Understanding small hunter-gatherer campsites through spatial-functional analysis. Three mesolithic case studies from Poland

Abstract

This paper presents a methodological framework for analyzing the organization of Mesolithic campsites using three eastern European archaeological case studies from Poland. Our methodology involved spatial and functional analysis through the refitting of flint items, microwear tool analyses and a spatial analysis of the distribution of items. In addition, we discuss the scientific relevance of small hunter-gatherer campsites, where a detailed spatial-functional analysis can be highly relevant to understand the everyday life and productive activities of these groups. Both our approach and conclusions may prove to be comparatively useful in larger and more complex Mesolithic sites.