Program > By author > Sitouah Badredine

Excavations of the Iberomaurusian and post-Iberomaurusian levels of the Holocene site of Columnata (Tiaret, western Algeria) have yielded numerous bone fragments, many of which were partially or totally transformed. Among the groups determined, the perforating group is the most important, which suggests a specialization and greater needs linked to specific activities. In the Columnatian layer, polishing becomes systematic and both proximal and distal parts become active.

High-resolution examination of the surfaces provides an insight into both the manufacturing processes and the evidence of use. The comparison of these data with what is known about the Mediterranean Epipaleolithic and Eastern Capsian traditions highlights the locality's distinctiveness and provides information on technological evolution during the Lower and Middle Holocene.