Man is a learner: transmission of technical know-how among knappers.

This paper focuses on the Rhine-Meuse region, with particular attention to the lithic industries of six archaeological sites located on the Aldenhoven Plateau and its surrounding areas. These sites represent a continuous chronological sequence, spanning from the late Grossgartach phase to the late Rössen culture. Through detailed technological analysis, two main production systems have been identified at the post-LBK sites of the Cologne Bay: blade production and what is referred to as “simple production.” The latter is a broad category encompassing diverse practices such as the use of debris, blocks or cores, the production of flakes, and the activities of inexperienced knappers. The appearance of dedicated flake production marks a significant departure from the earlier LBK blade-based tradition and represents a notable technological innovation. This change in lithic organization is closely associated with the Rössen culture and may also reflect interactions with Blicquy / Villeneuve-Saint-Germain communities, influencing developments in the Rhineland.