Raw materials, technology and use-wear analysis of scrapers and points of the rock shelter of Benzú

The rock shelter of Benzú, located in the Atlantic-Mediterranean geohistorical region of North Africa and the vicinity of the Strait of Gibraltar, presents a deep stratigraphic sequence dated, using various techniques, to a Middle and Late Pleistocene geo-archaeological context. We present a functional study of the site's Mode 3-Middle Palaeolithic scrapers and points, evaluating the raw materials, the technology and the use of these products. It is confirmed that these artefacts present no major differences in terms of use, being used as scrapers to process meat, hides, wood and fish, results which rule out the use of the points as projectiles. This suggests that they were used for domestic purposes, and sheds light on the use of Mode 3-Middle Palaeolithic technology in North Africa.

Fil: Clemente Conte, Ignacio. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; España

Fil: Ramos Muñoz, José. Universidad de Cádiz; España

Fil: Domínguez Bella, Salvador. Universidad de Cádiz; España

Fil: Vijande Vila, Eduardo. Universidad de Cádiz; España

Fil: Barrena Tocino, Antonio. Universidad de Cádiz; España

Fil: Almisas Cruz, Sergio. Universidad de Cádiz; España

Fil: Bernal Casasola, Darío. Universidad de Cádiz; España

Fil: Fernández Sánchez, Diego. Universidad de Cádiz; España

Fil: Fernández Ropero, María del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina