Methodological perspectives of usewear analysis applied to lithic assemblages from Atapuerca's (Burgos, Spain) Lower and Middle Pleistocene

This work presents a methodological revision of the usewear analysis applie d to ancient lithic assemblages. The aim of this revision is the applicatio n of usewear to the Atapuerca sites. In this way, functional data recovered so far at the Gran Dolina and Galeria sites are presented. The conclusion obtained deals with the actual function of tools, as well as the relation b etween use and lithic production systems. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques e t medicales Elsevier SAS.