Considering the function of Middle Palaeolithic blade technologies through an examination of experimental blade edge angles

Over the last three decades a number of archaeological investigations have demonstrated the widespread use of both laminar and Levallois methods of blade manufacture throughout the European Middle Palaeolithic. These strategies are observed in varying quantities in both Early and Late Middle Palaeolithic contexts, and have been documented in a number of archaeological horizons concurrently and in isolation of one another. However, despite their (co-)occurrence investigations have not considered the potential practical benefits of either blade strategy, and the actual functionality of these blade manufacturing techniques. Using an experimental dataset, this article investigates differences in the function of both strategies through a consideration of their edge angle, an important functional attribute of lithic artefacts. A null hypothesis of 'no difference' was examined through a statistical framework to assess the degree of variance between both blade strategies. Analyses demonstrate considerable difference in both the distribution of edge angles produced, and the mean edge angle values observed. Through the analytical framework it can be demonstrated that both blade production methods would have provided distinct differences for past hominin populations, with respect to their microfracturing properties and attrition rate. However, when reviewed against other edge angle analyses, against a functional backdrop, their edge angle in isolation cannot explain their appearance and subsequent use. Further work considering the functional attributes of these blade strategies is now important in conjunction with technological analysis to assess the role of artefact design during the Middle Palaeolithic, and the different 'potentials' of both blade manufacturing techniques to past hominin populations.