Archaeologists studying Middle Palaeolithic Neanderthal assemblages in the Pyrenean foothills hypothesized that the presence of high-quality flint sourced over 100 kilometers away indicated planned, long-distance seasonal migrations. However, recent micro-wear analysis of the debitage reveals that these non-local flint tools exhibit re-sharpening profiles identical to those of locally available quartzite tools, which were discarded after brief, opportunistic usage. Researchers reason that if the distant flint had been acquired during arduous, direct foraging trips, it would have been carefully curated—re-sharpened repeatedly to maximize utility before abandonment. Consequently, they claim that the non-local flint was acquired through passive, down-the-line gift exchange between adjacent bands rather than direct long-distance mobility.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the researchers' argument regarding the mode of acquisition of the non-local flint?
- Neanderthal groups migrating along seasonal routes passed directly through primary flint outcrops where high-grade raw material was so abundant that tools could be discarded freely without conservation.Cevap
- BPyrenean Neanderthal bands regularly engaged in social gatherings at territorial boundaries where items were routinely transferred between neighboring groups.
- CMicro-wear analysis techniques used on fine-grained flint are slightly less precise when applied to coarse-grained metamorphic rocks like quartzite.
- DExcavations at unrelated Upper Palaeolithic sites in southern Europe have revealed evidence of long-distance transport of marine shells used exclusively for symbolic adornment.
- EThe rapid rate of physical edge degradation on quartzite tools causes them to lose functionality faster than flint tools when used on hard organic substances.