Abstract The aim of this study is to understand Neanderthals' techno-functional behavior at Riparo Tagliente (VR). To this purpose, the use-wear analysis on the lithic artefacts from the upper levels of the Mousterian sequences was carried out. In particular, two main features of the Mousterian lithic assemblage of Riparo Tagliente are considered: how the laminar component and the pointed tools were differently used. The use of blades in the Mousterian period represents a debated issue: many scholars interpret the Mousterian blades as specific tools used as butchering knives, while others underline their use as undifferentiated tools. The use of pointed tools is also an interesting topic: if different scholars stress their undifferentiated use, others propose their use as spear points. The use-wear analysis completed on the Riparo Tagliente's Mousterian lithic assemblage highlights a general opportunistic behavior in the use of knapping products. Concerning the relation between the artefacts' use and their typology, the data collected suggests a relation between blades and butchering activities and an undifferentiated use of pointed tools. Our study also underlines the identification of wear traces on flakes that are usually considered as waste products (i.e. management-flakes of Levallois cores and reshaping flakes), suggesting that we should reconsider the definition of waste products in the light of the use-wear analysis results.

中文翻译：

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旧石器时代中期刀片和尖头工具的使用，Riparo Tagliente (VR) 的例子

摘要 本研究的目的是了解尼安德特人在 Riparo Tagliente (VR) 的技术功能行为。为此，对穆斯特层序上层的石器制品进行了使用磨损分析。特别是，考虑了 Riparo Tagliente 的穆斯特岩组合的两个主要特征：层流组件和尖头工具的使用方式不同。穆斯特时期刀片的使用代表了一个有争议的问题：许多学者将穆斯特时期的刀片解释为用作屠刀的特定工具，而其他人则强调它们作为无差别的工具使用。尖头工具的使用也是一个有趣的话题：如果不同的学者强调其无差别使用，其他人则建议将其用作矛尖。在 Riparo Tagliente 的 Mousterian 石器组合上完成的使用磨损分析强调了使用 knapping 产品中的一般机会主义行为。关于文物的使用与其类型之间的关系，收集到的数据表明刀片和屠宰活动之间存在关系，以及尖头工具的无差别使用之间的关系。我们的研究还强调了通常被视为废品的薄片（即勒瓦卢瓦芯的管理薄片和重塑薄片）上的磨损痕迹的识别，这表明我们应该根据使用磨损分析重新考虑废品的定义结果。收集到的数据表明刀片和屠宰活动之间的关系以及尖头工具的无差别使用。我们的研究还强调了通常被视为废品的薄片（即勒瓦卢瓦芯的管理薄片和重塑薄片）上的磨损痕迹的识别，这表明我们应该根据使用磨损分析重新考虑废品的定义结果。收集到的数据表明刀片和屠宰活动之间的关系以及尖头工具的无差别使用。我们的研究还强调了通常被视为废品的薄片（即勒瓦卢瓦芯的管理薄片和重塑薄片）上的磨损痕迹的识别，这表明我们应该根据使用磨损分析重新考虑废品的定义结果。