Acheulo-Yabrudian complex

The Acheulo-Yabrudian complex is an archaeological culture in the Levant at the end of the Lower Palaeolithic. It follows the Acheulian and precedes the Mousterian. It is also called the Mugharan Tradition.[1]

The Acheulo-Yabrudian complex has three periods: the Acheulo-Yabrudian, the Yabrudian and the Pre-Aurignacian or Amudian. The Yabrudian period is dominated by thick scrapers shaped by steep Quina retouch; the Acheuleo-Yabrudian period contains Yabrudian scrapers and handaxes; and the Pre-Aurignacian/Amudian period is dominated by blades and blade-tools.

Dating

Determining the age period for the Acheulo-Yabrudian has been difficult as its major excavations occurred in the 1930s and 1950s before modern radiometric dating. The recently excavated Qesem and Tabun caves, however, suggest the oldest period is about 350 kyr and the most recent 200 kyr. This would make the Lower–Middle Palaeolithic transition rapid occurring at 215,000 BP within a 30,000 year period.[2]

Major sites

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jelinek, A.J., 1990. The Amudian in the context of the Mugharan Tradition at the Tabun Cave (Mount Carmel), Israel. In: Mellars, P. (Ed.), The Emergence of Modern Humans. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, pp. 81-90 ISBN 978-0-8014-2614-8
  2. ↑ Barkai, R; Gopher, A; Lauritzen, SE; Frumkin, A (2003). "Uranium series dates from Qesem Cave, Israel, and the end of the Lower Palaeolithic" (PDF). Nature 423 (6943): 977–9. doi:10.1038/nature01718. PMID 12827199.
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