Selection and standardisation in Aboriginal exchange networks: Leilira macroblades of northern and central Australia

Résumé fourni par la source

Leilira are large stone macroblades produced by Aboriginal Australians and documented in long-distance exchange networks across northern and central Australia during the late Holocene. Ethnographic accounts describe quarrying episodes in which many blades were produced but only a small subset was retained for exchange or ceremonial circulation. Despite these observations, the technological characteristics of blades associated with exchange have rarely been examined quantitatively. This study analyses 376 leilira and leilira-like macroblades from archaeological and ethnographic collections using technological attributes, elongation ratios, symmetry measures and three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. Specimens derive from quarry contexts, habitation sites and ethnographic collections, allowing comparison among production, use/discard and curated collection contexts. Ethnographic specimens are significantly more elongated and symmetrical than those from quarry and habitation contexts and show reduced variability in geometric morphometric analyses. Quarry assemblages capture broad variability generated during macroblade production, whereas habitation assemblages reflect modification through use, retouch and breakage. Ethnographic specimens occupy a more restricted region of morphospace. These patterns are consistent with strong selection for particular blade forms, while recognising that museum acquisition histories may also have contributed to the restricted morphology of ethnographic collections.

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