Resumen de New Approach to Analysis the Middle Paleolithic Points of the Iranian Plateau: Style vs. Environment
Nasim Feizi, Hamed Vahdati Nasab, Thomas Wynn
Symmetry is a morphological variable that has cognitive significance and is among the most important factors for the manufacture and function of a lithic point. The central idea of this research is that symmetry, alongside the other quantitative variables, plays a role in determining the changing nature of lithic points in the Middle Paleolithic. Accordingly, this investigation takes the form of a case-study of Iranian Middle Paleolithic points from five major open-air sites of Mirak, Chah-e Jam, Mehran Plain, Kouhrang and Bandepey. The methodological approach taken in this study is a mixed methodology based on measuring the deviation from symmetry using 3D comparison and statistical analysis. Further quantitative analysis showed that there are three types of lithic points in the sites, although these types do not constitute regional “styles”. In addition, the availability of raw material plays a crucial role in determining the morphology of lithic points.
