Objective MORPHOLITHEX addresses one of the major research questions in prehistoric stone tool technologies - what are the crucial variables that knappers control to determine the form of their stone artifacts? Specifically, the project investigates the effects of variables that are under the direct control of the knapper, namely various platform management strategies and the morphology of the core surface, on the size and shape of the product. The project uses a novel combination of methods: the knapping process is simulated in an experimental setting that uses an apparatus that enables independent variables to be controlled and measured to isolate their effects on the final results; three-dimensional geometric morphometric methods are used to explore the size and shape of the blanks produced by the experiment; and advanced statistical modeling is used correlate the experimental predictors to the shape and size of the resulting blanks. The specific concentration is on platform management and core surface morphologies common in Levallois blank production, a technology that is present across the Old World during the last 300 thousand years, and is common during the rise and expansion of modern humans around 50 thousand years ago. The goal is to construct a more comprehensive model to account for morphological variation in stone tools and to validate this model using replicative and archeological collections. This quantitatively driven research integrates several of the most advanced approaches in our field and aims to significantly contribute to our understanding of the elementary principles of producing stone tools in prehistory. It further intends to make methodological advancements in controlled experiments for investigating the production of stone tools, as well as developing protocols for analyzing stone tool shape and size with geometric morphometrics. Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-GF - Global Fellowships Coordinator MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Net EU contribution € 239 860,80 Address Hofgartenstrasse 8 80539 Munchen Germany See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Partners (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all Partner Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement. THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA CORP United States Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address 3451 walnut street room p 221 19104 Philadelphia See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 160 130,40
