Transport of lithic raw material in the Mesolithic of southwest Germany

The different geographical subregions of southwest Germany yield characteristic raw materials which were used during the Mesolithic period. Unexpectedly, the different regional assemblages are all dominated by Upper Jurassic chert found in sources at distances of up to 50 km from the sites. These distances lie within the range of a macro-move of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. Investigations at the Mesolithic open air sites of Siebenlinden demonstrate a quite complex system of procurement. Mainly, complete nodules of Jurassic chert were transported from campsite to campsite. If needed, local material from the different geographical subregions was also added to the inventory of raw materials used. At times the amount of local material increases to more than 50% of the processed nodules, whereas at other times only a few local nodules were knapped.