Towards the Origin of Microblade Technology in Northeastern Asia

Abstract

Microblade technology is one of the most remarkable phenomena in the Upper Paleolithic of northern Eurasia, primarily the northern and eastern regions of Asia. Here we present an overview of the most recent developments in attempting to understand the emergence and spread of this technology, based on data known for Siberia and the Russian Far East, Mongolia, China, Korea, and Japan. The main assumptions for selection of the earliest microblade complexes are: 1) the presence of three artifact types: wedge-shaped microcores; microblades; and retouched (utilized) microblades; 2) a reliable chronology based on critical evaluation of radiocarbon dates; and 3) the stratigraphic integrity of artifacts. The pressure flaking was a technique to make microblades, and this is important issue which was often not taken into account previously. Based on these criteria, the oldest microblade-bearing complexes for each of the regions listed above were selected. Using these data, we can conclude that the earliest evidence of microblade technology is known from the Korean Peninsula where it is dated to ca. 25,500–24,200 BP. In other regions (China, Siberia, Russian Far East and Japan), the first microblade assemblages are dated to ca. 21,100–19,400 BP. As a result of our analysis, two possible explanations for the emergence of microblade technology in northern and eastern Asia can be considered: 1) invention and diffusion from a single core area; and 2) independent creation in several places and subsequent expansion. Currently, we cannot solve this issue, but generate some suggestions which may bring us closer toward identifying its origin and spread. Factual data as presented in this paper can be used as a primary source for future research.