“Cutting-Edge” Technology During the Late Mesolithic in Western Europe. Analysis of a Specialized Flint Knapping Site in the Belgian Scheldt Basin

In this paper the results of a detailed technological analysis of the lithic industry of OEudeghien (Belgium) are presented. The site is interpreted as a specialized flint knapping workshop focused on the production of regular (Montbani)blades in a non-local, good-quality flint intended for transport. Although technologically aligning with the Essart knapping method, typical of the Late Mesolithic in western Europe, the studied assemblage presents unique characteristics, which might point to the existence of regional and/or chronological differences. One such feature is the frequent use of the edge of massive flakes as debitage front. While this method was already in use incidentally from the start of the Mesolithic, it looks as if it became a general practice in the Late Mesolithic. Interestingly the same method, albeit with other objectives, is also observed within early farmer-herder assemblages from the nearby LBK Culture, hinting at possible transmission of technological knowledge between both communities.