A functional analysis of the Magdalenian assemblage from Grotte XVI (Dordogne, France)

This dissertation applies the methods developed in high magnification microwear analysis to an archaeological assemblage. This archaeological assemblage comes from the intact Magdalenian deposits from Grotte XVI, a stratified cave site in Dordogne, France. Through analogy, using experimentally produced and used tools, functional interpretations can be made concerning the Magdalenian occupation of the cave. This dissertation integrates previous analyses of the lithic and faunal materials from Grotte XVI with both spatial and functional analyses to allow for a synthetic explanation of site systematics. This study describes the uppermost, intact deposits from Couche 0 dating to the Magdalenian occupation of Grotte XVI. By integrating the existing analyses of the faunal assemblage, stone tool typology, technology, and raw material analyses, and artifact spatial distributions with functional analyses a picture of Grotte XVI as a short term, specialized site used by small, mobile task groups emerges. This interpretation implies that use of Grotte XVI during the Magdalenian was part of a larger, logistically organized collector land use strategy.