The function of small tools in Europe during the Middle Pleistocene: The case of Marathousa 1 (Megalopolis, Greece)

Small flake industries are a commonly identified component of Lower Paleolithic archaeological assemblages in Eurasia. Utilized as blanks for tools, at many sites, their functions often poorly understood. Here we present preliminary traceological analysis lithics from Marathousa 1 (MAR-1; Megalopolis, Greece). MAR-1 dates to ca. 400-500 ka BP and is one the oldest open-air sites South-Eastern Europe. It has yielded lithic assemblage made almost exclusively small-sized flakes found direct association with diverse megafauna including elephants, hippo deer.
 For this study, total 223 artifacts were sampled taphonomical 13 functional analysis. The exceptionally well-preserved only slightly affected by chemical alterations. They therefore ideal techno-morpho-functional Use-wear traces confirm on-site butchery. Our results also that plants worked site, whereas technological traces, rarely observed on age, can be seen number specimens. Whereas both retouched unretouched tools contribute significantly toolkit, shapes varied, phase study do not appear morphologically or technologically standardized. However, backing (natural retouched) opposite sharp edge numerous When compared sparse data available small Europe Levant, include wide variety techno-functional types. To fully begin understand diversity, toolkits must considered relation rest accompanying contextual data, information technological, archaeozoological, palaeoenvironmental datasets.