Abstract
While predetermined débitage technologies are recognized beginning with the middle Acheulian, the Middle Paleolithic is usually associated with a sharp increase in their use. A study of scraper-blank technology from three Yabrudian assemblages retrieved from the early part of the Acheulo-Yabrudian complex of Tabun Cave (ca. 415–320 kyr) demonstrates a calculated and preplanned production, even if it does not show the same complexity and elaboration as in the Levallois technology. These scraper dominated assemblages show an organization of production based on an intensive use of predetermination blank technology already in place at the end of the Lower Paleolithic of the Levant. These results provide a novel perspective on the differences and similarities between the Lower and Middle Paleolithic industries. We suggest that there was a change in the paradigm in the way hominins exploited stone tools: in many Middle Paleolithic assemblages the potential of the stone tools for hafting was a central feature, in the Lower Paleolithic ergonometric considerations of manual prehension were central to the design of blanks and tools.
Highlights
The Yabrudian is one of three facies that make up the Acheulo-Yabrudian cultural complex
Its three facies, defined according to the frequencies of key artifact forms, are the Acheulian with conspicuous handaxe manufacture and flake production, the Yabrudian with numerous scrapers made on large flakes, and the Amudian with conspicuous blade production and numerous ‘Upper Paleolithic’ tool types [5
In this paper we focus on the Acheulo-Yabrudian complex, which comes from Garrod’s Layer E, Jelinek’s Units XXIV and Ronen’s Layers R47-R63
Summary
The Yabrudian is one of three facies (or industries) that make up the Acheulo-Yabrudian cultural complex. This group of assemblages is generally dated between 415-250/220 kyr [1,2,3,4]. In the past these facies were thought to represent different cultures [7,8] and even hominin types [9,10]. Jelinek [11,12,13] and Copeland [14,15], most researches assume that the three assemblage types represent different variants of a single cultural complex, perhaps reflecting fluctuating activity frequencies. The concept of the Acheulo-Yabrudian as a single heterogeneous culture complex is supported by recent studies demonstrating spatial differentiation [16] in assemblage composition within a single layer, as well as continuity in technological knowledge and performance among the three facies [17]
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