The Apprentice Core: Evidence from a Lithic Refitting at the Upper Palaeolithic Site Kyushirataki-5 in Hokkaido, Northern Japan

Abstract

The sequences of lithic reduction can be generally divided into discrete stages according to the chronological context of removal groups. Differences in technical skill levels between the reduction stages can inform us of shifts in knappers during the manufacturing processes and their relationships. This chapter presents an analysis of the stages of reduction in blade production among the refitted set no. 2997 from the Upper Palaeolithic site Kyushirataki-5 in Hokkaido, Northern Japan, and discusses whether a change in technical skill level occurred between the reduction stages. The identification of the skill levels is based on several diagnostic indicators of master and novice craftsmanship and whether there are missing blades (ghost blades). The results show that a change in the technical skill levels between the reduction stages occurred abruptly, and this can be interpreted as representing a shift in knappers from master to novice. The knapping of the novices, reusing the abandoned core, is thought to have been a training exercise for acquiring the skill of blade production. The evidence suggests that cores already knapped by masters were favored for use as the materials for novices' exercises, even if plenty of lithic raw materials were easily available.