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Große Grotte is one of the few Middle Paleolithic sites in the Swabian Jura where it is possible to perform intraspatial analyses based on stratigraphic, chorological and chronological observations. In this paper, the spatial use of the site is discussed. This is of great importance both for the interpretation of the site use and for the understanding of the settlement system in general. The settlement remains in Große Grotte were distributed in individual concentrations within the ten Middle Paleolithic layers and were also not found diachronically at the same spot. The settlement shifted successively over time towards the northern cave wall. The layers were deposited during the time span between MIS 5 and 3. Regarding the stone artifacts of the respective layers, a diachronic increase in complexity and diversity is evident. Due to the location of the cave within the landscape, the site can be considered primarily as a base for observing the migration of animal herds. The site was not usable all year because of hibernating cave bears, indicating seasonal use of the location by humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this contribution is to show the intricate ways of over 100 years of research concerning the term Micoquian and its multiple shifts in meaning. A detailed analysis of the course of the research history has made it possible to identify several tendencies of shifting meaning. This concerned both its position within the chronology, its spatial extent, and decisive assemblage components. The term Micoquian has been used to describe complexes with very different characteristics. Chronologically, both assemblages dating before, during, and after the last interglacial period were referred to as Micoquian. To avoid difficulties in understanding the term, different names for the generic units of the respective assemblage units have been proposed from time to time. Due to the reflections on the research history, it is possible to investigate the question of whether and to what extent the term Micoquian should continue to be used and what significance is attached to it today, and to what extent it appears necessary to pursue other approaches to the classification of the Middle Paleolithic record. In conclusion, a multidisciplinary approach is proposed (including lithic, faunal, radiometric, site catchment, and/or settlement dynamic analysis) to build a multifaceted framework that is able to form clusters of similarities. The formerly defined generic units (called technocomplexes, facies, groups, space–time units, and so on) are seen purely as umbrella terms to structure the Paleolithic record, without claiming to reflect the former Paleolithic reality. With the addition of a tight chronological corset, the definitions of technocomplexes (by using lithic, faunal, and possibly floral data) could allow small, manageable space–time units to be formed and then compared with one another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the technological characteristics of Keilmesser with a lateral tranchet blow modification on the cutting edge. It examines the underlying technological production of these bifacial objects: this implies the evaluation of their working stage succession, as well as produced forms necessary for the execution of tranchet blow performance. Furthermore, it offers a techno-morphological description of these enigmatic tools. The Keilmesser with tranchet blow and corresponding blanks of tranchet blows from Grotte de la Verpillière I in Germolles (Saône-et-Loire, France) are used as case study. The collection of Keilmesser with tranchet blow and corresponding blanks of tranchet blow has been massively expanded with new fieldwork and the review of ancient assemblages. The majority of the pieces were made on blanks from local raw material. The evaluation of the underlying production concept shows that a Keilmesser with tranchet blow, regardless of the wide range of morphologies and matrix size, always consists of specific parts that are necessary for the production sequence and the assumed function. The production of these pieces follows highly specific working stages, some of which can be interchanged in sequence. However, it is always the goal to obtain a low-angled cutting edge. The performance of a tranchet blow is not only an integral part of production, but it is rather the aim of the entire production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bifacial objects are iconic lithic artifacts of Middle Paleolithic assemblages. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the production sequences of bifacial objects from Grottes de la Verpillière I and II (VP I and II) in Germolles, Saône-et-Loire, France. This study shows that despite morphological diversity, a general production sequence exists for all of the bifacial artifacts: phases of backing, bottom-side and top-side configuration and cutting-edge regularization. The study also compares the bifacial assemblages from modern excavations in intact sediments (VP II), mixed sedimentological units (VP I and II), the backdirt of old excavations (VP I) and museum collections from prior excavations and surface collections (VP I), which show notable diversity. An attempt is made to resituate assemblages without clear spatial provenience into the framework established by studies of the material from in situ sediments containing bifacial elements from Verpillière II, with reference to the notes of former excavators of Verpillière I. Asymmetrically bifacially backed knives from Verpillière I derive from the entrance of the rock shelter. Moreover, despite distinctive differences of both sites and their bifacial assemblages, they share similarities with regard to both production sequences and components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The branched reduction system at the Heidenschmiede described here is hitherto exceptional for the Middle Paleolithic of the Swabian Jura. By means of refits and supporting objects, we are able to describe a superordinate reduction system that combines several individual reduction concepts, such as Levallois and blade production, within one volume. In the Middle Paleolithic of the Swabian Jura, blade technology has thus far played a rather minor role. On the one hand, it is possible to split a selected volume (nodule) into three parts, which are reduced separately according to individual concepts. On the other hand, it is also possible to reduce parts of a volume with one concept first and then with another. The hypothetical reduction system can be branched or linear, thus emphasizing the technological flexibility in core reduction, which requires a high degree of cognitive skills of three-dimensional imagination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]