreted t he l imon 2 a s t he l oess a ncien, l imon 3 a s a ncient l oess d ated p robably t o t he R iss g laciation, a nd l imon 1 a s t he y ounger ( early W ürm) l oess. T hree s eries o f a rtifacts f rom t he p it w ere d istinguished b y B ordes ( 1954, 3 61) o n t he b asis o f p atination, e xcluding a ll t he o bviously

1 44

U pper P alaeolithic a nd N eolithic e lements. A s t hese d ivisions h ave b een c losely f ollowed b y a ll l ater w orkers ( e.g. C allow 1 976 5 .43-4) B ordes' d efinitions f or e ach g roup a re q uoted i n t he o riginal F rench b elow :

A . W hite s eries P ieces g p atine b lanche: l a p atine v an e d u b lanc p ur l ustre b lanc r ougegtre, o u a u " cafe a u l ait" l ustre o u v oile. ( Bordes 1 954, 3 61)

a u

T hese i mplements s eem t o f orm o ne g roup ( Bordes 1 954, 3 61-3), p robably a ll b elonging t o t he b ase o f t he l imon 3 , d ated t o t he R iss g laciation. A s t he a rtifacts, i n p articular t he w aste p roducts a nd t he f lake t ools, a ppear t ypologically c lose t o t he M ousterian, B ordes s uggested t hat t he l imon 3 c ould b e d ated t o " Riss I I" ( while p erceived t ypology w as a n a cceptable d ating p rocedure i n 1 954, i t i s l ess s o n ow). H e g ives a d etailed t ypological l ist o f t he 1 30 k nown a rtifacts w hich i nclude a h igh n umber o f L evallois f lakes a nd r etouched f lakes b ut f ew u nretouched n on-Levallois f lakes ( almost c ertainly a r esult o f s elective c ollecting), a nd 2 2 b ifaces i ncluding o ne M icoquian, f ive e longated c ordiforms a nd t wo c ordiforms b ut n o t riangular o r s ub-triangular p ieces, a nd n o l anceolates. B ordes ( 1954, 3 83) g ives t he f ollowing s ummary o f t he w hite s eries: T echnique: l evalloisienne ( debitage L evallois) T ypologie d e l 'outillage s ur e clat: M TA d e f acies l evalloisienne. T ypologie d es b ifaces: A cheuleen f ranc. D iagnose p ropos e: A cheuleen s uperieur d e f acies L evallois.

B . G rey , s eries P ieces ä p atine g rise: l a p atine v a d u g ris a u a u n oir v oile. E lles s ont r arement l ustrees. ( Bordes 1 954, 3 61)

b leute,

p arfois

T here i s n o c lear s tratigraphic i nformation a vailable f or t his s eries, a lthough a s a f ew o f t he p ieces h ave t races o f a l imon r ouge m atrix ( Callow 1 976, 5 .44) t hey m ay p erhaps h ave c ome f rom l ayer 2 ( limon f endille). T here a re f ewer ( 97) a rtifacts, w ith o nly 1 3 b ifaces a nd b ifacially w orked f ragments, a nd a gain t here i s a f requent u se o f t he L evallois t echnique. B ordes ( 1954, 3 83) r egarded t he s eries a s f alling t ypologically b etween t he o ther t wo L e T illet s eries: D ebitage: L evallois O utillage s ur e clats: M TA d e f acies l evalloisien T ypologie d es b ifaces: i ntermediaire D iagnose p ropos e : A cheuleen s uperieur d e f acies L evallois t out ä f ait f inal, o u M TA a ncien d e f acies L evallois.

C . C offee ( cafe a u l ait) s eries T he p atination o f t his i mplement g roup h as

1 45

b een

d escribed

b y

B ordes

( 1954,

3 61) a s f ollows:

P iä 'ces ä p atine c afe a u l ait, p lus o u m om s f once, p atine, a yant a lors l a c ouleur b rune o u r ouge d u s ilex N on l ustrees.

o u s ans m eulier.

I t s eems f airly c lear t hat t he i ndustry w as f ound i n s itu a t t he b ase o f t he r ecent ( early W ürm) l oess, l ying o n a s light c ailloutis. D .M . C ollins ( in C ollins a nd C ollins 1 970 , 1 70) s uggests a d ate o f c . 7 5,000 B C f or t he i ndustry. B ordes ( 1954, 3 74) l ists a ll t he r ecovered a rtifacts w ith t he c offee p atination; t hese a gain s how a h igh i ncidence o f t he L evallois t echnique ( including 7 0 t ypical L evallois f lakes), a nd f ifteen b ifaces ( 1 l anceolate, 3 t riangular, 2 e longated c ordiforms, 3 c ordiforms, 2 s ub-cordiforms, 1 d iscoid, 3 o thers. H e c oncludes t hat t he c offee s eries s hould b e s ummarised a s: D ebitage: L evallois O utillage s ur e clat: M TA d e f acies l evalloisien T ypologie d es b ifaces: M TA f ranc D iagnose p ropos e: M TA d e f acies L evallois I t h as b een s uggested ( e.g. C ollins a nd C ollins 1 970 , 1 72; S hackley 1 977, 3 37) t hat t he L e T illet c offee s eries c ontains f airly w ell-dated h andaxes w hich c losely a pproach t he B ritish b out c oupe b iface f orm . H owever, a lthough i t h as p roved p ossible f or t he w riter t o s tudy t he s mall L e T illet c ollection o f t he I nstitut d e P aleontologie H umaine, P aris, t he m ain b ody o f m aterial h oused i n t he M us e A lfred B onno, C helles, h as n ot b een a vailable f or e xamination. P aul C allow h as k indly s upplied t he p resent a uthor w ith a s eries o f o utline-drawings a nd p hotographs o f s ome o f t he h andaxes. I t s eems h ighly l ikely t hat t here a re i ndeed s traight-butted b out c oupe like p ieces w ithin t he L e T illet m aterial, a nd t here i s a lso a n i mportant e lement o f f lat o r s lightly p iano-convex w ell-made t riangular h andaxes c losely a pproaching t he o utline-shape o f t hose i llustrated b y B ordes ( 1961, P l. 5 6-59). T he s mall L e T illet c ollection i n t he I nstitut d e P aleontologie H umaine c ontains o nly o ne c afe a u l ait b iface a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm ( Bordes 1 954, F igure 1 70.3); a w eathered a nd a braded h andaxe w ith a l ight w hite p atina, a nd t wo a ngles a t t he i ntersection o f t he b ase w ith t he s ides. N one o f t he o ther h andaxes i llustrated b y B ordes ( 1954; i llustrations b ased a lmost e ntirely o n i mplements i n t he c ollections o f t he I nstitut d e P aleontologie H umaine) r esembles t his t ype, a nd n o t riangular b ifaces a re s hown.

1 46

( F) F urther f inds o f F rench b out c oupe b ifaces I t i s c lear t hat F rench a rchaeologists u sed t o t he B ordes ( 1961) i mplement t ypology h ave s ome d ifficulty i n r ecognising t he b out c oupe h andaxe-type a s a s pecial c lass. T herefore, e ven i f a b out c oupe b iface w ere p resent i n a F rench a ssemblage i t w ould m ost p robably b e c lassified a s s ub-cordate o r s ub-triangular. I t i s h oped t hat t he p ublication o f t his m onograph w ill e ncourage r ecognition o f t his t ype i n F rance, b oth w ithin a ssemblages a nd a s i solated f inds. T he f ollowing f inds o f b out c oupe o r b out c oupe like h andaxes s trongly s uggest t hat m ore s tray a nd u nrecorded e xamples r emain t o b e i dentified i n F rench m useums a nd p rivate c ollections. E vidence f rom B ritain, w here b out c oupes a re a lmost a lways f ound a s s tray f inds ( so m uch s o t hat t hey g ive t he i mpression o f t ools w hich w ere n ot i ntended a s p art o f a l arger t ool-kit), c onfirms t his i mpression. U nfortunately i t w as n ot p ossible f or t he p resent w riter t o c onduct a n e xamination o f t he c ollections o f e very m useum i n n orthern F rance, a nd s o t he t rue n umber o f t hese i solated p ieces i s a s y et u nknown. 1 . P ont-Audemer, E ure T here i s o ne b iface f rom t his s ite i n R ouen M useum w hich a pproaches t he b out c oupe f orm , a lthough t he a ngles a t t he b ase a re n ot a s p ronounced a s i s u sual. T he h andaxe i s m ade f rom a d ark f lint w ith a d eveloping d endritic w hite p atina: A cheulian m aterial f rom t his a rea h as a h eavy w hite p atina, a nd i s c learly d ifferent. 2 . B oisguillaume, n ear R ouen, S eine-Maritime R ouen M useum h as o ne b out c oupe like b ut s omewhat t hick u nrefined i mplement, r ecorded a s c oming f rom t he L eger p it w ith n o f urther d etails o f s tratigraphic p rovenance.

a nd b ut

3 . M ont S aint-Aignan, n ear R ouen, S eine-Maritime T he M aterial f rom t his s ite v aries f rom a h eavily w hite p atinated A cheulian p ointed-pyriform h andaxe g roup t o N eolithic f lintwork a nd p ottery. T he d isplay c ase i n R ouen M useum i ncludes o ne s eries d escribed a s " Mousterian" w hich a re u npatinated o r h ave a s light d endritic " basket-work" p atination. T wo h andaxes i n t his g roup, w hile n ot b eing c lassic b out c oupe i mplements, c ertainly a pproach t he t ypical f orm , h aving a ngled b utts a nd r ounded t ips. N o d etails o f t heir d iscovery o r p recise p rovenance w ere a vailable, B ordes ( 1954, 20) m entions t hat t here w ere o riginally t wo p its a t M ont 2 S aint-Aignan, w hich a re n ow b oth d isused a nd o vergrown. H e d oes n ot m ention t he r ecovery o f p alaeoliths f rom e ither p it. 4 . S aint-Saens, S eine-Maritime S aint-Saens i s s ituated o n t he R ive V arenne. R ouen M useum h as o ne h andaxe f rom t he r egion, m arked " briqueterie d u P uchevit" b ut w ith n o f urther d etails o f p rovenance. I t i s a b orderline b out c oupe o r s ub-cordate h andaxe, w ith t wo d efinite a ngles o n t he b utt a nd s hallow f lake r emovals o n e ach f ace, b ut s lightly t hick i n s ection, w ith a s light t wist.

1 47

( G) S ummary a nd d iscussion o f t he F rench e vidence f or t he b out c oupe b iface A fter a f ull c onsideration o f t he a vailable l iterature, s elected n orthern a nd n orth-western F rench M TA a ssemblages w ere s tudied t o e xamine t heir r ange o f h andaxe m orphology a nd i n p articular t o c heck f or t he p resence o f a ny h andaxes w hich c ould b e c onsidered t o f orm m orphological o r t ypological p arallels f or t he B ritish b out c oupe b iface-type. I t w as h oped t hat a ny d iscovered p arallels m ight b e a ble t o s uggest f urther i nformation ( such a s d ate, c ontext, o r e ven f unction) w hich c ould p rove r elevant t o t he m ainly i solated a nd u ndated B ritish f inds. T he n orthern p art o f F rance w as c hosen a s t he a rea f or s tudy a s i t i s t he F rench r egion l ying c losest, b oth g eographically a nd a lso i n t erms o f c limate a nd n atural r esources , t o s outhern B ritain, a nd t herefore t he r egion w here o ne m ight m ost l ogically e xpect s uch s imilar h andaxes t o o ccur. T he e vidence f rom t he s tudy o f B reton M TA s ites i s s omewhat d ifficult t o a ssess, a s t he a vailable r aw m aterial s eems t o h ave h ad a s trong i nfluence o n t he m orphology o f t he m anufactured i mplements. T he b ifaces a ppear b oth s maller a nd r elatively l ess r efined t han t hose f rom t he P aris B asin, a nd t here a re f ewer " well-made" p ieces w ith d elicate s hallow s oft-hammer f lake r emovals. A lthough s ome o f t he B ois-du-Rocher h andaxes u ndoubtedly d o a pproach t he f orm , a nd i n p articular t he p lanform , o f t he t ypical B ritish b out c oupe, t hey a lso s eem t o f orm a p art o f t he c ontinuous m orphological b iface r ange o bservable i n t he a ssemblage. I n t he o pinion o f t he p resent w riter i t w ould t herefore b e i ncorrect i n B rittany t o i solate t hese h andaxes a s a d istinct g roup f rom t he t otal h andaxe p opulation; w hen c omparing t he a ppearance o f i mplements m ade f rom d ifferent m aterials, i t s eems m ost p rudent t o e rr o n t he s ide o f c aution. T he P aris B asin h as y ielded s everal e xamples o f h andaxes w hich h ave n ot b een s ingled o ut f or a ttention b y F rench a rchaeologists, b ut w hich a ppear t o b e c lassic b out c oupe h andaxes. T hese h andaxes h ave b een f ound b oth a s s tray f inds w ith l ittle a ssociated i nformation, a nd a s p art o f f airly w ell-documented M ousterian ( MTA) i ndustries; i t s eems r easonable t o a ssume t hat m ore o f t hese b out c oupé p ieces r emain u ndetected i n m useums a nd p rivate c ollections. W here t hey a re f ound i n M TA a ssemblages, r efined t riangular b ifaces, s imilar t o t he s ingle t riangular h andaxe r ecovered i n B ritain, s eem t o b e p resent i n a t l east e qual o r g reater n umbers. T hese f lat t riangular p ieces h ave b een r egarded b y c ertain F rench a rchaeologists a s a t ype f ossil f or t he n orthern M TA , s omewhat a s t he b out c oupe h as b een s uggested a s a t ype f ossil f or t he B ritish M ousterian. A s h as b een n oted, t he M TA o f n orthern F rance d iffers f rom t he c lassic " cave M TA" o f t he D ordogne r egion, a nd s eems t o b e m uch e arlier i n d ate . I t s eems f airly c lear t hat a ll t he n orthern M TA a ssemblages c ontaining b out c oupe a nd s imilar b ifaces s hould b e d ated t o n ot l ater t han t he b eginning o f t he l ast g laciation ( a p eriod w hen t he l and-bridge m ay h ave a llowed a ccess t o a nd f rom t he s outh o f B ritain), e nding d uring t he W ürm I p hase. T he F rench e vidence l isted a bove s uggests t hat i t i s c orrect t o a ssociate b oth t he b out c oups a nd t he r efined-triangular h andaxe-type w ith t he M ousterian, o r m ore s pecifically w ith t he n orthern F rench " open-air M TA" v ariant, a nd i mplies t hat a n e arly D evensian d ate m ight b e e xpected f or b oth t hese f orms i n B ritain. U nfortunately, t ime . and

1 48

f inancial r esources d id n ot p ermit a n e xamination o f F rench M ousterian a ssemblages f rom f urther s outh, b ut i t h as b een n oted f rom t he a vailable l iterature t hat w hile t he d istinctive f lat t riangular b iface, w hich i s s o r are i n B ritain, i s f ound m ost f requently i n t he P aris B asin a rea, i t i s a lso o ccasionally r ecovered a s f ar s outh a s t he P grigord. M ellars h as s uggested ( 1974, 6 4) t hat a t l east s ome o f t he B ritish M TA s ites, i n p articular O ldbury, a ppear t ypologically c loser t o t his " classic" ( later?) M TA t han t o t he n orthern v ariant. I t i s n ot p ossible t o d etermine t he t rue d istribution o f t he b out c oupe b ifaces i n F rance, a s t his c lass h as n ot b een i solated f or s tudy b y F rench p rehistorians. T his f act i n i tself i s r ather c urious: i t i s i ndeed a lmost a s i f t hey h ad n ever d istinguished b urins b usques f rom o ther p olyhedric b urin t ypes i n t heir A urignacian, e xcept t hat t he n umber o f p ieces i nvolved i n t he b out c oupe c ase i s m uch f ewer. M ight t his p erhaps i mply t hat b out c oupes a re o nly r elatively c ommon i n B ritain a nd s o r are i n F rance t hat t hey c an j ustifiably e scape g eneral n otice? T he a lternative, t hat t here a re s o m any M TA b ifaces t hat a r elatively s mall s traight-butted c omponent, s imilar i n n umbers t o t hose r ecovered i n B ritain, m ight b e o verlooked d oes n ot s eem t o b e t he c ase. T his c ertainly s uggests t o t he p resent w riter t hat s o f ar a s F rance i s c oncerned t he b out c oupe h andaxes h ave a r estricted d istribution v irtually c onfined t o t he n orth o f t he c ountry, s ince i f c lassic b out c oupes w ere c ommon i n t he s outh t hey c ould h ardly f ail t o b e n oticed, g iven t he g reat a mount o f w ork t hat h as b een d one o n t he M ousterian a ssemblages t here. T he i nformation s ummarised a bove t herefore l eads t o t he c onclusion t hat t he M TA a ssemblages h ave m uch c ommon g round i n B ritain a nd N orth F rance, b ut w ith c ertain l ocal d ifferences o f w hich t he m ost s triking i s t hat b out c oupes a ppear m ore B ritish a nd r efined-triangular b ifaces m ore F rench. A s h as a lready b een s tated, i n f unctional t erms t hese t wo f orms m ight w ell b e s tylistic v ariants o f t he s ame t ool t ype, w ith t he b ase a s a n i mportant f eature.

5 .2 T HE S EARCH F OR B OUT C OUPE B IFACES I N B ELGIUM A ND T HE N ETHERLANDS T he M iddle P alaeolithic o f B elgium h as r ecently b een s ummarised b y C ahen ( 1984), a nd a m ore c omprehensive r eview o f t he M iddle P alaeolithic s ites o f t he M euse B asin h as b een p ublished b y U lrix-Closset ( 1975). T he M TA s eems t o b e f airly w ell r epresented i n B elgium; t he m ajority o f t he s ites h ave a h igh p roportion o f L evalloisian i mplements, b ut i n t he o pinion o f t he p resent w riter n one o f t he s ites h as y ielded e ven a s ingle t ypical b out c oupe h andaxe. F ew L ower o r M iddle P alaeolithic s ites h ave b een r ecognised i n T he N etherlands ( Cahen 1 984, 1 35), • a nd a ll t he a vailable e vidence s uggests t hat, p erhaps f or c limatic r easons, t he r egion w as s eldom v isited b y e arlier P alaeolithic M an. T here a re n o k nown M TA s ites ( D .M . C ollins, i n C ollins a nd C ollins 1 970, 1 71-2), a nd t he p ublished l iterature d oes n ot r eveal a ny b out c oupe like b ifaces. T herefore, a lthough T he N etherlands c ould h ave h ad d irect l inks w ith B ritain v ia w hat i s n ow t he s outhern N orth S ea d uring t he c old p eriods o f l ow s ea-level, i t m ust b e c oncluded t hat n o p arallels f or t he B ritish b out c oupe h andaxe t ype o r f or t he B ritish M TA a re p resent i n T he N etherlands.

1 49

5 .3 T HE S EARCH F OR B OUT C OUPE B IFACES I N G ERMANY A lthough t he F rench M ousterian f acies n ames h ave n ot b een u sed i n G ermany i t s eems t hat, w ith t he e xception o f d enticulate p ieces, m any o f t he s ame M ousterian t ool t ypes e ncountered i n F rance a re t o b e f ound i n p arts o f W estern G ermany. B osinski ( 1967, 6 4), d efining t he M ousterian b y t he u nifacial r etouching o f f lake i mplements, d ivides t he G erman M ousterian i nto t hree m ajor t ype-groups o r f acies: T he R heindahlen-group, c haracterised b y t he p resence o f a nd d ouble s idescrapers, s ymmetrical a nd a symmetrical a nd v entrally u nretouched l imaces. T he K artstein-group, w ith b ifacially w orked p oints a nd s lightly a typical s idescrapers.

d ouble

s ingle p oints

p oints,

T he B alve I V g roup, w hich c ontains n umerous b lade t ools, " Bogenspitzen" ( points w ith o ne s traight u nretouched e dge, o ne c onvex r etouched e dge).

a nd a nd

T he e arlier M ousterian s ites s eem t o b e c ontemporary w ith t he l ater M icoquian s ites, w ith t he y oungest M ousterian g roup, B alve I V , a pparently o ccurring i n a t emperate p eriod a t t he e nd o f t he E arly W urm . E ighteen y ears a go, B osinski ( 1967, 9 2) r ecognised o nly o ne o ccurrence o f t he M TA i n G ermany, a t A chenheim I V : n o b out c oupe like p ieces h ave b een r ecovered f rom t his s ite. M ore r ecently t he M TA h as b een r ecognised a t L enderscheid ( Luttropp 1 975), a nd s everal f inds o f a pparently M ousterian h andaxes a re n ow k nown f rom n orthern G ermany. T here a re, a s y et, n o k nown t ypical b out c oupe h andaxes i n G ermany, a lthough t here a re a f ew M ousterian b ifaces w hich s eem t o a pproach t he f orm b ut w hich a re l ess r efined, w ith a l ack o f s ymmetry i n t he p lanforms. T hese h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered f rom : 1 . H annover-Döhren, H annover ( Niedersachissches L andesmuseum , H annover): B osinski ( 1967, 1 00) l ists a ll t he k nown f inds f rom t his a rea, a ttributing t hem t o h is J ungacheulgen t ype-group ( the o ldest M iddle P alaeolithic i ndustry i n t he r egion, c haracterised b y t he p resence o f l arge p ointed h andaxes, b roader h andaxes a nd l arge L evallois p oints). T he r ecovered i mplements i nclude s ome r oughly w orked s ub-cordate a nd a mygdaloid h andaxes, u nifacial a nd b ifacial s crapers, r etouched b lades, c ores a nd f lakes f rom p repared c ores. W hile n one o f t he b ifaces c an b e c lassed a s a t ypical b out c oup , a s t hey l ack t he r equired d egree o f t echnical r efinement a nd d o n ot h ave t he c orrect s ymmetrical p lanform , t wo c an b e r egarded a s b out c oupe like p ieces, a nd s hould b e n oted a s s uch. 2 .

S elm : T ernsche K r. L udinghausen ( Landesmuseum f ür V or- und F rühgeschichte, M ünster): s ixteen a rtifacts, i ncluding a s ub-triangular b iface, w ere f ound d uring a n e xtension o f t he D ortmund-Ems C anal w hich c ut t hrough t he s and-bearing g ravels o f t he R iver S tever i n 1 934. U nfortunately, t he e xact p osition o f t he i mplements i s u nrecorded, a lthough i t i s k nown t hat t hey w ere d istributed o ver q uite a w ide a rea. T he s ub-triangular

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b iface i s l arge, a nd u nusual i n t hat i t h as a p ronounced w hite m ottled p atina o n b oth f aces - the o ther i mplements b eing a lmost u npatinated. I t h as b een s uggested t hat t his h andaxe c ould w ell b e a b out c ouPe. H owever, i t l acks t he t ypical o utline-shape a nd i n p rofile i t i s s omewhat t hick. I t w ould s eem m ore l ikely t hat t his i mplement h as a cquired s ome o f i ts b out c oupe c haracteristics b y a ccident, a nd t here s eems t o b e n o r eal r eason t o s uppose t hat t he i mplement w as d eliberately c onceived a s a s pecial t ype. T he r emaining t ools a ppear t o b e f airly t ypically L ate L ower P alaeolithic. 3 . R heindahlen, S tadtkr. M önchengladbach ( much m aterial i n p rivate c ollections; R heinisches L andesmuseum, B onn): t en f airly w ell s tratified P alaeolithic l ayers, i ncluding M ousterian h orizons, h ave b een r ecorded i n t he s ections o f t he R heindahlen b rickpit ( Bosinski 1 967, 6 4). O nly t hree h andaxes h ave s o f ar b een r ecovered f rom t he s ite; t hese h ave b een c lassified b y B osinski ( 1967, 1 16) a s a n a pparently M icoquian p ointed-pyriform f rom l ayer B 2 ( dated t o t he l ast i nterglacial), a nd t wo a pparently M ousterian p ieces f rom l ayer A 3 ( dated t o t he f inal g laciation). O ne o f t hese M ousterian b ifaces i s a f airly c rudely w orked c hert p oint w ith a r ough a nd p ebble b utt, b ut t he o ther h andaxe i s a s lightly d amaged s ub-triangular/cordate m ade o f q uartzite, w hich i n o utline-shape i s r eminiscent o f t he b out c oupe c lass, a lthough l acking t he r efinement a nd d elicate w orking c ommon i n B ritish b out c oup6s. 4 . L enderscheid, K r. Z iegenhain ( Kassel M useum): T he m anufacturing s ite o f L enderscheid h as y ielded t housands o f a rtifacts f rom m any p eriods, a pparently r anging o n t ypological g rounds f rom t he M iddle P alaeolithic ( or p ossibly L ate L ower P alaeolithic) t o t he N eolithic, a nd p erhaps i ncluding s ome m odern d ebris ( Lutz -1 977). A lmost a ll t he p ieces a re m ade f rom a l ocally a vailable q uartzite, o f w hich t he s ite r epresents a s ubstantial p rehistoric e xploitation. U nfortunately, t he v ast c ollection h as n ot y et b een f ully s tudied, a nd t here h as b een n o m ajor p ublication o f t he s ite. H owever, t he M iddle P alaeolithic c omponent h as a ttracted a ttention a s i t c ontains a h igh p ercentage o f t ypical M ousterian b ifaces, i ncluding c ordates, s ub-cordates, s ub-ovates a nd o vates; t he c ollection i s t herefore c onsidered t o r epresent a r are a ppearance o f t he M TA i n G ermany ( Luttropp 1 975, 4 3). S everal t riangular o r s ub-triangular h andaxes a re p resent b ut t here a re n o t ypically s traight-butted b out c oupes i n t he a ssemblage; a lthough s everal i mplements h ave b out c oupe like o utline-shapes t hey a re c rudely m ade a nd s omewhat r ough w ith f ew r egular f lake r emovals. T his c ould, o f c ourse, b e a r esult o f t he r aw m aterial u sed. T he t riangular p ieces a re s lightly r eminiscent o f t he l arger a nd m ore r efined t riangular i mplements r ecovered f rom c ertain M ousterian c ontexts i n F rance.

A ll t hese h andaxes c ome f rom n orth-western G ermany. T he o nly s tratified e xample ( Rheindahlen) h as b een d ated t o t he l ast g laciation; t he o ther h andaxes c annot b e a ccurately d ated d ue t o t he c ircumstances o f t heir r ecovery.

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5 .4 S UMMARY O F T HE C ONTINENTAL E VIDENCE F OR T HE B OUT C OUPE B IFACE G ROUP A s urvey c onducted o ver t he n orth-west o f E urope ( the m ain a rea o f M TA d istribution; c onsult C ollins a nd C ollins 1 970, F igure 7 ) s howed t hat t he o nly h andaxes w hich a ppear t o f orm a d irect p arallel t o t he B ritish b out c oupe h andaxe-type h ave b een r ecovered i n e arly W ürmian M TA a ssemblages i n t he n orth o f F rance. T hese h andaxes, w hich h ave n ever b een f ormally r ecognised a s a " type" b y F rench a rchaeologists, a re o ccasionally a ssociated w ith r efined-triangular b ifaces. T he r efined-triangular b ifaces a re k nown t o o ccur a s f ar s outh a s t he P erigord r egion, b ut n o c orresponding s pread o f t he b out c oupe b ifaces s eems t o h ave b een d ocumented, a nd c ertainly c annot b e a ssumed. N o b out c oupe h andaxes w ere i dentified i n B elgian M TA a ssemblages a lthough, a s i t w as n ot p ossible t o m ake a d etailed i nspection o f t he B elgian m aterial, t heir c omplete a bsence c annot b e s tated a s a n a bsolute f act. I t s eems, h owever, t hat i f s uch b ifaces a re p resent t hey m ust b e p resent i n f airly s mall n umbers t o h ave a gain e scaped n otice a s a s pecific t ype. I t d oes s eem c ertain t hat n o b out c oupes h ave b een r ecovered i n T he N etherlands a nd, p erhaps f or c limatic r easons, t here s eems t o h ave b een v ery l ittle P alaeolithic o ccupation i n t his r egion. G ermany a lso s eems t o l ie o utside t he d istribution a rea o f t ypical b out c oupe h andaxes, a lthough s everal r elatively c rude b ifaces a pproaching t his f orm h ave b een i dentified a nd d escribed i n t he t ext a bove. T he e vidence o f a pparently i dentical t ool-types b eing f ound b oth i n t he n orth o f F rance a nd t he s outh o f B ritain, w ith a n a pparent c oncentration a long t he m ajor p resent-day r iver s ystems o f b oth r egions a nd a lso f ollowing t he s outhern B ritish c oast, c ertainly s uggests a l ink b etween t he t wo a reas a t t he t ime o f b out c oupA m anufacture o r u se. T he m ost o bvious i nference i s t hat t here w as a c ommon, p erhaps n omadic, p opulation g roup, o r e lse f requent c ontact b etween d ifferent g roups i n t his r egion. T he F rench e vidence, a nd m ost o f t he B ritish e vidence, s uggests t hat t his c onnection w ould h ave o ccurred a t t he v ery b eginning o f t he l ast g laciation, w hen t he l owered s ea-level m ay w ell h ave a llowed f ree m ovement t o a nd f rom t he B ritish p eninsula, e ffectively m aking t he P aris a nd L ondon B asins i nto o ne c ontinuous g eographical r egion. U nfortunately, t he p ost-glacial s ubmergence o f t he E nglish C hannel b ed m ay w ell h ave r esulted i n t he l oss o f a g reat d eal o f u seful i nformation. T he s ituation i s s omewhat c omplicated b y t he f act t hat n one o f t he B ritish b out c oupes h as b een r ecovered i n g enuine a ssociation w ith a B ritish " northern F rench M TA" t ype a ssemblage, w hile f ew i solated o r s tray b out c oupes h ave b een r ecovered i n F rance. S imilarly, t he d efinite s carcity o f r efined-triangular b ifaces i n B ritain a nd t he p ossible l ack o f b out c oupes i n t he s outh o f F rance i s o f i nterest.

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C HAPTER 6 S UMMARY A ND C ONCLUSIONS

T he p urpose o f t his l ast c hapter i s s imply t o p resent t he c onclusions a nd i nterpretations o f t he e vidence a lready d iscussed a t l ength i n t he t ext a bove. T he p resent w riter f eels t hat i t i s i ndeed c orrect t o c onsider t he b out c oupe h andaxe g roup a s a d istinct m orphological t ype. W ithin t his g roup t here i s s ome s light v ariation i n p lanform , r efinement a nd f laking c haracteristics, a s i ndeed o ne o bserves i n o ther m orphological b iface g roups a nd a s o ne m ight r easonably e xpect f rom t ools m ade ( presumably) b y d ifferent w orkers. I t i s t he r ecovery o f a r easonably l arge n umber o f t ypical e xamples w hich m akes t his h andaxe g roup p articularly w orthy o f s tudy. I n B ritain t he h andaxes a re m ost f requently f ound a s s tray o r i solated f inds, a nd o ccasionally i n a ssociation w ith M TA s ites. T hey w ould a ppear t o b e d ated t o a r elatively r estricted p eriod b etween t he l ate I pswichian a nd t he m id-Devensian, w ith m ost h aving s uggested e arly D evensian d ates. W hether t he m id-Devensian d ate f rom t he C oygan C ave d oes a ctually d ate t he t wo b out c oup6 ' b ifaces r ecovered f rom t he c ave w ill n ot b ecome a pparent u ntil t he r elevant i nformation i s f ully p ublished. B out c oupe b ifaces h ave a lso b een r ecovered f rom n orthern F rance; h owever, t hey d o n ot s eem t o o ccur i n B elgium, T he N etherlands o r G ermany, a nd i t s eems u nlikely t hat t hey h ave b een r ecovered i n a ny g reat n umbers t o t he s outh o f t he P aris B asin. A gain, t he F rench e vidence s uggests a n e arly D evensian d ate f or t he h andaxe-type, a nd l eaves o ne t o s uppose t hat m uch v aluable e vidence h as b een l ost u nder t he w aters o f t he E nglish C hannel. I t i s i nteresting t o n ote t hat, w hile t he b out c oupe i s r elatively c ommon a nd t he r efined-triangular b iface i s r are i n B ritain, i n n orthern F rance t he r everse s ituation a pplies. T he r ecovery o f b oth f orms i n a pparent a ssociation a t c ertain n orthern F rench s ites s uggests t hat t hey a re a c ontemporary t ype, a nd p erhaps e ven s tylistic v ariants o f e ssentailly t he s ame t ool-type. A f ew B ritish b out c oupe b ifaces h ave b een r ecovered i n a ssociation w ith M TA o ccurrences; a t L ittle P axton, I pswich, P an F arm , O ldbury, t he C oygan C ave a nd K ent's C avern. U nfortunately, n one o f t hese s ites, w ith t he p ossible e xception o f t he C oygan C ave, h as y ielded a r eliable d ate f or t he r ecovered M ousterian m aterial. H owever, t he m ajority a re p lausibly b elieved t o d ate t o t he e arly D evensian. I t h as b een s uggested ( Mellars 1 974, 6 4) t hat t he s ites l isted a bove m ay a ctually r epresent t wo d ifferent M ousterian p hases; a n e arlier p hase d ated t o t he b egining o f t he l ast g laciation, p erhaps a v ariant o f t he n orthern F rench M TA ( including L ittle P axton, K ent's C avern a nd t he C oygan C ave), a nd a l ater, " more c lassic", M TA s imilar t o t hat f ound i n t he

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P erigord r egion o f F rance ( including O ldbury a nd o ther M TA s ites n ot y ielding b out c oup eb ifaces). H owever, t he d ating e vidence f or t he C oygan C ave n ow s uggests t hat i t s hould b e r egarded a s a m id-Devensian s ite, w hile O ldbury, w hich o n t ypological g rounds M ellars h as c ompared t o t he s outh-western F rench M ousterian, h as u nfortunately y ielded n o d irect d ating e vidence a t a ll. T he o ne O ldbury b out c oupe i s u nusually s mall a nd t herefore s omewhat a typical, b ut s o i s o ne o f t he C oygan b ifaces w hich w as r eportedly r ecovered i n g enuine a ssocation w ith o ne o f t he l arger t ypical b out c oupe b ifaces. T his m akes i t s omewhat d ifficult t o d etermine w hether M ellars' s uggestion i s c orrect: t he m arginal n ature o f t he B ritish M ousterian a nd t he p oor q uality o f e xcavation a t m ost s ites a re n ot m uch h elp i n t he s olution o f t his p roblem. T he O ldbury b iface m ay b e o pen t o a c ertain a mount o f d ispute, a lthough i t d oes f it w ell i nto t he c lass a s d efined i n t his m onograph, b ut t he C oygan C ave b ifaces a ppear t o b e a bsolutely c lassic e xamples o f t heir t ype. A ssuming t he c orrectness o f t he C oygan d ate, t his i mplies e ither t hat t he b out c ou r ie w as a M ousterian t ool f ound i n b oth M ellars' e arlier a nd l ater p hases ( but t hen w hy n ot f ound i n s outh-west F rance?), o r t hat i t w as p erhaps a l ocal s pecific t ool w hose m anufacture s tarted i n t he e arly D evensian a nd p erhaps c ontinued i n B ritain a s l ate a s t he m id-Devensian. T here i s n ot e nough e vidence t o s tate f irmly t hat t he m ajority o f t he B ritish b out c oupes d ate t o t he e arlier p art o f t his p eriod, a lthough t he p resent w riter i n f act b elieves t hat t his i s t he c ase. W hether t he b iface-form s hould t herefore b e c onsidered a t ypical M ousterian m arker d epends u pon t he i nterpretation p laced o n t he t erm " Mousterian"; i t c an c ertainly n ot a t t he m oment b e c onsidered s olely a n e arly M ousterian t ype f ossil, b ut t here i s a s y et l ittle e vidence t hat i t w as e ver a ssociated w ith a nything b ut t he M ousterian. T he i mplement a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm A cton, i s a typical a nd p erhaps u nfinished; i t i s n ote a s a b iface a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm f rom a L evalloisian f lake-blade i ndustry, b ut i n h ardly b e r egarded a s s ufficient e vidence o n e arlier d ating o r d ifferent a ssociations f or t he

f rom C reffield R oad, t herefore w orthy o f a pparently r ecovered t he c ircumstances c an w hich t o s uggest a n t ype.

I t m ust t herefore b e c oncluded t hat a lthough t here i s e nough e vidence t o r egard t he b out c oupe a s a d istinct m orphological g roup, d ating t o b etween t he l ate I pswichian a nd t he m id-Devensian a nd p robably c onnected i n s ome w ay w ith e arly W arm M TA o ccurrences i n n orthern F rance, t he s um t otal o f t he p resently a vailable i nformation i s i nadequate f or u s t o m ake f urther c laims f or t his g roup.

T hese c onclusions c an b e s ummarised a s f ollows: 1 . T he v ast m ajority o f B ritish h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered b y c hance r ather t han i n f ormal a rchaeological e xcavations, a nd a re w ithout a ny p recise d etails o f f ind-spot o r a ny f urther a ssociated i nformation. A s a r esult, t ypology h as p layed a l arge p art i n h andaxe s tudies, a s i ndeed i t h as n ecessarily d one i n t his m onograph. T he f orm a nd a ppearance o f a b iface d epend u pon t he w ishes a nd s kill o f i ts m aker a nd u pon t he n ature o f t he a vailable r aw m aterial a nd l ocal c onditions, a nd c an b e f urther a ffected b y u se a nd p ost-depositional c hange a nd d amage.

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K nowledge o f t he f unction(s) o f h andaxes a nd o f t heir r ole i n t he o riginal a ssemblages i s l acking. T his m eans t hat a lthough a s traightforward c omparison o f h andaxes o r a ssemblages f rom d ifferent f ind-spots i s o f v alue, a nd i s f requently t he o nly a pproach o pen t o t he P rehistorian, t he l imitations a nd u ntestable a ssumptions b ehind s uch a n a pproach m ust b e r ealised. 2 . T hroughout m uch o f t he P alaeolithic B ritain l ay o n t he n orth-western e dge o f t he o ccupied w orld, c onnected a t l east i ntermittently t o C ontinental E urope, a nd t herefore o pen t o a v ariety o f d ifferent c ultural i nfluences w hich m ay w ell h ave l eft t heir m ark i n t he a rchaeological r ecord. I t s eems u nlikely, f or c limatic r easons, t hat B ritain w as c ontinuously o ccupied t hroughout t he U pper P leistocene. D uring p eriods o f l owered s ea l evel n orthern F rance a nd s outhern B ritain m ay w ell h ave f ormed o ne c ontinuous g eographical a rea; t he p ost-glacial s ubmergence o f t he E nglish C hannel b ed m ay t herefore h ave r esulted i n t he l oss o f a g reat d eal o f u seful a rchaeological i nformation. 3 .

I t i s c lear t hat t he b out c oup6 h andaxe g roup f orms a d istinct m orphological t ype; a lthough o ther n ames h ave b een p roposed f or t his t ype ( "flat-butted c ordate", " Paxton t ype", " rectangular") i t i s r ecommended t hat t he n ame b out c oupe s hould b e r etained a s i t h as a lready b een w idely u sed i n t he p ublished l iterature. W ithin t he t ype t here i s s ome v ariation, a s o ne m ight e xpect f rom i mplements m ade f rom a v ariety o f r aw m aterials, b y d ifferent w orkers a nd p ossibly o ver a w ide t ime-span, b ut t he r ecovery o f a l arge n umber o f t ypical e xamples m akes t he g roup p articularly w orthy o f s tudy. T he f ollowing d efinition i s s uggested f or t he t ype: A r efined a nd f ully b ifacial m edium-sized c ordiform o r r ectangular b iface w ith a s ymmetrical p lanform, h aving a s traight o r s lightly c onvex b utt e dge, s lightly c onvex s ides a nd a r ounded t ip, a nd s howing a m arked d iscontinuity o f c urvature a t t he i ntersection o f t he s ides w ith t he b ase. B oth t he b utt a nd t he t ip a re w ell w orked, f requently w ith d elicate s oft-hammer f lake r emovals, a nd t here a re n o l arge u nworked a reas o r c ortex p atches. T he c utting-edge r uns r ight r ound t he c ircumference o f t he p iece a nd i s s traight o r o nly s lightly t wisted; t ranchet s cars m ay o r m ay n ot b e p resent o n t he t ip. M etrically, t he o verwhelming m ajority f all w ithin t he f ollowing r anges: S ize: M aximum l ength M aximum b readth M aximum t hickness S hape: L l/L x 1 00 B /L x 1 00 B 1/B2 x 1 00 R efinement: T /B x 1 00

o f

b out

9 0mm -150mm 7 0mm -100mm 2 3mm - 30mm 1 5 -26 6 5 -75 5 -75 5 2 0 -40

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c oupe

h andaxes

1 5 - 26

T1/ B x 1 00

A s s ize c an a lso b e d ependent o n t he a vailability a nd q uality o f r aw m aterial, a nd s hape a nd r efinement c an v ary d epending o n r aw m aterial a nd t he t echnical s kill o f t he w orker, t his m etrical d efinition c annot b e a pplied a s s trictly a s w ould b e d esirable. 4 .

I n B ritain b out c oupe h andaxes a re m ost f requently f ound a s s tray o r i sdlated f inds, a nd o ccasionally i n a ssociation w ith o ther a rtifacts a t M TA s ites. T hey w ould a ppear t o b e d ated t o a r elatively r estricted p eriod b etween t he l ate I pswichian a nd t he m id-Devensian, w ith m ost h aving a pparently e arly D evensian d ates. U nfortunately, n one o f t he B ritish M TA s ites, w ith t he p ossible e xception o f t he C oygan C ave, h as y ielded a r eliable d ate f or t he r ecovered M ousterian m aterial. H owever, t he m ajority a re b elieved t o d ate t o t he e arly D evensian.

5 . W hether o r n ot t he b out c oupe b iface s hould b e c onsidered a t ypical M ousterian m arker d epends u pon t he i nterpretation p laced o n t he t erm M ousterian; i t c ertainly c annot b e r egarded a s a n i deal e arly M ousterian t ype f ossil, b ut o n t he o ther h and t here i s a s y et l ittle e vidence t hat i t w as e ver a ssociated w ith a nything b ut t he M ousterian. 6 .

U nfortunately, t here i s l ittle i nformation c oncerning t he o riginal f unction(s) o f t he b out c oupe b iface, a lthough a s t he m ajority o f t he h andaxes h ave b een r ecovered a s i solated o r s tray f inds o ne m ay p erhaps s peculate t hat t he b out c oupes w ere i mplements i ndividually c arried r eady f or u se r ather t han b eing d esigned a s a n i ntegral p art o f t he " static" t ool-kit a vailable a t l iving s ites.

7 .

B out c oupe b ifaces h ave b een r ecovered f rom n orthern F rance, b ut t hey d o n ot o ccur i n B elgium, T he N etherlands o r G ermany, a nd i t s eems u nlikely t hat t hey h ave b een f ound i n a ny g reat n umbers t o t he s outh o f t he P aris B asin. A gain, t he F rench e vidence s uggests a n e arly D evensian d ate f or t he h andaxe-type. T he f act t hat a pparently i dentical t ool-types a re f ound b oth i n t he n orth o f F rance a nd t he s outh o f B ritain s uggests a l ink b etween t he t wo a reas a t t he t ime o f b out c oupe m anufacture o r u se. A ll i ndications s uggest t hat t his c onnection w ould h ave o ccurred a t t he b eginning o f t he D evensian, w hen t he l owered s ea-level m ay w ell h ave a llowed f ree m ovement t o a nd f rom B ritain.

8 . W here b out c oupe h andaxes a re f ound i n F rench M TA a ssemblages, r efined-triangular b ifaces a re p resent i n a t l east e qual a nd u sually g reater n umbers. T hese r efined-triangular b ifaces h ave b een r egarded b y c ertain F rench a rchaeologists a s a t ype f ossil f or t he n orthern F rench M TA. T he r ecovery o f t hese t wo n ot d issimilar f orms i n a pparent a ssociation i ndicates t hat t hey a re c ontemporary t ools, a nd p erhaps e ven t o b e r egarded a s s tylistic v ariants o f t he s ame t ool-type, w ith t he b ase a s a n i mportant f eature. I t s eems c orrect t o a ssociate b oth f orms w ith t he n orthern F rench " open-air M TA" v ariant, w hich i mplies t hat a n e arly D evensian d ate m ight b e e xpected f or b oth f orms i n B ritain.

1 56

9 .

I t i s n ot p ossible a t p resent t o d etermine t he t rue d istribution o f t he b out c oupe b ifaces i n F rance, a s t his t ool-class h as n ever b een i solated f or s tudy b y F rench p rehistorians: t his f act i n i tself m ight i mply t hat b out c oupes a re s o r are i n F rance t hat t hey h ave e scaped g eneral n otice. T he d istinctive r efined-triangular b iface i s f ound m ost f requently i n t he P aris B asin a rea, b ut i s a lso o ccasionally r ecovered a s f ar s outh a s t he P erigord.

1 0. T he i nformation s ummarised a bove g ives t he i mpression t hat t he e arly l ast g lacial M TA a ssemblages h ave m uch c ommon g round i n B ritain a nd n orth F rance. H owever, t here a re c ertain l ocal d ifferences, o f w hich t he m ost s triking i s t hat b out c oupe b ifaces a ppear m ore B ritish a nd r efined-triangular b ifaces m ore F rench. t m ust b e c oncluded t hat a lthough t here i s e nough e vidence t o 1. I r egard t he b out c oupe h andaxes a s a d istinct m orphological g roup d ating t o b etween t he l ate I pswichian a nd t he m id-Devensian a nd p robably c losely r elated i n s ome w ay t o e arly W urm M TA o ccurrences i n n orthern F rance, t he s um t otal o f t he p resent e vidence d oes n ot a llow a ny f urther s pecific c laims f or t his g roup.

1 57

T ABLE 1

A L IST O F B RITISH B OUT C OUPE B IFACES A s r ecorded i n C hapter 3 .

i tt a xton 1 1 9

1 60

• 7

•

A pprox. s outhern l imi o f t he D evensian G laciation

2. 0 •

2 4 -6 2 7

28

. _ 5 7

3

2

4

31

6 8

4 d 44 4

O ldbury 6

6 5•

51 55

6 4

K ent's C avern

56

. 30

:4 5 09

P an F arm, S hide

T he d istribution o f B ritish b out c oupe b ifaces a nd p rincipal M ousterian Sites

A . E ast A nglia a nd t he O use R iver s ystem : ( 1) ( 2) ( 3) ( 4) ( 5) ( 6) ( 7) ( 8) ( 9) ( 10) ( 11) ( 12) ( 13) ( 14)

I pswic

L ittle C ressingham, N orfolk S aham T oney, N orfolk S anton D ownham, S uffolk T hetford, N orfolk E lveden, S uffolk I cklingham W arren, S uffolk B urnt F en, C ambridgeshire H orningsea, C ambridgeshire L inton, C ambridgeshire F enstanton P it, C ambridgeshire L ittle P axton, C ambridgeshire B iggleswade G ravel P it, B edfordshire B edford, B edfordshire I pswich: B ramford R d, S uffolk

1 59

B . T he T hames V alley a nd T hames t ributaries: ( 15) ( 16) ( 17) ( 18) ( 19) ( 20) ( 21) ( 22) ( 23) ( 24) ( 25) ( 26) ( 27) ( 28) ( 29) ( 30) ( 31) ( 32) ( 33) ( 34) ( 35) ( 36)

A bingdon, O xfordshire D rayton , O xfordshire M arlow , B uckinghamshire M arlow, B uckinghamshire B ourne E nd, B uckinghamshire M aidenhead, B erkshire H illingdon: W est D rayton, L ondon H illingdon: Y iewsley, L ondon H illingdon: S ipson, L ondon I sleworth , L ondon A cton , L ondon A cton P riory, L ondon B alham, S urrey H extable, K ent M ilton, K ent H olybourne, H ampshire W olverton , H ampshire T ilbury D ock, E ssex E rith , K ent E rith , K ent E rith , K ent R ichmond, S urrey

C . K ent w ith E asternmost S urrey: ( 37) ( 38) ( 39) ( 40) ( 41) ( 42) ( 43) ( 44) ( 45) ( 46) ( 47) ( 48)

S nodland, K ent S nodland, K ent O ldbury, K ent N ew H ythe, K ent F aversham , K ent H erne B ay, K ent R eculver, K ent C anterbury: S t . S tephen 's P it, K ent C anterbury: W allfield, K ent C anterbury: W incheap, K ent E lham , K ent E lham , K ent

D . S outh E ast c oast a nd t he S ussex W eald: ( 49) B illingshurst, S ussex ( 50) W est C hiltington, S ussex

E . S outh c oast a nd h interland: ( 51) ( 52) ( 53) ( 54) ( 55) ( 56) ( 57)

S alisbury, W iltshire D unbridge, H ampshire H ighbridge, H ampshire S outhampton , H ampshire S outhampton , H ampshire F areham , H ampshire F areham , H ampshire

1 60

( 58) ( 59) ( 60) ( 61) ( 62) ( 63) ( 64) ( 65)

S hide, I sle o f W ight C hristchurch, D orset B ournemouth: S outhbourne, D orset B ournemouth : P okesdown, D orset B ournemouth : B oscombe, D orset B ournemouth : C astle L ane, D orset B ournemouth : T albot W oods, D orset S herborne, D orset

G . T he S omerset P lain a nd t he s urrounding h ills: ( 66) P itminster, S omerset ( 67) C heddon F itzpaine, S omerset ( 68) W est Q uantoxhead, S omerset

H .

S outh W est E ngland:

( 69) ( 70) ( 71) ( 72)

K ent's K ent's K ent's K ent's

C avern, C avern, C avern, C avern,

D evon D evon D evon D evon

I . W ales: ( 73) C oygan C ave, D yfed ( 74) C oygan C ave, D yfed

( 75) U nprovenanced

1 61

T ABLE 2

AL IST O F B RITISH B OUT C OUPE B IFACES L isted b y c ounties, i n a lphabetical order. i ndicate c atalogue n umber.

B EDFORDSHIRE : B edford ( 13) B iggleswade ( 12) B ERKSHIRE : M aidenhead ( 20) B UCKINGHAMSHIRE : B ourne E nd ( 19) M arlow (17,18) C AMBRIDGESHIRE : B urnt F en ( 7) F enstanton ( 10) H orningsea ( 8) L inton ( 9) L ittle P axton ( 11) D EVON : K ent's C avern ( 69-72) D ORSET : B ournemouth ( 60-64) C hristchurch ( 59) S herborne ( 65) D YFED : C oygan C ave ( 73,74) H AMPSHIRE : D unbridge ( 52) F areham ( 56,57) H ighbridge ( 53) H olybourne ( 30) S outhampton ( 54,55) W olverton ( 31) I SLE O F W IGHT :

S hide ( 58)

K ENT : C anterbury ( 44-46) E lham ( 47,48) F aversham ( 41) H erne B ay ( 42) H extable ( 28) M ilton ( 29) N ew H ythe ( 40) O ldbury ( 39) R eculver ( 43) S nodland ( 47,48) L ONDON :

A cton ( 25,26) H illingdon: S ipson ( 23) H illingdon: W est D rayton ( 21) H illingdon: Y iewsley ( 22) I sleworth ( 24)

1 62

N umbers

i n

p arentheses

N ORFOLK :

L ittle C ressingham ( 1) S aham T oney ( 2) T hetford ( 4)

O XFORDSHIRE : A bingdon ( 15) D rayton ( 16) S OMERSET : C heddon F itzpaine -( 67) P itminster ( 66) W est Q uantoxhead ( 68) S UFFOLK :

B ramford R oad ( 14) E lveden ( 5) I cklingham W arren ( 6) S anton D ownham ( 3)

S URREY : B alham ( 27) S USSEX : B illingshurst ( 49) W est C hiltington ( 50) W ILTSHIRE : T HE T HAMES: U NPROVENANCED :

S alisbury ( 51) ( 32-36) ( 75)

1 63

T ABLE 3

B OUT C OUPE B IFACES : T HE M EASUREMENT O F C ONTINUOUS V ARIABLES

1

B1

T1

L :

L ength m easured i n m illimetres p arallel t o i mplement.

t he

l ong

B :

B readth m easured i n m illimetres a t r ight a ngles t o t he l ong a xis t he i mplement.

T :

T hickness m easured i n m illimetres a t r ight a ngles t o t he o f t he i mplement.

Ll . •Distance f rom t he b utt t o t he p oint o f m aximum b readth b y R oe, 1 964).

a xis

o f

l ong

( as

t he

o f

a xis

d efined

readth a t o ne f ifth o f t he l ength f rom t he t ip ( as d efined b y Bl : B 1 964).

R oe,

readth a t o ne f ifth o f t he l ength f rom t he b utt ( as d efined b y R oe, B2 : B 1 964). • 'Thickness a t o ne f ifth o f t he l ength f rom t he Tl . R oe, 1 964).

1 64

t ip

( as

d efined

b y

T ABLE 4

B OUT C OUPE B IFACES : C ONTINUOUS V ARIABLES

N umber M issing

M ean

M illimetres +/- Max

M in

S ize: L ength B readth T hicknes L B1 B1 2 T1

60 6 0 5 8 6 0 5 9 5 9 4 9

0 0 2 0 1 1 1

15.8 8 1.5 2 5.3 2.7 2 5 2.8 7 9.4 1 5.7

2 0 .8 1 3.0 3 .3 6 .2 9 .7 1 2.7 2 .4

1 95 1 26 3 2 4 2 8 5 1 24 2 1

80 47 15 12 27 47 1

6 0 5 9 5 8

0 1 2

7 0 .7 6.7 6 1 9 .7

4 .3 5 .6 3 .8

8 0 7 8 2 7

6 0 52 12

5 8 4 9

2 1

3 1.4 1 9.8

4 .1 3 .4

3 9 3 0

2 0 13

S hape: B /Lx100 B1/ B 2x 100 L1/! 'x 100

R efinement: T /Bx100 T1/ Bx100

T ABLE 5 B OUT C OUPE B IFACES:

S IZE A ND R EFINEMENT

( a) 6 0 B OUT C OUPE B IFACES: L ENGTH

%T OTAL 3 53 0 2 5 2 0 1 5 1 0 5

60

8 0

%T OTAL

1 00

1 20

( b) R EFINEMENT

7 0 • 6 0 5 0 4 0 3 0

1 66

1 40

1 60

1 80

T ABLE 6 B OUT C OUPE B IFACES : T RIPARTITE S HAPE D IAGRAM

B1/ B2 H igh v alue Li/ L " Cleaver t ypes"

L L ow v alue L1/

-Middle v L alue L1/

" Pointed t ypes"

" Ovate t ypes"

B /L 1 1 1 1 1

0

I1 0 %

1 1 11

1 0

0 %

K ey d iagram

1 67

11 1 1 1 1 1 6 0

1 00%

T ABLE 7

B OUT C OUPE B IFACES: M EAN S HAPE T he t wenty " most t ypical" ( values o f B /L , B 1/B2, L l/L l ying c losest t o t he m ean) a nd l east b roken h andaxes w ere n ormalised ( made o f t he s ame s urface a rea) u sing a n A pple m icrocomputer, a nd w ere c ombined t o g ive a h ypothetical " typical" b out c oup go utline-shape. T he r esultant s hape i s o ne w hich d oes n ot s eem t o o ccur i n B ritish A cheulian a ssemblages, b ut w hich h as b een f ound w ith M ousterian m aterial. ( a) T wo b out c oupe b ifaces o f d ifferent s urface a rea ( b) T he s ame t wo h andaxes m ade o f t he s ame s urface a rea ( c) H ypothetical " typical" b out c oupe f rom 2 0 b ifaces

o utline-shape

( b)

( c)

1 68

c alculated

T ABLE 8

S TRATIGRAPHIC/DATING E VIDENCE F OR T HE B OUT C OUPE B IFACE G ROUP F or f uller d etails c onsult C hapter 3 .

D eposit

A ssociations

S uggested d ate

B ase o f g ravel ? Same d ate a s W retton e arly D evensian g ravel

F lake

E arly D evensian

1 1 L ittle P axton

L ower T errace G reat O use

M ixed a rtifacts C old f auna

D evensian

1 4 I pswich: B ramford R d

? Peaty l oam , p it c ut i nto G ipping F loodplain T errace

M iddle P alaeolithic ? Devensian t ools. C old f auna

1 7 M arlow 1 8

L ow t errace 1 0-15ft a bove T hames F loodplain

B acked k nife, b iface

M ousterian

2 0 M aidenhead

? Gravel a f ew f t a bove T hames F loodplain

M ammoth b ones

D evensian

2 1 H illingdon: W est D rayton

" Loam a bove g ravel" L ynch H ill T errace

2 2 H illingdon: Y iewsley

? From u pper ( Stockley) l oam

2 3 H illingdon: S ipson

B rickearth o verlying T aplow T errace

I pswichian o r l ater

3 7 S nodland 3 8

? Lowest 5 ft b uried c hannel g ravels o f M edway o r a t ributary

E arly D evensian i nterstadial

3 9 O ldbury

? Stony l ayer, n o p recise d etails

M AT a ssemblage

M AT ( based o n t ypology)

5 1 S alisbury: F isherton

F isherton B rickearth

M ixed f auna, m any c old s pecies

? Devensian

5 8 P an F arm S hide

" Upper y ellow g ravel" a bove b each s ediment

M AT a ssemblage

L ate I pswichian o r y ounger

6 0 B ournemouth: S outhbourne

B ase o f g ravel b etween C hristchurch a nd M uscliff T erraces

C ordate b iface

M ild p hase w ithin D evensian

S ite

1L ittle C ressingham

? Early D evensian

1 69

? 11 a rtifacts, s ome L evalloisian

? Early D evensian

S ite

6 3 B ournemouth: C astle l ane

A ssociations

Deposit

7 3 C oygan C ave 7 4

M ild p hase w ithin D evensian

L oam ? hillwash o ver " Muscliff D elta" g ravels

In s itu i n 6 9 K ent's C avern ? " loamy c ave e arth" 7 2 " Brown s andy e arth w ith s tones & b ones"

1 70

S uggested d ate

M iddle P alaeolithic tools C old f auna

D evensian

? Mousterian t ools C old f auna

? Mid D evensian

T ABLE 9 T RIPARTITE S HAPE D IAGRAMS:

B OIS-DU-ROCHER A ND B IHOREL

1 -

1 _

-

_ a -

!

m i l l

•

^ -

•• I

—

II I I- II I

( a) B ois-du-Rocher

—

-

^ -

-

_

-

•

- .. . . .. . . .

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

( b) B ihorel " blue s eries"

1 71

P LATES I : T ypical b out c oupe b iface f orm I I: T ypical b out c oupe b iface f orm I II: T ypical b out c oup& b iface f orm I V: V :

oupe f orm B iface a pproaching t he b out c R efined-triangular b iface

P LATES I A ,IB ( 18) M ARLOW : M arlow B rickyard, B uckinghamshire O xford U niversity M useum ( S.3136)

1 72

1 73

P LATES I IA ,IIB ( 49) B ILLINGSHURST , L ewes M useum

S ussex

1 74

1 k

I B

1 75

I

P LATE I II ( 55) S OUTHAMPTON P itt R ivers M useum, O xford ( Teaching C ollection)

P LATE I V B OURNEMOUTH:

E ast C ommon

B iface a pproaching t he b out c oupe f orm

1 77

P LATE V T HETFORD : W hite H ill, N orfolk P itt R ivers M useum , O xford ( teaching collection); B lackmore M useum , S alisbury B ritish r efined-triangular b iface

1 78

f ormerly

i n

t he

V

1 79

B IBLIOGRAPHY

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I ndustries i n S outhern E ngland", u npublished P h.D . t hesis, U niversity o f S outhampton. S hackley, M .L . ( 1977), T he b out c oupe h andaxe a s a t ypological m arker f or t he B ritish M ousterian i ndustries, i n R .S.V . W right e d., S tone T ools a s C ultural M arkers: c hange, e volution a nd c omplexity, C anberra, A ustralian I nstitute o f A boriginal S tudies , P rehistory a nd M aterial C ulture S eries N o 1 2, p p 3 32-9. S mith, I .F . &W ymer, J .J . ( 1964), T he T reacher c ollection o f p rehistoric a rtefacts f rom M arlow , R ecords o f B ucks, 1 7:4: 2 86-88. S mith, R .A . 2 7-48.

( 1915), T he O rigin o f t he N eolithic c elt, A rchaeologia , 6 7:

S mith, R .A . ( 1926), A G uide t o t he a ntiquities o f t he S tone A ge i n t he D epartment o f B ritish a nd M edievel A ntiquities ( 3rd e dn), B ritish M useum , L ondon. S mith, R .A . ( 1931), T he S turge C ollection: a n i llustrated s election o f f lints f rom B ritain b y W illiam A llen S turge, B ritish M useum , L ondon. S mith, W .G . ( 1894), M an t he P rimeval S avage: h is h aunts a nd r elics f rom t he h ill-tops o f B edfordshire t o B lackwall, S tanford, L ondon. S omme, J . &T uffreau A . ( 1971), S tratigraphie d e P leistocene r ecent e t M ousterien d e t radition a cheul6en ä M arcoing ( Cambresis -Nord d e l a F rance), B ull. d e l 'Assoc. F rancaise p our l 'etude d u Q uaternaire, 8 : , 5 7-74. S oulier, P . ( 1978), T ables e t i ndex I II, B ull. C .N.R.S., P aris.

S oc. P rehist. F rancaise, x

T ebbut, C .F ., M arr, J .E . &B urkitt, M .C. ( 1927), P alaeolithic i ndustries f rom t he G reat O use g ravels a t a nd n ear S t. N eots, P roc. P rehist. S oc. E . A nglia, 5 : 1 66-73. T ester, P .J . ( 1952), S urface f inds f rom S tandardhill F arm , N ear E lham , A rchaeologia C antiana, 6 5: 8 5-9. T ratman, E .K., D onovan, D .T . &C ampbell, J .B . ( 1971), T he H yaena D en ( Wookey H ole), M endip H ills, S omerset, P roc. U niv. B ristol S pelaeological S oc., 1 2:3: 2 45-79. T uffreau , A . ( 1971), Q uelques a spects d u P aleolithique a ncient e t m oyen d ans l e n ord d e l a F rance ( Nord, P as-de-Calais), B ull. S oc. P rehist. N ord, N um. S pec. 8 . T uffreau , A . ( 1972), L es i ndustries m ousteriennes d u N ord d e l a F rance ( Nord, P as-de-Calais): ' e tat d es r echerches, S eptentrion, 2 : 3 7-45. T uffreau, A . ( 1976), L es c ivilisations d u p aleolithique i nferieur d ans l a r egion P arisienne e t e n N ormandie , i n H . d e L umley e d., L a P fehistoire F rancaise, C .N.R .S ., P aris, p p 9 47-55. ,

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T uffreau, A . ( 1976a), L es c ivilisations d u p algolithique m oyen d ans l a r egion P arisienne e t e n N ormandie, i n H . d e L umley e d., L a P rehistoire F rancaise, C .N.R.S., P aris, p p 1 105-9. T uffreau, A . ( 1976b), L es c ivilisations d u p algolithique m oyen d ans l e b assin d e l a S omme e t e n P icardie, i n H . d e L umley e d., L a P rehistoire F rancaise, C .N.R.S., P aris, p p 1 105-14. T uffreau, A . ( 1977), L e g isement p aleolithique i nfgrieur e t m oyen d e S aint-Just-en Chaussee ( Oise), C ahiers A rchgol. d e P icardie, 4 : 9 -29. T yldesley, J .A. ( 1981), A b out c oupe h andaxe f rom M aidenhead, B erks. A rchaeol. J ourn., 1 7: 8 9-90. T yldesley, J .A . O xoniensia, 4 8:

( 1983), T wo b out c oupe h andaxes f rom O xfordshire, 1 49-152.

T yldesley, J .A. ( 1983a), A b out c our ie h andaxe f rom B illingshurst, S ussex, S ussex A rchaeol. C ollect., 1 21: 1 83-4. T yldesley, J .A. ( 1984), H ants. F ield C lub, 4 1.

A b out c ouPe h andaxe f rom H ampshire,

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T yldesley, J .A. ( 1985), " The L atest H andaxes o f t he B ritish P alaeolithic: w ith r eference t o t heir a ffinities i n n orth-west E urope", u npublished D .Phil. t hesis, U niversity o f O xford. T yldesley, J .A . ( 1986), T he W olvercote C hannel H andaxe A ssemblage: a c omparative s tudy, B .A.R . B ritish S eries 1 53, O xford. U lrix-Closset, M . ( 1975), L e P aleolithique M oyen d ans l e B assin M osan e n B elgique ( Bibliotheque d e l a F aculte d e P hilosophie e t L ettres d e l 'Universite d e L iege, P ublications e xceptionelles, N o.3), E ditions U niversa, W etteren. W endorf, F . & S child, R . ( 1980), A cademic P ress, N ew Y ork.

P rehistory o f t he E astern S ahara,

W hallon, R . & B rown, J .A . ( eds) ( 1982), E ssays o n A rchaeological T ypology, C enter f or A merican A rcheology P ress, I llinois. W hite, R . ( 1983), C hanging l and-use p atterns a cross t he M iddle/Upper P alaeolithic t ransition: t he c omplex c ase o f t he p erigord, i n E . T rinkhaus e d., T he M ousterian l egacy: h uman b iocultural c hange i n t he U pper P leistocene, B .A.R . I nternational S eries 1 64, O xford, p p 13-21. W oodcock, A .G. S ussex, B .A.R.

( 1981), T he L ower a nd M iddle P alaeolithic P eriods i n B ritish s eries 9 4, O xford.

W oodcock, A .G. ( 1982), A P alaeolithic h andaxe f rom B lack R obin F arm , T he A rchaeology o f B ullock D own, E astbourne, E ast S ussex: t he d evelopment o f a l andscape, P . D rewitt e d., S ussex A rchaeological S ociety M onograph 1 , p4 2.

i n

W oodcock, A .G. ( 1983), A P alaeolithic h andaxe f rom t he A shdown F orest, S ussex A rchaeol. C ollect., 1 21: 1 85-6.

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W reschner, E . ( 1982), R ed o chre; t he t ransition b etween L ower a nd M iddle P alaeolithic a nd t he o rigin o f M odern M an, i n A . R onen e d., T he T ransition f rom L ower t o M iddle P alaeolithic a nd t he O rigin o f M odern M an, B .A .R . I nternational S eries 1 51, O xford, p p 3 5-9. W ymer, J .J . ( 1968), L ower P alaeolithic A rchaeology i n B ritain a s R epresented b y t he T hames V alley, J ohn B aker , L ondon. W ymer, J .J . ( 1976), A l ong b lade i ndustry f rom S proughton, S uffolk , E ast A nglian A rchaeology R eport 3 , S uffolk C ounty P lanning D ept, p p 1 -10. W ymer, J .J . N orwich.

( 1985), P alaeolithic S ites o f E ast A nglia, G eo B ooks ,

W ymer, J .J ., J acobi, R .M . &R ose, J . ( 1975), L ate D evensian a nd e arly F landrian b arbed p oints f rom S proughton, S uffolk , P roc. P rehist. S oc., 4 1: 2 35-41. Y oung, D .E . &B onnichsen , R . ( 1984), U nderstanding S tone T ools: a c ognitive a pproach , C enter f or t he S tudy o f E arly M an, U niversity o f M aine, M aine.

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A PPENDIX T HE " MOUSTERIAN C OMPLEX" A s t he b out c oup le b iface h as g enerally b een r egarded a s a M ousterian i mplement, t his A ppendix i ncludes a b rief r eview o f t he E uropean M ousterian t radition , a nd a n a ssessment o f t he e vidence f or t he M ousterian i n B ritain.

1 . T HE 1 MOUSTERIAN C OMPLEX" T he t erm M ousterian ( or M ousterien, f ormerly M oustierien) w as f irst u sed b y d e M ortillet t o d escribe a c ollection o f a rtifacts; t he m aterial r emains o f a " culture" f ound i n t he l ower r ockshelter a t L e M oustier, D ordogne. L ater i t w as w idely a dopted t o d escribe a ssemblages w hich, w hen c ompared i n t he m ost g eneral t erms w ith t heir p redecessors, s howed t he s ame b asic t ypological f eatures: a h igh i ncidence o f f lakes, s idescrapers, p oints a nd s ometimes h andaxes ( Bordes 1 977, 3 7). I n 1 953 B ordes ( 1953, 4 58) d efined t he " Mousterian" a s: ndustry o f f lakes, c omprising a v ariable p roportion o f ..an i s ide-scrapers, p oints a nd d enticulate t ools, a nd a lso b ifaces. T echnically t he f lakes m ay o r m ay n ot b e o f L evallois d ebitage a nd m ay o r m ay n ot h ave f aceted b utts.... " Mousterian i ndustries" o r g roups o f a rtifacts h ave b een i dentified b y v arious w orkers i n a b road g eographical d istribution a cross E urope ( McBurney 1 950), s tretching f rom t he I berian p eninsula t o b eyond U zbekistan, a nd f rom B ritain t o t he A frican M editerranean c oast ( Klein 1 969, 7 7), e xtending a t l east a s f ar s outh a s S udanese N ubia ( Wendorf a nd S child 1 980, 2 55, F ig. 7 .10). T he o verall s tandardisation w hich s eems t o l ink t he o ccurrences i ncludes t he a bove-mentioned g eneral t ypological u nity w ith t he u se o f p repared-core t echniques, a nd a n a pparent c onnection w ith t he f ollowing c ultural o r n on-artifactual f eatures ( Bordes 1 961a; R oe 1 981, 2 34): 1 . T he k nown M ousterian o ccurrences h ave a ll b een d ated t o w ithin t he s ame b road M iddle P alaeolithic t ime-band ( Bordes 1 977, 3 7); s tretching f rom t he l ate R iss g laciation t o t he l ate-middle W ürm ( c. 1 50,000-30 ,000 B P). 2 . A f requent a ssociation w ith N eanderthal r emains. I t i s n ow r ealised t hat t his r elationship h as b een o ver-emphasised, a nd i t m ust n ot b e a ssumed t hat o nly N eanderthal M an m ade M ousterian i ndustries, o r t hat h e n ever m ade a nything e lse. 3 . T he a bility t o e xploit m ore m arginal a reas. 4 . A t endency t o o ccupy c ave a nd r ockshelter s ites t o a f ar g reater e xtent t han i n a ny p revious p eriod. A s t he d iscovery

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o f m ore o pen-air M ousterian s ites o ccurs i n r egions w here c aves a nd r ockshelters a re a lso a vailable ( e.g. R igauld 1 969), i t s eems t hat t his p reference m ay a lso h ave b een o ver-stressed ( see W hite 1 983, 14-5; M ellars 1 969, 1 48-9). 5 . C ertain l ess t angible " religious" o r a esthetic d evelopments. F or e xample, t here i s t he e arliest e vidence f or t he b urial o f t he d ead w ith c ertain a ssociated p araphernalia ( S. B inford 1 968; H arrold 1 980, 1 99-201), a lthough t his s hould n ot n ecessarily b e r egarded a s a n i ndication o f a " religious" a wareness. A n i ncreased " aesthetic" a wareness ( cf. C onkey 1 983) i s s uggested b y a n a pparent a nd a r epeated u se o f r ed o chre ( Wreschner 1 982). G iven t he w ide g eographical a nd t emporal s pread o f t he s ites, a nd a ll t he a ssociated d ifferences i n c limate, a vailable r esources, e tc., i t i s n ot s urprising t hat a c omplex p attern o f v ariation i s o bservable w ithin t he g eneral M ousterian t radition, w ith m ajor r egional s ub-groups b ased a lmost e ntirely o n t ypological d ifferences b eing i dentified b y v arious a uthorities. F or e xample, M cBurney ( 1950 , 1 73-83) p ointed o ut m ajor t ypological d ifferences i n t he a ssemblages o f t he " Western" a nd t he " Eastern" M ousterian t ypes. O n s imilar b ut m ore d etailed t ypological g rounds m ore l ocalised M ousterian f acies h ave b een d efined, f or e xample t he " Alpine" a nd " Vasconian" M ousterian t ypes, a nd " Mousteroid" i ndustries h ave b een i dentified a t s ites s uch a s S hoei T ong K eou i n C hina, o r T eshik T ash i n U zbekistan ( Bordes 1 977, 3 7). A v arying t echnological f eature w hich c uts a cross a ll t he m ajor M ousterian t ypological s ub-divisions i s t he p resence o r a bsence o f t he L evalloisian t echnique; i t s eems l ikely t hat t he u se o f t his f laking m ethod w as t o a g reat e xtent d ependent u pon t he a vailability o f g ood s upplies o f r aw k napping m aterial, t he L evalloisian m ethod b eing m ore w asteful t han t he a lternative d isc-core t echnique ( Bordes 1 961a, 8 05). A c onsideration o f t he n umber o f s ites c lassed " Mousterian" p rompted B ordes ( 1961a, 8 04) t o s tate:

a s

I t i s n ow k nown t hat t he t erm M ousterian e ncompasses a o f c ultural g roups, s ome c losely r elated, o thers n ot s o r elated o r e ven o f d ifferent o rigin.

g enerally

c omplex c losely

G iven t he w ide r ange o f s ites n ow c overed b y t he t erm i t s eems u nlikely t hat a m ore p recise d efinition o f " Mousterian" t han t hat o f B ordes ( 1953, 4 58; q uoted a bove) i s p ossible, a nd a s B ordes h imself ( 1977, 3 7) h as p ointed o ut: 1 . A s tricter c hronological d efinition -the i nclusion o f a ll c omplexes o ccurring d uring t he f irst h alf o f t he l ast g laciation - would e xclude i nterglacial M ousterian i ndustries s uch a s E hringsdorf o r R issian i ndustries s uch a s R igabe, b ut i nclude t he t ypologically d ifferent M icoquian s ites. A ltering t he d efinition s lightly t o i nclude a ll " cultures" o ccurring d uring t he p eriod b etween t he A cheulian a nd t he U pper P alaeolithic a lso f ails, a s s ome M ousterian i ndustries a re c learly c ontemporary w ith t he A cheulian, o thers w ith t he b eginning o f t he U pper P alaeolithic.

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2 .

A s imple t ypological a pproach, t he i dentification o f a n a ssemblage c ontaining f lakes, s idescrapers a nd p oints w ith o ccasional h andaxes a s M ousterian ( Bordes 1 977, 3 7) d oes n ot s olve t he p roblem , a s a ssemblages n ot n ormally c onsidered M ousterian c an b e i ncluded. A m ore s pecific t ypological d efinition c ould h ave a c orrespondingly e xclusive e ffect f or c ertain a ssemblages g enerally c onsidered M ousterian.

3 . A ny s uggestion t hat t he M ousterian c an b e i dentified a s t he t ool-kit o f N eanderthal M an i s n ow k nown t o b e i naccurate, a s t ypically " Mousterian" a rtifacts h ave o n o ccasion b een f ound i n a ssociation w ith H omo s apiens s apiens. T he o nly p ossible w ay t o d efine a s ite o r i mplement a s b elonging t o t he " Mousterian" t radition t herefore s eems t o b e t o c onsider a ll t he a pproaches o utlined a bove, w ith a n e valuation o f p ossible p arallels f rom o ther s ites, b earing i n m ind B ordes' s tatement ( 1977, 3 7) t hat: T he M ousterian i s a c ross-section r easons o f c onvenience t hrough P alaeolithic m aterial c ultures. t hrough t ime, s o i t i s i mpossible s patial l imits o f t he M ousterian. aM ousterian s tage o f e volution.

m ade b y t he h uman m ind f or t he c ontinuous e volution o f T his c ross-section s lants t o d efine t he t emporal a nd W hat i s p ossible i s t o d efine

2 . T HE M OUSTERIAN O F N ORTH-WEST E UROPE T he M ousterian o f n orth-west E urope h as b een i dentified b y s ome w orkers ( e.g. M cBurney 1 950) a s p art o f a g eneral W estern M ousterian t radition, d istinguished f rom t he n eighbouring E astern M ousterian v ariant o n b road t ypological a nd t echnological g rounds, t he m ost o bvious d ifferences b eing t he v irtual a bsence o f f oliate o r l eaf-shaped a rtifacts f rom t he W estern a ssemblage, a nd t he f requent u se o f a d efinite p lano-convex r etouch o ften w ith i nvasive s cars i n t he E astern v ariant. M ore c losely d efined r egional v ariations h ave s ince b een r ecognised w ithin t his b road W estern c omplex. I n t he P grigord r egion o f s outh-west F rance, t he a rea w here t he " Mousterian" w as f irst i dentified, B ourgon a nd B ordes h ave d efined f ive d istinct s ub-groups o r f acies o f t he ( Western) M ousterian, o n t he b asis o f s tatistically o bserved t ypological a nd t echnological d ifferences i n t he c omposition o f t he v arious a ssemblages, u sing t he s trict s ysteme B ordes m ethod o f c lassification ( Bordes a nd B ourgon 1 951; B ordes 1 953; 1 961a; 1 968, 9 8-105; 1 977). T his t axonomic g ro lping i s a s f ollows l ( after B ordes 1 968, 9 8-105; B ordes a nd d e S onneville-Bordes 1 970): C harentien g roup:( a) F errassie t ype:

M any

r acloirs;

f ew

t ransverse

f requent u se o f t he L evalloisian t echnique ( b) Q uina t ype: M any r acloirs, m any t ransverse i nfrequent u se o f t he L evalloisian t echnique

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s crapers; s crapers;

D enticulate M ousterian:-Many d enticulates a nd f ew s idescrapers ( poorly m ade)

n otched

f lakes;

M ousterian o f A cheulian T radition:( a) T ype A : H andaxes a lways p resent; a lso b acked k nives, d enticulates a nd s crapers ( b) T ype B : F ewer h andaxes ( poorly m ade); m any d enticulates a nd b acked k nives; a c ertain n umber o f " Upper P alaeolithic" t ools ( burins, a wls, r etouched b lades e tc.) T ypical M ousterian:-Rather n egative c haracteristics, o f a lmost e verything i n v ariable p roportions

a

l ittle

A lthough i ndividual w orkers m ay o ccasionally h ave d ifficulty i n a ssigning a n i mplement t o i ts c orrect s ysteme B ordes c ategory, t he m ajor d ivisions o utlined a bove h ave b een w idely a ccepted f or t he P erigord a nd a djacent a reas i n t he A quitaine B asin. T he i nterpretation o f t he f acies h as c aused m ore p roblems, t he t hree m ost w idely a ccepted t heories b eing t hat t hey r epresent e thnographic o r " tribal" v ariation ( Bordes a nd d e S onneville-Bordes 1 970, 6 4-5), t hat t hey a re t he r esult o f f unctional d ifferences a t a ctivity s pecific s ites ( Binford 1 973; B inford a nd B inford 1 966), o r t hat t hey i nvolve a t l east s ome d egree o f c hronological p atterning a nd p rogression ( Mellars 1 969). O utside t he A quitaine B asin i t i s a pparent t hat t he s ame f ive t axonomic u nits a re n ot a lways a pplicable, p erhaps d ue t o c hronological d iversity a nd t o t he d emands o f d ifferent e nvironments. I ndeed, a lthough t hey m ay h elp t o d emonstrate t he g eneral s tructure o f a n a ssemblage, t hey m ay a ctually d isguise c ertain s tylistic c haracteristics. T his m ay b e d emonstrated b y a c onsideration o f t he M iddle P alaeolithic o f N orth A frica. A lthough t he i ndustries c an b e c lassified i nto B ordes' f ive P erigordian v ariants, W endorf a nd S child ( 1980 , 2 48) h ave s hown t hat t he e normous v ariation i n f orm o f p edunculate t ools a nd b ifacial f oliates i n t he a ssemblage i s e ntirely h idden i n B ordes' t ypology ( see a lso T ixier 1 968). A s W endorf a nd S child h ave s hown, t he f act t hat B ordes' s ystem c an b e a pplied o utside t he P erigord t o i ndicate g eneral a ssemblage s tructure d oes d emonstrate a c ertain c lassificatory v alue f or t he s ystem , a lthough p ossibly o nly o f a v ery b road k ind. W ithin F rance, d e L umley, f ollowing B ordes' c lassification a nd c umulative-graph m ethod, h as i dentified m ore t han a d ozen l ocal M ousterian v ariants i n t he M idi M editerranean ( de L umley 1 971, 3 58-63), w hile w ork i n t he n orth o f F rance h as s hown t hat n ot a ll f ive P erigordian v ariants c an b e i dentified w ithin t he P aris B asin; e ven w hen t he s ame t ype i s p resent t here a re o bservable s tylistic a nd t ypological d ifferences b etween t he " northern" a nd t he " Perigordian" o r " classic" v ersions.

3 . T HE B RITISH M OUSTERIAN F or c limatic r easons i t s eems u nlikely t hat B ritain w as c ontinuously o ccupied f rom t he e nd o f t he I pswichian I nterglacial t hroughout t he D evensian G laciation. I t i s a pparent t hat t here w ould h ave b een a t l east i ntermittent a ccess t o, a nd a m eans o f e xit f rom , B ritain a t t his t ime, t he l and-bridge b eing a t i ts w idest d uring t he p eriods o f l owered s ea l evel. A s l owered s ea l evel o ccurs a t t imes o f i ntense c old, i t m ight b e a ssumed t hat s uch p eriods w ere c haracterised b y a g radual

1 96

r etreat o f f lora a nd f auna t o m ore t emperate r egions, m oving e ither s outhwards i nto p resent-day F rance, o r ( though i t s eems l ess l ikely f rom t he a rchaeological r ecord) e astwards i nto T he N etherlands. O ccupation o f B ritain m ight t herefore b e e xpected t o b e s poradic a nd s omewhat s parse, w ith p eriods o f m aximum p opulation c oinciding w ith p eriods o f w armth. T he e vidence f or t he M ousterian i n t hree m ajor c lasses:

B ritain

i s

u sually

d ivided

i nto

A . P ossible " Archaic-" o r " Proto-Mousterian" a ssemblages B . R easonably t ypical M ousterian o f A cheulian T radition ( MAT o r M TA) a ssemblages C . O ccurrences o f b out c oupe b ifaces. T hese t hree l ines o f e vidence a re d iscussed i n f urther d etail b elow.

A . T he " Archaic-" o r " Proto-Mousterian" T he " classic f lake i ndustry" r ecovered f rom ( ? W olstonian i nterstadial) l ake s ediments a t H igh L odge, S uffolk, c ontains a h igh p roportion o f e legant s crapers, t ypologically s imilar t o c ertain F rench C harentian p ieces ( the f ull C harentian h as n ot y et b een e ncountered i n B ritain). H owever, n o t race o f a ny p repared-core f laking t echnique h as b een d etected a t t his s ite. W hile d eploring t he l ack o f p ublication o f t he r ecent w ork a t H igh L odge, R oe ( 1982, 1 86) h as p rovisionally r ecognised t his s ite a s a t ransitional i ndustry, l ying o n t he L ower-Middle P alaeolithic b oundary. I t h as b een s uggested b y v arious C ontinental a uthors ( e.g. d e L umley 1 971, 3 53-6) t hat i t m ight r easonably, o n t he g rounds o f b oth d ating a nd t ypology, b e c ompared w ith c ertain F rench " Rissian" T ayacian o ccurrences ( such a s L a M icoque L evels II, I V; I B aume B onne, B aume d e P eyrads a nd G rotte d e R igabe, P rovence; d e L umley 1 969). T here a re n o s imilar s ites i n B ritain; a lthough b oth t he H oxne U pper I ndustry a nd S toke N ewington h ave m any w ell-made f lake t ools a nd l ittle o r n o p repared c ore f laking, t hey a re h andaxe i ndustries a nd c annot b e r egarded a s M ousterian. A s y et, t here i s n o e vidence t hat t he " Archaic M ousterian" d evelops w ithin B ritain, a nd i t i s n ot p articularly r elevant t o a d iscussion o f t he b out c oupe h andaxe t ype, a s n o b out c oupe b ifaces h ave b een f ound i n t hese i ndustries.

B . T he M ousterian o f A cheulian T radition T he t erm M ousterian o f A cheulian T radition ( conventionally a bbreviated t o M TA o r M AT) w as f irst u sed b y P eyrony ( 1920) t o d escribe a n i ndustry c haracterised b y t he p resence o f c ordiform b ifaces a nd b lunted-backed k nives ( couteaux ä d os a battu) e ncountered i n l ayers G a nd H o f t he l ower r ockshelter, L e M oustier. I t w as a dopted b y B ordes t o d escribe h is h andaxe M ousterian v ariant. T his h e d ivided i nto t wo d istinct s ub-groups, t ype B b eing d eveloped f rom t ype A a nd a ppearing c hronologically l ater, o n t he t hreshold o f t he U pper P alaeolithic ( Bordes 1 961a, 8 04; B ordes a nd d e S onneville-Bordes 1 970, 6 3):

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a . S UB-TYPE A : V ariable p ercentage o f s idescrapers ( c. 2 0-40% o f t otal a ssemblage), d enticulate t ools ( c. 1 0-15%), a bsence o r l ow p ercentage o f Q uina-type s crapers, v ariable p ercentage o f h andaxes ( c. 8 -40%) a nd o f b acked k nives ( rarely n umerous). V ariable p ercentage o f L evallois f laking. b .

S UB-TYPE B : L ow p ercentage o f s idescrapers ( c. 4 -10%), n one b eing Q uina t ype. L ow p ercentage o f h andaxes ( seldom m ore t han 4 -5%, a nd n one t riangular, o ften " degenerate" f orms), h igh p ercentage o f d enticulates a nd b acked k nives ( up t o 2 0%), a nd g ood p ercentage o f " Upper P alaeolithic t ype" t ools: e ndscrapers, b urins, b orers, t runcated f lakes, b lades a nd b ladelet c ores. T his s ub-type i s c hronologically y ounger t han t he p receding o ne ( occurring a fter t he W ürm I /II i nterstadial), a nd d erives f rom i t. V ariable p ercentage o f L evallois f laking.

T he M TA b ifaces a re t ypically w ell-made f lat t riangular f orms ( Bordes 1 961a, 8 04, F igure 1 .14) a nd c ordiforms ( ibid, F igure 1 .12). A s i ts n ame i mplies, B ordes f elt t hat t he M TA w as i n s ome w ay d erived f rom a n A cheulian b ackground, p ossibly r epresenting " no m ore t han t he c ontinuation, d uring W ürmian t imes, o f l ate A cheulian" ( Bordes 1 977, 3 8): T he M TA.... i s l ogically d erived f rom t he U pper A cheulian. T he o nly q uestion i s w hether i t p asses t hrough a n i ntermediate M icoquian s tage o r w hether i t e volved d irectly, t he M icoquian b eing i n p art c ontemporaneous w ith t he o ld M ousterian o f A cheulian t radition. I n i ts c lassic f orm t he M TA a ppears t o b e c onfined t o p arts o f n orth-western E urope. I t w as f irst i dentified i n F rance, w here i t h ad b een f ound i n t he A quitaine B asin, t he " home r egion" o f t he c lassic v ariant, a nd i n a s lightly d ifferent f orm i n n orthern F rance, w here i t i s f ound i mmediately b elow t he e arliest d eposits o f Y ounger L oess, d ated t o t he v ery b eginning o f t he F inal G laciation. B ordes ( 1954, 4 41) h as s uggested t hat a f lat-butted t riangular h andaxe " biface t riangulaire p lat" c an b e r egarded a s a t ype f ossil f or t his n orthern F rench M TA. T he M TA h as a lso b een r ecognised i n B elgium ( Ulrix-Closset 1 975), a nd m ore t entatively i n B ritain. O utside t his a rea t he e vidence f or t he M TA i s m ore d oubtful, a lthough t he r ecent r ecognition o f t he a pparently M TA G erman s ite o f L enderscheid ( Luttropp 1 975) a nd a f ew s tray f inds o f M ousterian-style b ifaces s uggest t hat i t m ight b e p resent, p robably n ot i n i ts c lassic f orm, i n G ermany. F urther o ccasional s ites h ave b een t entatively i dentified i n I taly a nd i n S pain b ut t hese c annot b e r egarded a s e ntirely t ypical M TA o ccurrences. M TA a ssemblages h ave b een i dentified i n B ritain b y d irect c omparison w ith c lassic F rench M ousterian i ndustries. I n p articular, i t i s t he p resence o f c ordiform a nd s ub-cordiform b ifaces, u sually c ombined w ith p repared-core f laking t echniques a nd t he a bsence o f e longated/pointed " Acheulian" h andaxe-types, w hich h as l ed t o t he r ecognition o f s everal B ritish M TA s ites. T hese m ay b e s ummarised:

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L ittle P axton

o pen a ir

e arly D evensian

? total, m ixed w ith 1 5+ b ifaces, 2 00+ f lakes

P an F arm

o pen a ir

l ate I pswichian o r l ater

? total, m ixed, 6 40+ a t l east 4 4 b ifaces

I pswich: B ramford R d

o pen a ir

( ?earlier) D evensian

? total, m ixed 6 0+ b ifaces

O ldbury R ockshelters

c ave/ o pen

? early D evensian

1 00+ a rtifacts, 5 0+ b ifaces

C reswell C rags

c ave

m id-Devensian

? total, m ixed, s mall, m ore t han o ne a ssemblage?

K ent's C avern

c ave

D evensian

m ixed a rtifacts, s mall s urviving s ample c . 5 0 M ousterian a rtifacts

H yaena D en

c ave

D evensian

m ixed, ? 35+ M ousterian a rtifacts i ncluding c . 1 b ifaces

C oygan C ave

c ave

m id-Devensian

? total, a t l east 3 b ifaces

I t w ould a ppear t hat t he M TA i s t he o nly M ousterian v ariant p resent i n B ritain. H owever, t he p ossibility t hat o ther M ousterian f acies a re p resent, d isguised w ithin t he a rchaeological r ecord, i s w orthy o f s ome c onsideration. A lthough i t s eems f airly c lear t hat t here a re n o c lassic C harentian o r D enticulate i mplements p resent, i t s hould p erhaps b e q uestioned w hether o ne m ight r easonably e xpect t o f ind s uch c lassic s outhern F rench t ool-types a t t he n orth-western e xtremity o f E urope. E vidence f rom n orthern F rance, g eographically m uch c loser t o B ritain a nd a p ossible r oute i nto s outhern E ngland, s uggests t hat t his m ay n ot b e s o, s ince t he f ull r ange o f f ive v ariants i s n ot f ound t here. T he P aris B asin h as e vidence f or t he M TA , T ypical M ousterian a nd a M ousterian r ich i n d enticulates a t t he b ottom o f t he r ecent l oams ( Tuffreau 1 976a), w hile i n P icardy o nly M TA a nd T ypical M ousterian h ave b een r ecognised ( Tuffreau 1 976b). E ven w hen t he s ame a ssemblage t ype, f or e xample M TA, i s f ound, t here a re o bservable s tylistic a nd t ypological d ifferences. I t i s t herefore p ossible t hat s ome M ousterian o ccurrences, p articularly t hose r ecovered a s i solated f inds o r i n s mall g roups l acking d iagnostic a rtifacts, h ave b een w rongly c lassified a s r ather a typical M TA, o r m ay h ave b een c ompletely m is-classified a s e arlier o r ( less l ikely) l ater p rehistoric p ieces. C ertainly s ome o f t he B ritish " MTA" s ites, m ost p articularly t he C reswell C rags o ccurrences, w hich l ack w ell-made c ordiform b ifaces, c annot b e r egarded a s e ntirely t ypical M TA, a s t he t erm w ould b e u sed i n F rance.

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U nfortunately, t he s ituation h as b een w ell-excavated B ritish s ites w ith a c omponent.

c omplicated b y t he l ack o f c omplete f lake/flake t ool

T he l arger B ritish M TA a ssemblages h ave b een r ecovered f rom t he o pen-air s ites o f L ittle P axton, P an F arm a nd I pswich. I t i s d ifficult t o d etermine w hether t hese p rolific f ind-spots r epresent a ctual o ccupation s ites r ather t han t he m ore r andom a rtifact s catters w hich m ight i ndicate a t ransit c amp, b ut t he l arge a mount o f m aterial p erhaps i ndicates t hat t hey a re m ore t han t emporary. A ll t hree s hare t he c ommon f eatures o f b eing r elatively l ow-lying, c lose t o w ater ( a f eature r ecognised b y D .M. C ollins i n C ollins a nd C ollins 1 970 a s aM TA t rait; o n t he o ther h and r iver t erraces a re p erhaps t he a reas w here o ne m ight e xpect s uch s ites t o s urvive), a ll h ave a q uantity o f f laking w aste, a ll s how t he u se o f p repared-core t echniques a nd a ll a re d ated t o t he l ate I pswichian/early D evensian. T here i s a n o bvious c oncentration o f f ind-spots a long t he p resent-day S olent p lus t he I sle o f W ight, w hich m ight p erhaps i ndicate t hat m ore m aterial h as b een l ost u nder t he E nglish C hannel, a nd t hat m ight t end t o l end c redence t o t he p ossibility o f a l ink w ith F rance. B ritain h as r elatively f ew c aves s uitable f or o ccupation. T hose w hich a re k nown a re f airly s mall a nd a re a lso s ituated i n m arginal a reas a way f rom g ood s ources o f f lint, p rincipally i n t he M idlands, p arts o f W ales, D evon a nd S omerset. " Mousterian" m aterial h as b een r ecovered f rom a ll t hese r egions, b ut t he c ollections a re g enerally s mall ( due a t l east i n p art t o t he w ay t hat t hey w ere c ollected), a nd i t c annot b e a ssumed a t e ach s ite t hat t hey r epresent o ne u nmixed a ssemblage. T he l ack o f l arge/complete s amples p revents a ny s tatistical a nalysis o f t he a ssemblages. W hether t hese f inds a re t o b e i dentified a s M ousterian t ransit c amps i s n ot c lear. T he d ates f or t heir o ccupation r ange, o n s omewhat s lender e vidence, f rom ? early t o m id-Devensian, a nd i ndicate t hat, a s m ight b e e xpected, t hey w ere n ot u sed d uring t he c older p eriods. C ertainly t he i solation o f t he s ites s uggests t hat a g reat d eal o f s urface m aterial t hat m ight l ink t hem, p ossibly i ncluding m ajor o pen-air s ites, h as b een d estroyed o r r emains u ndiscovered. O ldbury s eems t o h ave b een a M ousterian s ite a ssociated w ith r ock s helters, n ow e roded a way. I t t oo h as y ielded a c omparatively l arge a ssemblage, b ut i s a h igher-level o ccurrence, p ossibly c hosen f or t he s helter o ffered b y t he s mall c aves. I n F rance t he M TA h as b een d ivided i nto t wo t ypes, T ype A a nd T ype B , T ype B b eing d eveloped f rom , a nd d ated l ater t han, T ype A . I t w ould b e u nwise t o a ttempt t o c lass t he B ritish M TA m aterial i n t his w ay, a s t here a re n o c omplete s amples a vailable a nd m any o f t he e xisting c ollections a re n ot l arge e nough t o b e d iagnostic. H owever, i t i s w orth n oting t hat a ll h ave a f airly h igh p ercentage o f b ifaces ( probably d ue t o s elective c ollecting a s t here i s a g eneral l ack o f f lake t ools a nd w aste) w hich m ight t end t o s uggest t hat t hey b elong t o T ype A . M orphologically, t he m ajority o f t he b ifaces a re r elatively s mall r ounded c ordiforms a nd s ub-cordiforms, s imilar t o h andaxes r ecovered f rom s outh-west F rench M TA a ssemblages ( Mellars 1 974, 6 4). T he f lat-butted t riangular b ifaces i dentified b y B ordes ( 1954, 41) a s a 4 t ype f ossil f or t he n orthern F rench M TA s eem t o b e m issing f rom t he a ssemblages, b ut s ome d o c ontain b out c oupe h andaxes. T he t ypical M ousterian f lake t ools a re w ell r epresented, s crapers b eing t he m ost c ommon t ype. A ll t he l arger a ssemblages s how e vidence o f t he L evallois

2 00

t echnique. M ellars ( 1974, 6 2-5) h as s uggested t hat t he B ritish M ousterian s ites c an b e d ivided o n t he g rounds o f ( mainly b iface) t ypology a nd d ating e vidence i nto a n e arlier M ousterian, a ssociated w ith b out c oupe h andaxes ( Little P axton, K ent's C avern, C oygan C ave [ but r ecent d ating e vidence f or t his s ite c ontradicts t his a ssumption o f a n e arly d ate]), a nd l ater s ites w ithout t he c lassic b out c oupe f orm ( including O ldbury, W ookey a nd C reswell C rags). T his c onflicts s omewhat w ith R oe's ( 1981, 2 54-67) r ecognition o f b out c oupe h andaxes a t a ll t hese s ites e xcept C reswell. O bviously, t his d ifference o f o pinion d epends t o a g reat e xtent u pon t he d efinition o f t he b out c oupe b iface.

C . T he b out c oupe h andaxe-type S ee t he d iscussion i n t he t ext a bove.

2 01