Middle Palaeolithic point technology, with a focus on the site of Tor Faraj (Jordan, MIS 3)

Lithics of the late Middle Palaeolithic: Post MIS 5 technological variability and its implications

“…They include reminders of the utility of cave/rockshelter sites to understand hominin behaviour and change through time (e.g. De la Peña and Wadley, 2014;Faivre et al, 2014;Grimaldi and Santaniello, 2014;Groucutt, 2014;Lewis et al, 2014;Moncel et al, 2014;Picin et al, 2014), but also that open air sites are critical to any understanding of landscape use (Blinkhorn, 2014;Mackay et al, 2014a;Oestmo et al, 2014). Blinkhorn (2014), for instance, demonstrates that surface sites can sometimes be associated with maximum ages based on their position in the landscape.…”

“…This takes many forms, from the preparation of dorsal convexity to resultant aspects of point shape, such as elongation and flattening. In size terms, 50% of points occur within a weight range of just over 10 g, a length range of less than 15 mm and a width range of 10 mm (Groucutt, 2014). Such data indicates the utility of considering Middle Palaeolithic technology in terms of factors such as function, mobility and adaptation, rather than seeking dichotomies between 'archaic' and 'modern' technologies.…”

“…Through such considerations they emphasise that while sharing many similarities with other African industries, the Aterian needs to be understood by considering factors such as the specific character of the associated environments, raw material procurement strategies and settlement systems with which it is associated in the various regions of North Africa. Groucutt (2014) analyses Levallois point production at the MIS 3 site of Tor Faraj, Jordan. This is a well-preserved site, regarded by the excavators as demonstrating the occupation of the southern Levant by Neanderthals (Henry, 2003).…”

“…Dichotomies have been made between African projectiles and Eurasian thrusting spears (assuming a normative function as weapon tips). Groucutt (2014) challenges this dichotomy, as well as presenting a detailed overview of point technology at Tor Faraj. Groucutt (2014) regards point production at Tor Faraj as demonstrating many aspects of standardisation.…”

“…Groucutt (2014) challenges this dichotomy, as well as presenting a detailed overview of point technology at Tor Faraj. Groucutt (2014) regards point production at Tor Faraj as demonstrating many aspects of standardisation. This takes many forms, from the preparation of dorsal convexity to resultant aspects of point shape, such as elongation and flattening.…”