In this research the stone and flint artefacts of the site Swifterbant are analysed. Attention is focussed on the Neolithic occupation phase of the prehistoric creek system (c. 4300 – 4000 cal BC) where archaeological traces were found on several levee and river dune sites. This study shows that there is a larger variability in site types than originally presumed. It is established that these sites are all part of one settlement system in which they all had a different function.This thesis comprises a monograph on the research history of the site and the different aspects of the lithic research such as typological analysis, technological attribute analysis, raw material analysis and use-wear analysis, in combination with a detailed inventory (catalogue). All this leads to new insights into the use of lithic artefacts. The importance of stone tool morphology, the selective gathering of stone tool blanks or the use of two different flint production sequences are but a few of these interesting aspects. Other topics concern tool function, mobility, raw material access and use, cultural markers and social identity. In combining the results from this research with that of other Swifterbant sites a better understanding of the different aspects of prehistoric stone and flint industries is gained.
1 The general setting of the research 1
2 The Swifterbant culture and the Swifterbant site 5
3 Method and limitations 43
4 The analysis of the stone artefacts 61
5 The analysis of the flint artefacts 127
6 A summary and interpretation 223
7 Conclusions, the key to Neolithic Swifterbant 285
References 293
Samenvatting 307
Appendix 1 Variables and definitions of lithic analysis 311
Appendix 2 Variables and definitions of attribute analysis 323
Appendix 3 Additional information 329
Catalogue
1 Detailed analysis of the stone artefacts 1
Catalogue of the stone artefacts 45
Detailed analysis of the flint artefacts 117
Catalogue of the flint artefacts 181
