This article presents the results of an extensive coring programme and a test excavation at Wetsingermaar (province of Groningen, the Netherlands). The corings made clear that the archaeological site spans over 1.5 ha and islocated on the waterfront of a submerged Pleistocene ridge. The test excavation yielded ceramics, flints and other stone material, and archaeozoological remains. On the basis of its cultural remains it is concluded that Wetsingermaar constitutes an early site of the Funnel Beaker Culture ( Trichterbecherkultur , TRB), predating the Horizon 1 of Drouwen TRB as defined by Brindley (1988b). This early phase is termed pre-Drouwen TRB (cf. Bakker, 1979: 115). The flint industry is similar to younger TRB assemblages, while the ceramic and archaeozoological evidence is difficult to interpret as a result of the fragmentary condition of the finds and the near absence of contemporaneous sites.

The existing definitions of bipolar pieces and the interpretation of the bipolar technique are numerous. They are often classified in a functional way, or by production process, production purpose, or producer's gender. Recently it has been seen as evidence of varying degrees of skill and age: apprenticeship. To investigate the validity of these interpretations, the bipolar pieces of the Swifterbant type-site are typologically, technologically, and microscopically analyzed which resulted in three morphologically different signatures. One by one, the different theories are examined for compatibility to the artifacts. This has some surprising results. Not all theories bear the test and some are therefore dismissed. Furthermore, it appears that more definitions may co-exist as they apply to different aspects or levels of interpretation. Although the bipolar pieces at the Swifterbant type-site are, in exceptional cases, opportunistically used as a tool, they are more often cores; cores indicating different levels of skill. The combination of large platform cores and small bipolar cores points towards a maximum exploitation of all the raw material available. The last question that needs to be answered is whether this was the result of raw material shortage or a conscious choice.

The existing definitions of bipolar pieces and the interpretation of the bipolar technique are numerous. They are often classified in a functional way, or by production process, production purpose, or producer's gender. Recently it has been seen as evidence of varying degrees of skill and age: apprenticeship. To investigate the validity of these interpretations, the bipolar pieces of the Swifterbant type-site are typologically, technologically, and microscopically analyzed which resulted in three morphologically different signatures. One by one, the different theories are examined for compatibility to the artifacts. This has some surprising results. Not all theories bear the test and some are therefore dismissed. Furthermore, it appears that more definitions may co-exist as they apply to different aspects or levels of interpretation. Although the bipolar pieces at the Swifterbant type-site are, in exceptional cases, opportunistically used as a tool, they are more often cores; cores indicating different levels of skill. The combination of large platform cores and small bipolar cores points towards a maximum exploitation of all the raw material available. The last question that needs to be answered is whether this was the result of raw material shortage or a conscious choice.

The Mesolithic-Neolithic transition is traditionally defined by a change in subsistence strategy. New ideas are picked up, and animal husbandry and cereal cultivation are adopted as hunter-gatherers evolve. This article examines whether these economic changes stand on their own or lead to changes in other aspects of life. The study will illustrate the innovations in the flint and stone industry (including ornaments) during the Swifterbant period (5000–3400 BC). These include changing debitage techniques and preferences, and the abandonment of the micro-burin technique, but also the introduction of grinding stones, polished axes and amber ornaments. The significance of these new features will be investigated as characteristics of the changing identity of the Swifterbant Culture.