LEXA Seminar: How to identify palaeolithic weaponry with an experimental approach, Dr Justin Coppe

The Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology (LEXA) is organizing a seminar series, Advances in Experimental Archaeology. These monthly seminars will showcase cutting-edge research in experimental archaeology from both within ICArEHB and the broader field. The topics cover a wide range of experimental approaches, focusing on the technologies and processes that have shaped human evolution and the archaeological record.
More info and registrations: https://www.icarehb.com/lexa/

How to identify palaeolithic weaponry with an experimental approach.
Dr Justin Coppe, University of Liège
07/01/2025

Due to their central role in the lifestyles of Palaeolithic hunter-gatherer societies, Palaeolithic weapons and hunting practices have fascinated researchers since the beginning of the discipline. However, accurate identification of weapon elements in archaeological assemblages, as well as adequate insight into the design and use of weapons, has proven difficult. Stone points are brittle materials that fracture upon impact. These breaks preserve valuable information that can be exploited. However, in view of the numerous parameters implied in the breakage, their exploitation has constituted an important methodological challenge from the start. To do so we need a complete decomposition of the problem and simultaneous work on each of the different aspects. The experimental approach allows such a structured study and permits the isolation of the key parameters implied in impact phenomenon and the understanding of their interaction. Understanding these phenomena is one of the keys to revealing Palaeolithic past hunting equipment and behaviours.