Lithic Production in the Final Mesolithic in the Cantabrian Mountains: Levels III and IV at La Uña Cave (León, N Spain)

ABSTRACT The lithic operational chains at the Mesolithic site of La Uña (León, N Spain) have been analysed and reconstructed through a joint study of the raw material provenance and technological characteristics of the assemblage. Differences in the management of each raw material have been observed, and three degrees of integrity of the chaîne opératoire (complete, incomplete and broken) have been differentiated. In addition, two main production targets have been identified: flakes and laminar blanks. Specific operational chains were followed to obtain each one. Differences between the raw materials have also been observed in the main production of blanks, with four groups: exclusively flakes, exclusively blade/bladelets, mixed with preference for blade/bladelets and mixed with preference for flakes.