TY - JOUR
T1 - Predetermined flake production at the Lower/Middle Paleolithic boundary
T2 - Yabrudian scraper-blank technology
AU - Shimelmitz, Ron
AU - Kuhn, Steven L.
AU - Ronen, Avraham
AU - Weinstein-Evron, Mina
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 Shimelmitz et al.
PY - 2014/9/5
Y1 - 2014/9/5
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84906996755&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0106293
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0106293
M3 - Article
C2 - 25192429
AN - SCOPUS:84906996755
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 9
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
IS - 9
M1 - e106293
ER -