Original scientific paper
Lithic analysis of materials from Mujina Pećina
Ivor Karavanić
Vladimir Golubić
Dražen Kurtanjek
Rajna Šošić
Jožica Zupanič
Abstract
This article contains the results of typological, technological
and petrographic analysis of lithics gathered during research
conducted from 1995 to 2000 and an overview of chert deposits in the nearer and farther vicinity of the cave called Mujina Pećina
at Kaštela. All lithics found in the layers of Mujina Pecina belong to
the Mousterian material culture, so given this fact and the results
of chronometric dating (45000-39000 years before the present),
they can unambiguously be attributed to Neanderthals. This paper
presents the results of detailed analysis of lithics from layers B and
C and D1 and D2. All production phases were present at the site,
which functioned as a workshop. Products are also present which
testify to the use of the Levallois technique. The most frequent
types of tools are partially retouched pieces and denticulates and
notches. The Mousterian culture people temporarily residing in
Mujina Pećina used the raw materials from the cave’s vicinity, but
perhaps from farther afield as well (from Svilaja). The Neanderthals
from Mujina Pećina successfully adapted the production of their
tools to various types of the most easily available raw materials,
which indicates the high degree of intelligence, social cohesion
and adaptability of these people.
Keywords
technology; typology; petrographic analysis; Mousterian; Mujina Pećina; Dalmatia; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
31101
URI
Publication date:
1.12.2008.
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