For an anthropological approach of neolithic ground stone tools

Since two decades, the technological study of ground stone tools appeared a key new approach to reconstruct the economy and social organization of Neolithic societies. Provenance studies contributed to refine the strategies and territories of raw material exploitation. Based on experiments and actualistic referentials, use-wear and residues analysis of ground stone tools enlighten foodways and craft activities within households.

Their spatial distribution within settlements and necropolis allow discuss specialization processes and division of tasks from a gender perspective, as well as self-sufficiency or complementarity of domestic units. Finally, the spread of grinding tools types appears a good indicator of intercultural contacts and of symbolic representations. Taking different examples from western Europe, we will illustrate how ground stone tools study offer an original but essential contribution to the study of Neolithic societies.