Lithic Analysis in Southwestern France

Lithics from the Mousterian site of La Quina in the Charente region of southern France are used to add to our understanding of Neanderthal technology and subsistence. A comparison of morphological variability, technique of reduction, and reduction intensity for tools from different strata adds a historical dimension to this study. Through these comparisons, the author is able to suggest changes in raw material procurement strategies. This is original research based on six years of sampling at the important Palaeolithic site.