Two New Finds of Small Handaxes at the Mousterian Site at Peest

Abstract

Two New Finds of Small Handaxes at the Mousterian Site at Peest

Since 2007, at least three surface scatters of Middle Palaeolithic artefacts have been discovered at the site called »Peest«, near Assen (prov. Drenthe/NL). The largest scatter, »A«, produced at least 34 handaxes, and numerous other finds. Given the presence of relatively small, more-or-less triangular or »cordiform« handaxes and couteaux à dos, the site can be assigned to the Moustérien de tradition acheuléenne (MTA) type A with an estimated age of c. 50,000 years. Two recently found handaxes are described and illustrated in this paper. One of the handaxes was made by an experienced flintknapper, the second probably by an advanced learner. Scatter A has produced multiple examples of both well-made and somewhat defective handaxes, the latter probably made by Neanderthal children. The co-occurrence of masterly and clumsily made handaxes indicates that scatter A represents a »base camp«, where a group of Neanderthals including one or two youngsters resided for a while and engaged in a variety of activities.