Is It a Core? A Chisel-like tool? A Vaguely Anthropomorphic Figurine? Or All or None of the Above? A Newly Discovered Limestone Object from Heidesheim am Rhein, Germany

This paper presents an unusually elongated limestone object which appears to have been culturally modified. It was found at a multiperiod surface site in the German village of Heidesheim am Rhein. Three additional limestone objects from the same site will also be presented, as they too display an artifactual character. What is especially problematic, however, is the fact that the site is a natural source of limestone. A careful examination of these objects was therefore undertaken to determine whether or not they are indeed artifacts. The presence of typical percussion features on three of the objects suggests an anthropogenic origin, as does the presence of striated abrasion facets on the fourth specimen. On the basis of certain technological and typological features, the unusually elongated object can probably be assigned to the (Late) Middle Paleolithic.In addition to describing these and other limestone objects from Heidesheim am Rhein, a brief overview of knapped limestone artifacts from Germany and Western Europe will be provided. Also included is an overview of prehistoric chisel-like tools, in particular those which were created by a transverse burin-like removal.