Special Issue: Reduction Sequence, Chaîne Opératoire, and Other Methods: The Epistemologies of Different Approaches to Lithic Analysis. The History and Efficacy of the Chaîne Opératoire Approach to Lithic Analysis: Studying Techniques to Reveal Past Societies in an Evolutionary Perspective.

Abstract

We present here a brief history of the origins and development of the concept of chaîne opératoire, followed by de-tails of the theory of the technological approach (including the protocol), in order to illustrate the gradual shift in lithic analyses in France:• from a Natural Science, and the study of the “progressive development of Prehistoric Humans,”• to Anthropology, and the use of techniques to investigate societies through an evolutionary perspective.We also elaborate/provide insights on the limits, advantages, and potential future directions for the technological approach. Throughout this paper, we focus on the technological approach developed in France and give examples taken mainly from the Middle Paleolithic, our main area of expertise.This special issue is guest edited by Gilbert B. Tostevin (Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota). This is article #5 of 7.