Impact Fractures and Adhesive Remains on Early and Middle Epipaleolithic Microliths from Tor Hamar, Southern Jordan

Epipaleolithic assemblages in the Levant are characterized by frequent occurrences of microliths, and functional studies of microliths increased recently. To increase case studies of microlith use as projectiles in the inland dry zone of the Levant, we present macroscopic functional analyses of Epipaleolithic microliths from Tor Hamar, located in the Jebel Qalkha area, southern Jordan. We report the occurrences of impact fractures and their type-frequencies according to the microlith types. To constrain possible hafting modes, we also examine the distributions of ochre (i.e., adhesive remains) on microliths. Based on these results, we discuss a possibility of projectile use for the two microlith types: the narrow arch backed and pointed bladelet and the arch backed bladelet. The former may have been hafted as oblique points, while the latter was likely used as barbs in addition to straight/oblique points and lateral elements. We tested such uses/hafting modes in shooting experiments, which partially replicated the expected types of impact fractures. According to these results, we propose that changes in microlith types from the early to middle Epipaleolithic at Tor Hamar involved changes in projectile designs. In addition, we discuss regional variations on the frequency of impact fractures in the southern Levant and their possible relationship with microlith types and their hafting for projectile weapons.