Pages: 125-143

The article reviews data on the use of the method of raw material units in the study of Palaeolithic industries. In scientific literature, this method is also called transformation analysis (TA) or minimum analytical nodule analysis (MANA). This approach is aimed at the identification from a broad technological context of industry groups of lithics produced from the same raw material blocks on the basis of their color, texture and another macro- and microscopically seen petrographic attributes. The method of raw material unit analysis finds application within the framework of several derections in the study of archaeological complexes. The first of them is the study of the structure and taphonomy of cultural deposits. The second one deals with the reconstruction of human mobility and subsistence systems on the basis of raw material transportation and transformation patterns.

Keywords: raw material unit analysis, transformation analysis, spatial analysis, transportation of stone raw material, petrographic attributes of artefacts, lithic technology, refitting

Information about authorvs:

Natalia Belousova (Novosibirsk, Russian Federation). Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Akademik Lavrentiev Ave., 17, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russian Federation; Altai State University. Lenin Ave., 61, Barnaul, 656049, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Alexander Fedorchenko (Novosibirsk, Russian Federation). Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Akademik Lavrentiev Ave., 17, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Vyacheslav Slavinskiy (Novosibirsk, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Akademik Lavrentiev Ave., 17, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]