A região cárstica de Lagoa Santa (Minas Gerais) contém dezenas de sítios arqueológicos, cujos mais antigos datam do Holoceno Inicial (período entre 10.000 e 7000 anos A.P.), com coleções numerosas de remanescentes esqueletais humanos bem preservados. O sítio em abrigo Lapa do Santo, localizado ao norte do carste, contém mais de 30 sepultamentos humanos escavados, tendo sido identificadas práticas funerárias complexas que incluem o descarnamento, a decapitação e a remoção intencional de dentes. A matriz sedimentar que contém os vestígios é constituída de cinzas de antigas estruturas de combustão, acesas em um período de 3000 anos. Muitos artefatos líticos foram escavados no sítio, a maioria com pequenas dimensões (comprimento com cerca de 22 mm). Os líticos do sítio são lascas (raramente retocadas), núcleos e resíduos de lascamento, grande parte produzidos com cristais de quartzo hialino. Estudos tecnológicos e experimentais prévios sugerem que os líticos seriam usados para cortar e raspar materiais pequenos e macios, como plantas. Nesta pesquisa, para verificar o uso dos líticos da Lapa do Santo para o processamento de plantas, foram realizadas análises de microvestígios botânicos (fitólitos e amido) recuperados em 20 líticos do sítio. Esses artefatos foram recuperados de três unidades de escavação diferentes e do contexto de um sepultamento, seguindo um protocolo específico para evitar a contaminação durante a coleta. Amostras de sedimento do sítio também foram analisadas para verificar a possível contaminação dos microvestígios retidos nos líticos com os microvestígios presentes no sedimento. As análises revelaram fitólitos nos líticos (n = 19) e no sedimento (em todas as amostras), assim como amido na maioria dos líticos (n = 16) e em uma única amostra de sedimento. Os morfotipos de fitólitos identificados são diagnósticos dos seguintes táxons de plantas: Aristidoideae, Bambusoideae, Chloridoideae, Arecaceae (palmeiras), Poaceae (gramíneas) incluindo Panicoideae e, dentre essas, Zea mays (milho), Cyperaceae, inclusive Cyperus/Kyllinga sp; Zingiberales e Eudicotiledôneas (arbóreas). Os grãos de amido identificados apresentam semelhanças, embora nem sempre totalmente, com aqueles pertencentes aos táxons: Araceae (taioba), Arecaceae, Poaceae incluindo gramíneas selvagens e Zea mays; Ipomoea batatas (batata-doce), Capsicum sp. (pimenta e pimentão) e Dioscorea sp. (cará). Os resultados indicam que os instrumentos foram usados para processar plantas amiláceas cruas. Na quadra N23 quase todos os fitólitos que estão presentes nos líticos estão presentes também no sedimento (com exceção de Cyperaceae, presentes nos líticos, mas não no sedimento). Isso sugere uma possível contaminação dos líticos com os fitólitos do sedimento. Na quadra P11 há fitólitos de dois táxons de plantas (Aristidoideae e Zingiberales) nos líticos que não estão presentes no sedimento. Na quadra AE1 há fitólitos de quatro táxons de plantas (Bambusoideae, Chloridoideae, Cyperus/Kyllinga sp. e Zingiberales) nos líticos, que não estão presentes no sedimento ao redor. A presença exclusiva desses fitólitos nos líticos das quadras P11 e AE1, mas não no sedimento, indica que tais plantas foram, de fato, processadas com os artefatos. / The karstic region of Lagoa Santa (Minas Gerais state) contains several archaeological sites dating back to the early Holocene with an astonishing number of well-preserved human remains. The Lapa do Santo rockshelter site, in the northern part of the karst, contains more than 30 human interments in which complex funerary rituals were identified, including defleshing, decapitation and intentional teeth removal. The sedimentary matrix containing the skeletal remains is mostly made of ashes from ancient combustion structures, lit within a period of about 3000 years. Several lithic artifacts have been recovered from the site, most of them of small dimensions (length around 22 mm). Lithics are mostly flakes (rarely retouched), cores and splinters made from single crystals of hyaline quartz. Previous technological research suggests that lithic artifacts were used to cut and scrape small and soft materials, like plants. To verify whether the lithics from Lapa do Santo were indeed used to process plant resources, analyses of plant microremains (phytoliths and starch) were undertaken in 20 artifacts from the site. The artifacts were recovered from three different excavation units (1 m x 1 m) and one interment, following a specific protocol to prevent contamination during collection. Sediment samples from the site were also analyzed in order to differentiate between microremains retained in the lithics after their use or incorporated later from the surrounding sediments. The analyses revealed a larger amount of phytoliths in the lithics (19 of them) and sediment (all samples) and starch in most of the artifacts (16 of them) and in one sediment sample. The identified phytolith morphotypes are diagnostic of the following plant taxa: Aristidoideae, Bambusoideae, Chloridoideae, Arecaceae, Poaceae, including Panicoideae and among these, Zea mays (corn), Cyperaceae, including Cyperus/Kyllinga sp; Zingiberales and Eudicots. The starch grains show resemblances (even though not completely sometimes) to those belonging to: Araceae, Arecaceae, Poaceae, including wild grasses and Zea mays, Ipomoea batatas, Capsicum sp. and Dioscorea sp. The results indicate that the instruments were used to process raw (non cooked) starchy plants. Almost every phytolith from the N23 excavation unit that are present in lithics, are also present in the sediment from this unit (except the ones of Cyperaceae, present in lithic but not in the sediment), which strongly suggest contamination of the lithics with the phytoliths and starch from the sediment. From the P11 excavation unit there are phytolithis of two plant taxa (Aristidoideae and Zingiberales) in the lithics that are not present in the sediment. From the AE1 excavation unit there are phytoliths from four plant taxa (Bambusoideae, Chloridoideae, Cyperus/Kyllinga sp. and Zingiberales) in the lithics that are not present in the sediment. This suggests that the phytoliths in these artifacts may have been originated by their use and not by contamination with the sediment.

<p>The aim of the thesis is to cast light on the earliest settlement of northern Sweden. The starting point is lithic artifacts, which have been studied from a technological as well as a more conventional typological perspective (Papers I, II, and IV). Paper III deals primarily with geological and palaeoecological methods and my contribution is mainly confined to the lithic artifacts. The main research objectives are concerned with early postglacial colonization and cultural affiliation mirrored through technological traditions. Another “main thread” is a source-critical discussion regarding dating problems, and the chronological integrity of find contexts. The chronological position of artifact types in the North Swedish Mesolithic is another related problem being discussed.</p><p>The geographical area under investigation comprises northern Sweden sensu largo: Norrland plus the provinces of Värmland and Dalarna. The time period studied is the Mesolithic, with an emphasis on the earliest part, ca. 8500–7500 BP.</p><p>Paper I discusses the Mesolithic in the province of Värmland. There are traits indicating both an affiliation with the Lihult/Nøstvet sphere (for example, Lihult axes and saws/knives of sandstone) as well as other features more common in an eastern/northern context (quartz use, bipolar reduction, and, at least for the final Mesolithic and Neolithic, slate artifacts).</p><p>Paper II aims at elucidating microblade technology in northern Sweden as regards chronological position and cultural context. It was found that microblade production from handle cores (also called wedge-shaped cores) was introduced at about the same time in northern Sweden as in other areas of Scandinavia where these artifacts occur, ca. 8000–7500 BP. The handle core tradition continued until ca. 5500/5000 BP.</p><p>Paper III deals with lake-tilting caused by non-uniform glacio-isostatic uplift. This phenomenon has been used to identify potential areas of Mesolithic occupation in the Arjeplog area, Lapland. Surveys and excavations within the research project "Man, Fire, and Landscape", have significantly increased the number of Mesolithic sites in the area. The investigations have resulted in the discovery of the oldest firmly dated archaeological site in northern Sweden, Dumpokjauratj, in Arjeplog parish, Lapland, with a maximum date of 8630 ± 85 BP.</p><p>Paper IV discusses the pioneering phase of occupation in northern Sweden, in the light of the above-mentioned site of Dumpokjauratj and a site at Garaselet in northern Västerbotten. These are further compared with contemporary sites in surrounding areas of Fennoscandia. The majority of the assemblages are dominated by platform reduction, even if bipolar reduction also occurs at the earliest sites. Slate artifacts found at Dumpokjauratj suggest connections with the Finnish Mesolithic, which is the only cultural context in our region with documented slate use at this early point in time. But there are also traits that do not specifically point towards Finland, e.g. frequent use of fine-grained flint-like materials and porphyry, and (at Dumpokjauratj) a lanceolate microlith made of a microblade of this fine-grained igneous rock. The latter suggests associations with the Scandinavian Mesolithic in general.</p><p>In any event, the early dates from Dumpokjauratj show that interior Lapland was occupied soon after deglaciation, probably within a few hundred years.</p>

The aim of the thesis is to cast light on the earliest settlement of northern Sweden. The starting point is lithic artifacts, which have been studied from a technological as well as a more conventional typological perspective (Papers I, II, and IV). Paper III deals primarily with geological and palaeoecological methods and my contribution is mainly confined to the lithic artifacts. The main research objectives are concerned with early postglacial colonization and cultural affiliation mirrored through technological traditions. Another “main thread” is a source-critical discussion regarding dating problems, and the chronological integrity of find contexts. The chronological position of artifact types in the North Swedish Mesolithic is another related problem being discussed. The geographical area under investigation comprises northern Sweden sensu largo: Norrland plus the provinces of Värmland and Dalarna. The time period studied is the Mesolithic, with an emphasis on the earliest part, ca. 8500–7500 BP. Paper I discusses the Mesolithic in the province of Värmland. There are traits indicating both an affiliation with the Lihult/Nøstvet sphere (for example, Lihult axes and saws/knives of sandstone) as well as other features more common in an eastern/northern context (quartz use, bipolar reduction, and, at least for the final Mesolithic and Neolithic, slate artifacts). Paper II aims at elucidating microblade technology in northern Sweden as regards chronological position and cultural context. It was found that microblade production from handle cores (also called wedge-shaped cores) was introduced at about the same time in northern Sweden as in other areas of Scandinavia where these artifacts occur, ca. 8000–7500 BP. The handle core tradition continued until ca. 5500/5000 BP. Paper III deals with lake-tilting caused by non-uniform glacio-isostatic uplift. This phenomenon has been used to identify potential areas of Mesolithic occupation in the Arjeplog area, Lapland. Surveys and excavations within the research project "Man, Fire, and Landscape", have significantly increased the number of Mesolithic sites in the area. The investigations have resulted in the discovery of the oldest firmly dated archaeological site in northern Sweden, Dumpokjauratj, in Arjeplog parish, Lapland, with a maximum date of 8630 ± 85 BP. Paper IV discusses the pioneering phase of occupation in northern Sweden, in the light of the above-mentioned site of Dumpokjauratj and a site at Garaselet in northern Västerbotten. These are further compared with contemporary sites in surrounding areas of Fennoscandia. The majority of the assemblages are dominated by platform reduction, even if bipolar reduction also occurs at the earliest sites. Slate artifacts found at Dumpokjauratj suggest connections with the Finnish Mesolithic, which is the only cultural context in our region with documented slate use at this early point in time. But there are also traits that do not specifically point towards Finland, e.g. frequent use of fine-grained flint-like materials and porphyry, and (at Dumpokjauratj) a lanceolate microlith made of a microblade of this fine-grained igneous rock. The latter suggests associations with the Scandinavian Mesolithic in general. In any event, the early dates from Dumpokjauratj show that interior Lapland was occupied soon after deglaciation, probably within a few hundred years.

This dissertation focuses on two portions of the Clovis lithic assemblage recovered from Excavation Area 8 at the Gault site (41BL323) located in central Texas. Gault is a quarry-camp visited by hunter-gatherer groups for at least 13,000 years, with Paleoindian, Archaic, and Late Prehistoric occupations. Freshwater seep springs, a diverse array of floral and faunal resources, and an abundant outcrop of high-quality toolstone at the site created an ideal location for people who lived a mobile hunting-andgathering way of life. The site is currently the only locale with two stratigraphically separate Clovis components-a lower geologic unit designated 3a and an upper unit designated 3b. Both are represented in Excavation Area 8 where, in the spring of 2000, Texas A&M University (TAMU) excavated 22 1-m2 contiguous units. For this research, 3375 complete flakes were analyzed individually to characterize Clovis debitage as represented at Excavation Area 8 and to establish if there are technological differences between the debitage assemblages recovered from Units 3a and 3b. The two Clovis components are quite similar from a technological standpoint. Minor differences appear to be related to site formation processes and intensity of site use. The second objective was to determine if Clovis debitage has diagnostic technological traits that allow confident assignment to the Clovis era. To test whether Clovis debitage is distinctive, it was compared to debitage recovered from later cultural components at the site. No evidence of a true blade technology was observed in the post- Clovis Paleoindian or Early Archaic debitage assemblages, although biface manufacture continued through time. Technologically, few differences were observed between the Clovis, post-Clovis Paleoindian, and Early Archaic debitage related to biface reduction. While overshot flakes may be diagnostic of Clovis biface technology, biface thinning flakes and other non-distinctive debitage showed few differences between components. During debitage analysis pieces were selected in an attempt to identify edgemodified tools. Low- and high-power usewear analysis was employed to make determinations concerning the cultural modification or use of flakes. This study concluded post-depositional damage affected most of the collection and there was minimal usewear-or minimal observable usewear-on flakes. Taphonomic processes interfered to a great extent with drawing firm inferences on tool use and possibly hindered the identification of tools. Of the 3375 pieces of Clovis debitage originally analyzed, 26 specimens were classified as tools based mainly on invasive, patterned flaking with less reliance on microscopic use indicators. Of these, inference of use was assigned to nine tools.

Les débitages de lamelles obtenues par pression apparaissent il y a environ 20 000 ans en Asie du nord-est et leur diffusion est attestée aussi bien vers l’Asie centrale que vers l’Alaska et la Colombie-Britannique en passant par la Sibérie. Cette recherche analyse ainsi la progression de ces industries depuis l’Extrême-Orient vers l’Amérique du Nord : de nombreuses séries en provenance du Primorye, de la Sibérie et du nord-ouest de l’Amérique du Nord font l’objet d’une étude typo-technologique rigoureuse. La facile reconnaissance des industries à composante lamellaire permet d’étudier l’évolution, à une large échelle géographique et chronologique, du système techno-économique du peuplement initial du Nouveau Monde, tout en restant sur des contextes technologiquement comparables. La singularité de ce travail repose non seulement dans le choix du sujet mais aussi dans la méthodologie employée, c’est-à-dire l’application de la technologie lithique développée par l’école française à l’étude des industries paléolithiques à composante lamellaire et à certaines problématiques concernant le premier peuplement du Nouveau Monde. De nombreuses questions seront abordées : quelle est l’origine géographique et chronologique des premiers débitages lamellaires par pression ? Pouvons-nous mettre en évidence certains facteurs déclencheurs ? Comment sont employées les lamelles ? Quels éléments expliquent la variabilité des méthodes de débitages ? Sommes-nous face à un phénomène de diffusion d’une idée ou de migration de population ? Observe-t-on certaines voies migratoires préférentielles ? L’outillage associé est-il constant ou très variable ? Comment la technologie lithique permet-elle de mettre en évidence certaines zones d’interaction ? L’approche inédite développée ici permet d’aborder ces thématiques sous un angle parti culier et d’abouti r à des résultats, à des visions et à des propositions sensiblement différents de ce qui a été avancé à ce jour. / Débitage of pressure microblades appeared in the archaeological record about 20,000 years ago in Northeast Asia, followed by their diffusion toward Central Asia as well as toward Siberia, Alaska, and British Columbia. This research analyzes the spread of these microblade industries from the Asian Far East to North America, utilizing many archaeological collections from Primorye, Siberia, and northwest North America as the basis of a meticulous typo-technological study. The easy recognition of microblade-bearing sites allows studying the evolution, on a wide geographical and chronological scale, of the technoeconomic system during the initial peopling of the New World, while retaining technologically comparable backgrounds. The singularity of this work lies not only in the chosen subject but also in the chosen methodology, i.e., the application of lithic technology as developed by the French school to the study of Palaeolithic industries with microblade components, as well as to some issues concerning the first peopling of the New World. Many questions will be discussed, including: What is the geographical and chronological origin of the first pressure microblade industries? Can we highlight some factors that stimulated such an invention? How were microblades used? What elements can explain the variability of the débitage-producing methods? Is the progression of microblade industries the result of a technological diffusion or a human migration? Can any preferential migratory routes be identified? Is the associated toolkit highly variable or is it relatively constant? How does the analysis of lithic technology allow the assessment of interactions between groups? The new approach developed here addresses the issues from a different angle and leads to new visions, proposals, and results that are noticeably different from those that have been suggested to date.

La partie inférieure de la rivière Colorado constitue une frontière naturelle entre les régions argentines de la Pampa et de la Patagonie. Dans cette zone géographique, carrefour entre diverses provinces et régions, les études phytogeographiques et zoogéographiques ont montré l’existence de caractéristiques environnementales particulières. Le projet « Investigations archéologiques dans la partie inférieure de la rivière Colorado », au sein duquel s’inscrit ce travail, a pour objectif principal d’étudier la culture matérielle des chasseurs-cueilleurs de cette zone géographique afin de comprendre leur adaptation et leur évolution durant l’Holocène entre 3 000 et 250 ans BP. Les dynamiques de peuplement de la Pampa et de la Patagonie à la fin de l’Holocène (environ 1000-250 ans BP) ont été décrites par plusieurs chercheurs comme une mosaïque de groupes qui témoigne de contacts inter-ethniques et d’échanges à différentes échelles (locale, extra-régionale, trans-andine). L’objectif de cette thèse est de définir l’organisation technologique des groupes de chasseurs-cueilleurs qui occupent la zone géographique concernée durant la fin de l’Holocène. Pour y répondre, les matières premières exploitées sont caractérisées. De plus, les méthodes de débitage et l’analyse économique des assemblages lithiques sont identifiées par le biais de l’approche théorique et méthodologique de la chaîne opératoire. Les résultats de cette thèse montrent une constance des savoir-faire technologiques tout au long de la fin de l’Holocène. Les changements technologiques perçus dans les comportements à la fin de l’Holocène tardif (environ 1000-250 ans BP) sont dus aux choix parmi les méthodes, les matières premières et les types d’outils connus ou disponibles de ceux les plus efficaces pour lesquels la production s’intensifie à partir de 1000 BP. Les changements comportementaux discernés dans le système de la technologie lithique sont accompagnés voire résultent d’une réorganisation du système social dans son ensemble. Plus généralement, cette situation est également observée dans les sociétés de chasseurs-cueilleurs des zones ou régions voisines (Pampa et Nord Patagonie) à la fin de l’Holocène tardif. / The lower Colorado River is considered the geographical boundary between [the Argentinean regions of Pampa and Patagonia]. In this area converges various provinces and regions, as well as phytogeographical and zoogeographical sub-domains that give to the environment ecotonal characteristics. The project Archaeological Investigations in the Lower Colorado River, which is part of this work, has as its central objective the study of the material culture, adaptation and evolution of hunter-gatherer peoples who occupied the area during the Holocene-3000-250 years BP. The population’s dynamics of the Pampas and Patagonia regions in the final late Holocene (ca. 1000-250 years BP) was described by several researchers as a complex map of inter-ethnic contacts and networks between groups at local, extra-regional and transandean range scale. The aim of this thesis is to define the technological patterns of hunter-gatherer groups who inhabited the studied area during the late Holocene. In order to do so, the nature and presentation of raw materials exploited is stated, and the different methods of debitage and economic analysis of the lithic assemblages are identified, within the theoretical and methodological approach of chaîne opératoires. The results of this thesis allow concluding that during the late Holocene the basis of technological knowledge is kept constant. The technological changes experienced in behavior toward the final late Holocene (ca. 1000-250 years BP) are due to the choice among methods, materials, and types of instruments known and available, of those with proven efficacy, whose production was intensified in the last 1000 years B.P. The behavioral changes linked to lithic technological system are accompanied by -or produced as a result of- reorganization of the social system as a whole. In general terms, this situation is also observed in hunters gathered societies in neighboring areas and regions (Pampean and Northen Patagonic regions) towards final late Holocene.

Les modèles de diffusion de l’Homme hors d’Afrique considèrent que les premiers groupes humains ont peuplés l’Europe selon deux vagues correspondant chacune à une culture technique différente. Les premiers peuplements, qui remonte au million d’année et se caractérisent par des productions d’éclats, associée à des outils sur galet. La deuxième vague serait porteuse de l’Acheuléen, puisque les premières industries comprenant des bifaces en Europe sont datées à 0,6 millions d’année. Mais les données présentes en Europe centrale ont bien du mal à entrer dans ce cadre théorique. Pourtant sur le chemin des premiers peuplements hors d’Afrique, cette région n’a pas livré les données archéologiques auxquelles ont aurait pu s’attendre. Les premiers indices d’occupation humaines antérieures à 0,5 Ma sont rarissimes, les bifaces sont absents durant toute la durée du paléolithique inférieur et les industries présentes sont originales. L’Europe centrale est-elle une aire culturelle spécifique au Paléolithique inférieur ? Ou est-ce nos propre outils méthodologiques qui doivent être interrogés pour répondre à cet apparent paradoxe ? C’est à travers l’étude de l’industrie lithique de quatre sites que nous avons tenté de répondre à ces questions. Le deux premiers assemblage (Korolevo VI en Ukraine et Kärlich-Seeufer en Allemagne) sont datés aux environs de 0,5 Ma et ont livré une industrie basée sur la production d’éclats variés. Les deux autres collections (Vértesszölös en Hongrie et Bilzingsleben en Allemagne) se caractérisent au contraire par une industrie basée sur la confection de petits supports sélectionnés. Les résultats de l’étude des premières industries en Europe centrale, nous invite donc à reconsidérer la question du peuplement de l’Europe et à s’interroger sur les critères pris en compte dans la définition des entités culturelles et des systèmes techniques au Paléolithique inférieur. / Out of Africa diffusion models stipulate that the earliest humans reached Europe in two waves, each correlating with a different techno-cultural entity. The earliest occupation, dating back to over a million years ago, is characterised by the production of flakes and pebble tools. The second wave is related to the Acheulean, since the first handaxe industries in Europe date back to 0.6 million years ago. However, the Central European data are difficult to incorporate into this theoretical framework. Despite being located on the Out of Africa route towards Europe, this region has not yielded the archaeological evidence that could have been expected. Evidence of humans occupations before 0.5 million years ago is sparse and handaxes are absent during the entire duration of the Lower Palaeolithic with the assemblages present being more unique. Does Central Europe represent a specific techno-cultural unit during the Lower Palaeolithic? Or do we need to question our methodological tools to be able to find an answer to this apparent paradox? This study aims to answer these questions through the analyses of four lithic assemblages. The first two collections (Korolevo VI in Ukraine and Kärlich-Seeufer in Germany) are dated around 0.5 Ma and contain industries that are characterised by the production of various types of flakes. Conversely, the other two assemblages (Vértesszölös in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany) are typified by the selective production of small blanks. The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe, allow a reconsideration of the question of the earliest occupation of Europe and the criteria taken into account in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technological systems.

En Europe centrale et, en particulier en Moravie et en Silésie, se forment entre 28.000 - 25.500 BP non calibré des concentrations des sites situés le long d'un corridor naturel, le seul passage reliant l'Europe du Nord et du Sud. Le terme de «Pavlovien» fut créé pour englober ces sites qui avec leur richesse matérielle, sociale, culturelle et symbolique représentent un témoignage extraordinaire de ce que furent les sociétés du Paléolithique supérieur. Afin de revisiter la définition du Pavlovien, nous proposons une nouvelle lecture de leurs industries lithiques. Un examen approfondi réalisé sur des sites classiques mais également sur des sites nouvellement fouillés nous a conduit à proposer une tripartition des ensembles selon leurs caractéristiques éco-typo-technologique (Groupe à microscies, Groupe à microlithes géométriques et Groupe à pointes de Milovice ). Les populations d'au moins de deux de ces groupes semblent être porteuses d'une tradition lithique particulière et d'une culture matérielle riche et révélatrice de comportements sociaux structurés et récurrents qui semble plaider en faveur d'un fort degré d'homogénéité culturelle. / In central Europe, and in particular in Moravia and in Silesia, some concentrations of archaeological sites, dated from 28.000 to 25.500 BP, appeared all way long a natural corridor, which is the only passageway between Northern and Southern Europe. These sites have provided a wide range of artifacts, bringing many data about social, cultural and symbolic aspects of the Upper Paleolithic societies. They are now known as the «Pavlovian complex». In order to refine the definition of the « Pavlovian », this thesis seeks to renew the reading of lithic industries. This study includes both the classical sites and the ones recently excavated. It leads t subdivide the Pavlovian into three mains groups according to their eco-typo-technologica characteristics (the group with microsaws, the group with geometric microliths and the group wit the point of Milovice ). At least two of these groups present specific lithic tradition and an abundan material culture that reveals some social behaviors, both well structured and recurring, which plead in favour of a high level of cultural homogeneity.

O presente trabalho é referente ao estudo das indústrias líticas do sítio Brito, localizado na margem direita do rio Paranapanema, no Estado de São Paulo. Os materiais estudados estão associados a datações recuadas a transição Holoceno Inicial/Médio, entre, aproximadamente, 8.000 BP e 6.500 BP. O nosso primeiro objetivo concerne à caracterização tecnológica das indústrias líticas a partir de uma abordagem centrada no conceito de cadeia operatória visando reconstituir os processos técnicos e as estratégias de uso das matérias primas que geraram a variabilidade artefatual observada. O segundo objetivo trata da verificação, por meio da análise da distribuição vertical e horizontal dos vestígios, da integridade de solos de ocupação identificados durante a escavação. Propomos que as indústrias líticas mais antigas do sítio Brito estão distribuídas em um nível arqueológico caracterizado por um palimpsesto de ocupações. / The present dissertation refers to the study of the lithic assemblages from the Brito site, located at the right bank of the Paranapanema river, in the state of São Paulo. The materials that were studied are associated to dates that go back to the transition between the initial and the middle Holocene, approximately 8,000 to 6,500 BP. Our first objective concerns the technological characterization of the lithic assemblages from an approach based on the concept of operation sequence (chaîne opératoire), with the aim of reconstituting the technical processes and the strategies of usage of raw material that generated the observed artifact variability. The second objective was to verify, by means of analyzing the vertical and horizontal distribution of the lithic materials, the integrity of the occupational floors identified during the fieldwork. We suggest that the oldest lithic assemblages of the Brito site are distributed over an archeological level characterized by a palimpsest of occupations.

This work aims to present the technofunctional analysis in lithic tools and 11 instrumental technotypes observed in a sample of material from the Sítio Pilar, understanding the operation schemes. This archaeological site was found in Povoado Mussuca/ Laranjeiras in the lower course of the Sergipe river region during the first stage of Settlement project Povoamento Arqueológico da Bacia do Rio Sergipe under the coordination of Prof. Dr. Emílio Fogaça in the period 2010-12. / Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar a análise tecnofuncional de instrumentos líticos e os 11 tecnotipos instrumentais observados numa amostra de material do Sítio Pilar, compreendendo os seus esquemas de funcionamento. Este sítio arqueológico foi encontrado no povoado Mussuca/Laranjeiras, na região do baixo curso do rio Sergipe, durante a primeira etapa do projeto Povoamento Arqueológico da Bacia do Rio Sergipe, sob coordenação do Prof. Dr. Emílio Fogaça no período de 2010-12.