LATE Pleistocene Microlithic ASSEMBLAGES in KOREA

LATE PLEISTOCENE MICROLITHIC 7 ASSEMBLAGES IN KOREA Chuntaek Seong

Introduction: Microlithic Sites and Artifacts in Korea

The terminal Pleistocene lithic industries in Korea microlithic assemblages, although more than 40 and adjacent Northeast Asia are dominated by years have passed since the first Palaeolithic site, microblade technology. This may suggest that the Sokchang-ri (Figure 7.1), in the southern part of microlithic adaptation was a general feature of the the Korean Peninsula, was excavated in the early Late Pleistocene, at least in the Old World, which 1960s (Sohn 1973). Sokchang-ri, in fact, yielded in turn leads to the conclusion that the growing a significant number of microliths, including nine microlithization toward the end of the Pleistocene microcores, and the Upper Palaeolithic horizon is one of the most conspicuous aspects of the is dominated by a microlithic assemblage (Fig- evolution of Palaeolithic technology (Kuhn and ure 7.2). In spite of this, the Sokchang-ri micro- Elston 2002). liths did not command the attention they deserved Despite the lack of a universally accepted defi- until the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Upper nition, the term ‘microlith’ is widely used in de- Palaeolithic site of Suyanggae, excavated in the noting small stone artifacts, especially very small mid-1980s, produced 195 microcores and nu- and thin blades and related artifacts (An 1978). merous microblades, according to the excavator The term “microlithic assemblage” in turn be- (Lee 1984, 1985, 1989c). Most of the Suyanggae came generally reserved for indicating those lithic microliths were made of siliceous shale, while assemblages containing microblades and micro- obsidian was also used in producing microblades cores. While one may adopt different criteria in and other artifacts. The tools associated with the describing how small microliths are, microblades microliths at Suyanggae include various end- in Northeast Asia are usually 15–50 mm long, 4– scrapers and tanged points, together with large 7 mm wide, and 1–2 mm thick (Gai 1985; Kato tools such as handaxes and choppers. While and Tsurumaru 1980; Seong 1998). Microblades some have raised the possibility that Suyanggae were probably mounted in wood or antler shafts may represent multiple occupational episodes as barbs and were also used as spears, darts, and, (e.g., Matsufuji 1998), the association of tanged less likely, arrowheads, indicating that tools with points and microliths is well reflected by many mounted microblades were primarily used for other collections as discussed below. hunting and related activities. Further south, the Juam Dam archaeological In Korea, most lithic assemblages dating to the salvage expeditions exposed a series of Upper terminal Pleistocene contain either microblade Palaeolithic sites along the Boseong River, and cores (or microcores), microblades, or both. Pre- sites yielding microliths include Juksan (Yi et al. viously, microblade cores were described as boat- 1990b), Geumpyeong (Lim and Yi 1988), Gok- shaped artifacts in the Korean literature. However, cheon (Lee et al. 1988), and Daejeon (Hwasun) we do not have a long research history studying (Lee et al. 1988; Lee and Yun 1992b) (Figure 7.1).

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Figure 7.1: Approximate locations of microlithic sites in the Korean Peninsula (administrative position of sites is indicated in brackets). 1. Mandal-ri (Pyongyang); 2. Jangheung-ri (Cheolwon); 3. Sangmuryong-ri (Yanggu); 4. Minrak-dong (Euijeongbu); 5. Hahwagye-ri (Hongcheon); 6. Hopyeong-dong (Namyangju); 7. Sam-ri (Gwangju); 8. Pyeongchang-ri (Yongin); 9. Suyanggae (Danyang); 10. Cheongdang-dong (Cheonan); 11. Sokchang-ri (Gongju); 12. Noeun-dong (Daejeong-dong); 13. Daejeong-dong (Daejeon); 14. Sinmak (Iksan); 15. Jingeuneul (Jinan); 16. Imbul-ri (Geochang); 17. Jiphyeon (Jinju); 18. Jung-dong (Busan); 19. Songjeon-ri and Jusan-ri (Okkwa, Gokseong); 20. Danghasan (Hampyeong); 21. Daejeon (Hwasun); 22. Geumpyeong (Suncheon); 23. Juksan (Suncheon); 24. Gokcheon (Suncheon); 25. Wolpyeong (Suncheon); 26. Yongso (Boseong); 27. Donggoji (Boseong); 28. Sinbuk (Jangheung); 29. Geumseong (Suncheon); 30. Gigok (Donghae).

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Microliths subsequently drew increased attention, Most of the microliths from the southern part of and several archaeologists began to tackle the is- the peninsula were made of silicified tuff or shale, sue of microblade techniques (Lee 1989c; Lee in contrast to obsidian artifacts from central and and Yun 1994; Seong 1990, 1998). Since the early northern Korea (Seong 1998, 2004a, 2004b). 1990s, more microlithic sites have become known In the central part of Korea, the Hahwagye- in Jeollanam-do Province in the southwestern ri and Sangmuryong-ri sites, located along the corner of the Korean Peninsula than in any other Bukhan River, were excavated during the late region of Korea, including the recent addition of 1980s and early 1990s and yielded many micro- important collections from the Wolpyeong and liths (Choi 1989; Choi et al. 1992) (Figure 7.1). Sinbuk sites (Lee 2002a, 2004) (Figure 7.1). Especially noteworthy is that obsidian artifacts This is because the Palaeolithic archaeological are predominant in the Hahwagye-ri microlithic expeditions in the Jeollanam-do area were based assemblage, as they are widely recognized in on extensive surface surveys along the Boseong collections from the central part of the Korean River (Lee 1997). Recently, more than 100 mi- Peninsula, like those from Hopyeong (Hong et al. croblade cores were collected at the Sinbuk site 2002), Minrak-dong (Choi et al. 1996), Sam-ri as well as various types of endscrapers, burins, (Han et al. 2003a), and Mandal-ri near Pyong- tanged points, and ground stone axes (Lee 2004). yang (Kim et al. 1990) (Figure 7.1). In a recent

Figure 7.2: Microblade cores and associated artifacts from Sokchang-ri. a–g: microblade cores and related flakes; h: burin; i and j: endscrapers (modified, based on Jang 2002).

105 Chapter 7 excavation at Hopyeong, numerous microliths, rent technological typologies, however, are often made of obsidian and siliceous shale, were re- overly specific and do not effectively represent the covered along with other types of very small ar- full range of variation. For example, not a few mi- tifacts, including “microdrills” and tanged points croblades were produced from casual cores, which (Hong et al. 2002). Palaeolithic sites located does not receive due consideration in the current along the east coast of Korea have also yielded fixed typology. Instead, an analysis of core reduc- microliths, as exemplified by a recent excavation technology would be best examined if one tion of the Gigok site (Lee et al. 2005). Obsidian is mainly concerned with the reduction sequence was regularly exploited to produce microliths in based on specific stages towards microblade pro- northern and central Korea at the end of the Pleis- duction. According to many useful studies of mi- tocene in contrast to the southern part. croblade techniques, three more or less successive Despite the brief history of microlithic research, stages can be recognized: blank formation, plat- there are some 30 microlithic sites and vast micro- form preparation, and blade detachment. lithic collections from many archaeological sites There are technological varieties of each of throughout the Korean Peninsula (Figure 7.1). these three steps, and varieties from each step de- Among them, sites yielding ten or more micro- note various microblade production techniques, cores include Hahwagye-ri, Hopyeong, Suyang- such as the Yubetsu, Togeshita, and Hirosato tech- gae, Wolpyeong, and Sinbuk (Table 7.1). It also niques, as recognized by Japanese archaeologists. needs to be pointed out that excavation reports are Given the sophistication of microblade technol- currently not available for such important micro- ogy, the sequence of core preparation is often de- lithic sites as Hopyeong, Jiphyeon, Jangheung-ri, termined from the very beginning, and the first and Sinbuk. step, blank selection and preparation, may result in recognizable differences in the final product. In Various Microblade Techniques a broad sense, four types of blank formation are recognized: bifacial, unifacial, conical, and large. Reconstruction of microblade manufacturing Microcores manufactured on bifacially pre- techniques on the basis of microcore morphology pared blanks are often elongated and of oval has been one of the central themes in the study shape, as exemplified by many of the Suyanggae of the microlithic tradition in Korea (e.g., Kim specimens (Figure 7.3). Called type 1 here, they 2002; Jang 1995; Jang 2002; Lee and Yun 1994; are usually larger than other types of microcores. Lee et al. 1996; Seong 1998) and adjacent coun- Microblade cores that can be assigned to type 2 tries (e.g., Chen 1984; Chen and Wang 1989; Kato are in turn often smaller than type 1 cores. Some 1992; Lu 1998). The term “tradition” is used here type 2 cores were unifacially flaked, while others to denote the persistence of largely the same kind lack any apparent evidence of further flaking and of technology through time. The term “wedge- trimming of the face (Figure 7.4: b, d, e). Coni- shaped” core is widely used to indicate those cal or cylindrical cores which belong to type 3 cores with a relatively long and slender fluted or (Figure 7.4: f) are characterized by a different blade producing surface, while boat-shaped cores reduction trajectory than type 1 and 2 cores: the are relatively thick and wide with a rather short platform was often produced first with subsequent fluted surface. However, as I have pointed out working of the surface. A significant amount of elsewhere (Seong 1998), the distinction between trimming around the platform was required be- wedge-shaped and boat-shaped cores has no fore blade detachment. Large blades or elongated sound basis and is often used arbitrarily. flakes were also worked into microblade cores Thanks to Japanese archaeologists, more than (type 4), and they reveal a similar morphology to 10 specific techniques of producing microblades burins as demonstrated by many specimens from were reconstructed (Kobayashi 1970; Kato and the Hahwagye-ri site. Tsurumaru 1980; Obata 1987), and most of them The next step in microblade technology is the are also recognized by Chinese scholars (Chen preparation of the platform. In a broad sense, three and Wang 1989; Tang and Gai 1986). These cur- types are recognized: (a) longitudinal detachment

106 Chuntaek Seong of so called ski-spalls (Figures 7.2: f; 7.3: f; 7.4: form preparation as shown by the Suyanggae b), (b) side blow and subsequent trimming, and specimens (Figure 7.3: e-j). (c) opportunistic or no further trimming around Microblade detachment is mostly confined to the platform. A typical Yubetsu technique often one edge of the core, but may also occur on both recognized by Japanese scholars is the combina- ends (Figure 7.4: k) or circumferentially. An ex- tion of type 1 blank formation and type (a) plat- hausted core may have an acutely angled blade

Figure 7.3: Microblade cores from the central part of the Korean Peninsula. a: Mandal-ri; b: Jangheung-ri; c: Pyeongchang-ri; d: Sangmuryong-ri; e–j: Suyanggae (d, e, f, i, and j after Obata 2004:37).

107 Chapter 7 Yun (2002) (1996) (1992) (1990); (2003a) (2003b) (2002) (2000) et al. et al. et al. et al. et al. et al. et al. et al. Seo (1987) Lee Han Han Kim (2002) Kim Choi (2001) Choi Choi Source Choi (1989) Hong Yi Lee (1984, 1985, 1989c); Lee and (1992a) Unpublished Sohn (1973) - - scrapers, handaxes, Burins, endscrapers, awls, tanged points, Bifacial point point, burin Tanged Platform rejuvenation Burins, endscrapers Burin, flakes Obsidian flakes point Tanged Obsidian flakes, quartz, crystal core Burins, endscrapers point, end Tanged Other artifacts Other Burins microdrills flake choppers n.a. scrapers points, end Tanged (SNU02-326); (GX-29423); (SNU02-329); (SNU00-381) 400 BP 720 BP 200 BP 600 BP ± ± ± ± . (AERIK-8) (SNU02-325); 17,400 (SNU02-324); 16,600 (SNU02-327); 21,100 (SNU00-380); 24,400 (GX-29424) (GX-28422) (UCR-2078); (no Lab No. provided) 200 BP 500 BP 50 BP 600 BP 90 BP 600 BP 1880 BP C) ± ± ± ± ± ± ± 14 17,500 16,900 16,190 no data 22,200 no data no data no data no data 19,680 no data no data 24,200 no data no data c. 18,630 BP 20,830 Date ( c. 16,400 BP

S. shale**, Obsidian, s. shale Obsidian, s. shale S. shale S. shale S. shale, S. shale S. shale, S. shale S. shale S. shale Raw material Obsidian obsidian Obsidian Obsidian obsidian porphyry Microliths 5 mcores* 5 mcores 2 mcores, mblades 1 mcore 27 mcores 10 mcores, mblades 15 mblades 1 mcore (surface collection) 195 mcores, mblades 1 mcore (surface collection) 9 mcores 1 mcore 1 mcore 1 mcore (surface collection) . Site Mandal-ri Jangheung-ri Sanjuryong-ri Minrak-dong Hahwagye-ri Hopyeong (Hopyeong-dong) Sam-ri Pyeongchang-ri Suyanggae Cheongdang- dong Sokchang-ri Noeun-dong Daejeong-dong (Daejeon) Sinmak 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 10 12 13 14 Table 7.1: Microlithic sites and artifacts in the Korean Peninsula. sites and artifacts in the Korean 7.1: Microlithic Table

108 Chuntaek Seong (1988) (1988) (2005) (1988) Yi (1992b), Yun (1990a) (1990a, et al. et al. et al. et al. et al. Lee (2001) Park and Seo (2004) Choi and Lee (2001) Yi Lee (2004) Nakayama (1989) Ha (1999) Yi Lee and Lee Lim and 1990b) Lee Lee (2002a, 2002b) Kim (2002) Lee (1997) Kim (2002) Lee (Seong 2004a, 2004b). points Tanged Ground stone axe quartzite Endscraper, Ski-spall, refitted to mcore, endscrapers, Blades and flakes Burin, tanged point points, Tanged bifacial points, burins, endscrapers, ground stone artifacts, including axe Burins, points, awls, Flakes flakes chopper Scraper Endscraper Ski-spalls Bifacial points, tanged point n.a. n.a. n.a. endscrapers or ‘silicified tuff’ (SNU03-569); (SNU03-912) (SNU03-568); 190 BP 80 BP 300 BP ± ± ± While many excavation reports describe the rock as mudstone, hornfels, rhyolite, or (SNU03-914); 25,420 (SNU01-028) (SNU03-913); 20,960 (SNU03-915); 18,500 (SNU02-542) 350 BP 1000 BP 190 BP 270 BP 60 BP ± ± ± ± ± 22,850 no data no data no data no data no data no data no data no data no data no data 25,500 21,760 18,540 no data 10,200 no data no data crystal crystal

S. shale S. shale S. shale S. shale S. shale S. shale S. shale S. shale S. shale S. shale, quartz S. shale S. shale S. shale, obsidian, quartz S. shale Obsidian, porphyry, quartz n.a. crystal mblades 2 mcores Numerous mcores 3 mcores collection) 4 mcores 3 mcores 1 mcore 1 mcore 2 mcores 22 mcores, mblades 1 mcore 1 mcore More than 100 mcores 1 mcore mcore, mblade 2 mcore (surface . . . Jingeuneul Imbul-ri Jiphyeon Jangheung-ri Jung-dong Songjeon-ri Danghasan Daejeon (Hwasun) Geumpyeong Juksan Gokcheon Wolpyeong Yongso Donggoji Sinbuk Geumseong Gigok (Okkwa County) 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 * Mcore, mblade indicate microcore and microblade, respectively. ** Raw material labeled as S. shale is “siliceous shale” or “silicified tuff”. andesite, it is likely to represent a similar rock type that could collectively be called ‘siliceous shale’

109 Chapter 7 producing surface to the platform (Figure 7.3: h). handaxes, as exemplified by the Suyanggae col- It also seems that type 1 microcores with bifacial lection. Large tools were often made from vein preparation, which are relatively larger than other quartz and quartzite cobbles, while small arti- types, are more or less antecedent to the type 2 facts and microliths were manufactured on such and 3 cores (Seong 1998). fine-grained rocks as siliceous shale or tuff, and obsidian. Although large tools such as choppers Artifacts Associated with are included in some assemblages, they are still Microliths dominated by microblade technology. Small endscrapers are regularly associated Microlithic assemblages in Korea not only con- with microliths. Some 79 endscrapers were col- tain various small artifacts such as endscrapers, lected at Suyanggae, and they are mostly made sidescrapers, burins, points, and awls, but also from siliceous shale as were the microblades and large stone artifacts such as choppers and even microcores (Lee et al. 2001; Lee and Kong 2003;

Figure 7.4: Microblade cores from the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. a: Imbul-ri; b: Songjeon-ri; c–e: Daejeon; f: Geumpyeong; g–m: Wolpyeong (b and f after Jang 2002; c–e after Obata 2004:38; g–m after Lee 2002a).

110 Chuntaek Seong

Figure 7.6: e-f). Various types of endscraper are with microliths (Obata 2004). At the stratified site recognized in terms of the blanks on which they of Yongho-dong, a tanged point was unearthed were manufactured, including those with relatively from a layer beneath a horizon that was dated to thick flakes and blades as observed in the Wolpy- c. 38,000 BP (Han 2002). eong (Lee 2002a) and Suyanggae collections. In addition, bifacial points, much larger than Tanged points with stemming retouch around tanged points, were collected at the Suyanggae, the butt are important components in many Upper Daejeong, Sinbuk, and Wolpyeong sites (Lee Palaeolithic assemblages in Korea as well as in 2002a, 2004; Figure 7.5: f-g). Recently, ground western Japan. As shown in Table 7.1, nine mi- stone artifacts were also found associated with crolithic sites have yielded tanged points, includ- microliths at several Upper Palaeolithic sites. At ing Jangheung-ri, Hopyeong, Sam-ri, Suyanggae, Sinbuk, a ground stone axe and other types of Sokchang-ri, Jingeuneul, Juksan, Wolpyeong, ground stone artifacts were found in the same cul- and Sinbuk (Figure 7.5). Tanged points were tural horizon as microliths (Lee 2004). A ground also discovered at some other Upper Palaeolithic stone axe was also collected at the Jiphyeon site sites, such as Hwadae-ri, Yongho-dong, Yong- with many microcores and microblades (Park and san-dong, and Gorye-ri, without being associated Seo 2004) (Table 7.1).

Figure 7.5: Tanged points and bifacial points associated with microliths in Korea. a: Jangheung-ri; b-c, e: Suyanggae; d, f: Sokchang-ri; g-j:Wolpyeong (b, c, e and f after Jang 2002; g-j after Lee 2002a).

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Other interesting and important microliths as- Palaeolithic, or Late Palaeolithic, is traditionally sociated with microcores and microblades include defined by the dominance of blade technology in microdrills. At a recent excavation of the Hopy- lithic assemblages, we do not have clear evidence eong site near Seoul, a number of obsidian mi- of this before c. 30,000 BP in Korea. crodrills were unearthed along with endscrapers Only a small amount of archaeological data has and burins. Burins are also regularly associated been recovered that can be grouped into the blade with microliths as exemplified by the illustrated industry preceding the microlithic one. Neverthe- artifacts from Sokchang-ri (Figure 7.2) and Sang- less, the Gorye-ri assemblage from the southeast- muryong-ri (Figure 7.6; Table 7.1). ern corner of the Korean Peninsula contains large blades, blade cores, and tanged points made on Chronology of Microlithic blades (Jang 2001; Seo et al. 1999), and so do Assemblages the recent collections from Hwadae-ri (KNUM 2003), Yongho-dong (Han 2002), and Yongsan- Given that the microlithic tradition marks the dong (JICP 2004). Final Pleistocene lithic technology, it seems plau- A few AMS 14C dates show that these blade as- sible to assume that microblade technology was semblages are dated to c. 40,000–27,000 BP, and established based on the advanced technology thus, it is safe to say that the blade assemblages of the blade (i.e., not microblades, but large or predating the microlithic assemblages are com- normal sized blades) industry. While the Upper monly characterized by such artifacts as blades,

Figure 7.6: Burins and endscrapers associated with microliths in Korea. a-d: Sangmuryong-ri; e-f: Suyanggae (after Obata 2004:37-38).

112 Chuntaek Seong blade cores, and, importantly, tanged points. clear. From the description in Sohn (1993) and Tanged (or stemmed) points may have some other literature, the dated sample was likely to chronological significance, given that they large- have been taken beneath the microlithic horizon. ly predate the microlithic assemblages in west- This is, however, based on the interpretation of ern Japan (Matsufuji 2001; Obata 2004). Most the vertical stratigraphic profile, rather than the of the Gorye-ri artifacts were collected from the stratigraphic association between the sample and deposit above the AT tephra horizon where the AT artifacts. volcanic ash samples, originating from southern From a very sketchy perspective based on the Kyushu Island and dated to c. 25,000–24,000 BP, scale of assemblage comparison, microlithic as- were collected (Seo et al. 1999). semblages containing large blades and tanged Until the 1990s, only a few chronometric dates points may represent the earlier phase of the mi- for the microlithic tradition were available. The crolithic tradition, while those without tanged Sokchang-ri artifacts were recovered from a lay- points indicate the later phase. The earlier micro- er immediately below a deposit dated to around lithic phase may be dated to the last full glacial, 20,000 BP (Sohn 1993), and Suyanggae provided approximately 25,000–17,000 BP, as shown by 14C dates of c. 18,630 BP and c. 16,400 BP. Re- the radiometric dates from Sinbuk, Jingeuneul, cent progress, however, offers a basis on which Jangheung-ri, Hopyeong, and Suyanggae, where we can discuss the time span of the microlithic tanged points were found associated with micro- tradition in Korea. liths. The later phase of the microlithic tradition Despite the insufficient number of absolute may span the rest of the Late Pleistocene, as the dates, it appears that microlithic assemblages are 14C date from the Gigok site indicates. dated to Oxygen Isotope Stage (OIS) 2 and that In sum, the Upper Palaeolithic blade and micro- the microlithic tradition was established by the blade assemblages of Korea show three more or time of Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), around less successive phases: 1) assemblages character- 20,000 BP. This is well indicated in Table 7.1, ized by blades and tanged points without micro- which shows the available 14C dates of microliths; 2) assemblages marked by the association lithic sites of the Korean Peninsula. The Jang- of tanged points and microliths; and 3) assem- heung-ri cultural horizon containing microliths blages with microliths and without tanged points. yielded two AMS dates of 24,400 ± 600 BP and The first phase is represented by the Hwadae-ri, 24,200 ± 600 BP (Choi 2001), which are among Yongho-dong, Yongsan-dong, and Gorye-ri sites; the earliest dates for microlithic assemblages in the second phase by the Jangheung-ri, Hopyeong, Northeast Asia (see Kuzmin, this volume). The Suyanggae, Sockchang-ri, Jingeuneul, Wolpy- latest development in chronology of the early eong, Sinbuk, and Juksan sites; and the third microblade complexes in Korea is that the Sin- phase by the Hahwagye-ri, Gigok, and Jiphyeon buk site has the earliest microblade associated Jangheung-ri sites. 14C date in Korea at c. 25,400 BP (Lee 2004) (Table 7.1). The microlith-bearing horizons at The Microlithic Evolution Sockchang-ri (Sohn 1993), Jingeuneul (Lee 2001), Hopyeong (Hong et al. 2002), and Dae- While the microlithic tradition characterizes the jeon (Lee et al. 2002), were dated to c. 22,800– late Upper Palaeolithic industries, it is not clear 20,000 BP (Table 7.1). Thus, there is no doubt when and why it emerged and became established that the emergence of microlithic assemblages on the Korean Peninsula. Many scholars assume extends back to at least 20,000 BP in Korea, and that the microlithic tradition first appeared in the that the microlithic adaptation had become wide- north and then diffused to the south (Kato 1992; spread by the onset of the LGM. Table 7.1 also Lee 1999), but I do not agree with this simple summarizes artifacts associated with microblades diffusionist point of view (Seong 2000, 2001). and microcores. Rather, as I discussed above, little difference in the The association between the microlithic as- early dates of microlithic assemblages between semblage and 14C date at Sockchang-ri is un- northern China and Korea can be recognized (see

113 Chapter 7 also Kuzmin, this volume; Keates, this volume). as marginal insets for projectile points and knives, Furthermore, during the last glacial, the Korean which represent very durable and reliable tools in Peninsula was simply part of the continent given a harsh environment as Elston and Brantingham that the sea shelf of the modern day Yellow Sea (2002) have proposed. While both tanged points was exposed. We cannot, and need not, pinpoint and microblades were used in the earlier phase where microblade technology initially originated, of the microlithic tradition, they were probably and, instead, the research focus should be placed used for hunting relatively large and medium- on the ecological and evolutionary processes sized game, which was essential for the survival behind the establishment of the microlithic tra- of mobile hunter-gatherers during the LGM. As dition. Although we do not have sufficient evi- for the dispersal of microlithic technology, it is dence, it would be more reasonable to view the likely that high mobility in harsh and unpredict- establishment of microlithic technology from an able environments in turn triggered the spread of evolutionary perspective focusing on the ecologi- microblade technology in a relatively short period cal conditions prompting the high mobility of of time. Late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers. The archaeological evidence suggests that tools The distribution of microlithic assemblages in with microblades dominated the hunting equip- Northeast Asia is largely confined to the north- ment used after the LGM, the period character- ern latitudes, which strongly suggests that the ized by fluctuating climates and increasing sea- microlithic tradition was closely associated with sonality (COHMAP Project Members 1988). This human adaptation to cold and harsh environments probably resulted in a situation where high-ranked (Elston and Brantingham 2002; Jang 1995; Seong resources became exhausted regionally due to mi- 2000). Given that the emergence of microlithic gration and changing environments, with hunter- assemblages could date to the onset of the last full gatherers responding by widening their dietary glacial, the hypothesis of cold adaptation is also breadth (Kelly 1995). Microblade tools may have applicable to the Korean cases as well as northern been primarily used for hunting large and medi- China and Siberia. um-sized game, but they were also likely to have From a behavioural ecological perspective, been used for a variety of other purposes. Low- adaptive responses to harsh environments with an ranked resources, including small mammals and uneven resource distribution are characterized by plant seeds, or even fish, may have been increas- an increasing dependence on large and medium- ingly targeted by post-LGM hunter-gatherers. In sized game. This was the most reliable strategy for this vein, multi-functional composite tools using last glacial mobile hunter-gatherers (e.g., Kelly microblades represented a risk-minimizing strat- 1995; Kuhn and Stiner 2001). Tanged points and egy in unpredictable environments. This explana- microblades were considered as parts of the hunt- tion is well applicable to the Korean Palaeolithic ing equipment: a tanged point was likely used in- data in which assemblages dated to the height dividually and inserted into the haft of a projectile of OIS 2 (c. 24,000–17,000 BP) contain both weapon, while a series of microblades constituted tanged points and microliths, while those dated to a composite tool. It is generally thought that mi- c. 17,000–10,000 BP are dominated by microliths croblades were attached to a bone or antler shaft and related artifacts without tanged points.

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