Operating systems in units B and E of the Notarchirico (Basilicata, Italy) ancient Acheulean open-air site and the role of raw materials

The succession of archaeological units at Notarchirico offers technical and environmental arguments aimed at the characterization of the variability of the European Ancient Palaeolithic. Analysis shows the presence of distinctive features within the Acheulean assemblage besides the presence of handaxes. Hominins used flint and limestone on the site: a lithological analysis shows a predominance of the same raw materials in every unit and a partial selective exploitation. In unit B, traditionally associated with so-called “Mode 2”, the knapper principally intended to produce a sharp or convergence of the sharps (choppers or bifacial tools). In the E/E1 units, flaking prevails on the sporadic shaping: the presence of cores with polyhedral forms and the extreme dimensional reduction of objects are other main technical features associated with this core and flake assemblage. The presence or absence of handaxes is not the only element of variability: the presence of micro-tools and other technical elements represent technological innovations in the Lower Pleistocene assemblages common to many Italian sites during the so-called “Mode 1-2” transition. The traditional idea of Acheulean as an uniform entity characterized by the presence of handaxes does not seem to be valid.