Question

What is the Mousterian tool tradition in the Middle Paleolithic? a) The Mousterian tool tradition is a type of Middle Paleolithic music. b) The Mousterian tool tradition is a well-known form of pottery-making. c) The Mousterian tool tradition is a prominent stone tool tradition in the Middle Paleolithic. d) The Mousterian tool tradition is a religious practice in the Middle Paleolithic.

Answer 1

The Mousterian tool tradition, associated with Neanderthals in the Middle Paleolithic period, was a significant stone tool tradition that marked the use of stone flakes to create smaller, sharper, and more versatile tools.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Mousterian tool tradition refers to a significant stone tool tradition prominent in the Middle Paleolithic period. Associated with Neanderthals, these tools are far superior to Acheulean tools, which were the dominant previous style. The Mousterian tools were essentially small hand-axes and tools made from stone flakes rather than cores. Stone flakes were chipped off in such a way that they themselves could be used as tools, including small knives for cutting meat, scraping leather, and serving as spearhead attachments. This resulted in smaller, sharper tools with increased versatility and utility. Advances in the Mousterian techniques later led to the development of other tool traditions. This transformation marked an important evolution in the human capacity for crafting tools and signifies an increased cognitive complexity in hominins during the Middle Paleolithic era.

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