Behind the scenes. Introduction to the human activities in the Iron Gates region. Preliminary use-wear analysis of chipped stone artefacts from Lepenski Vir and Padina (Serbia)

For decades, a closed eco-niche like Iron Gates in Eastern Serbia enabled specialists to explore the transition to a sedentary life, with an exceptional record of human occupation during the Late Glacial and Early Holocene. Following the series of published analysis from the architecture to the prehistoric diet of the Iron Gates inhabitants, our research aims to present the newest results regarding the use-wear analysis of chipped stone artefacts from Lepenski Vir and Padina site with a broader focus on the transition from Mesolithic to Neolithic in this region. Applying the use-wear analysis is done by using both low and high-power approach together with FTIR analysis. Gained results were interpreted in light with the already stated hypotheses focused on daily routine, but also addressing some longterm aspects like changes in the economy. We observed both function and technology of chipped stone artefacts coming from houses, middens, hearth areas, and open-air spaces. Based on the results, some of the main activities that took part in Iron Gates are processing of hide, bone, antler, fish and vegetable-based plants. It is very important to highlight the complexity of various processes, which make this already specific area more peculiar. Variety of both simple, but overall more complex and composite activities are recorded with the elaborate preparation of the used materials, for example, hide. Particular processes, as butchering was noted both inside the houses, and also concentrated in precise, specific areas in the settlements, where only tools involved in the processing of hide and meat, connected strictly to butchering were found. Obtained data highlights the activities of these advanced hunter-gatherers and fishermen, and first farmers, together with spatial analysis revealed the dynamics and processes in Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic, but also posed many questions regarding the specialization of the prehistoric settlements on the Danube.