For almost a century, the Levantine Mousterian facies B, C and D first defined by Dorothy Garrod at Mugharet et-Tabun have figured prominently in discussions of spatial and temporal variability in the Middle Paleolithic of the Levant.... more
For almost a century, the Levantine Mousterian facies B, C and D first defined by Dorothy Garrod at Mugharet et-Tabun have figured prominently in discussions of spatial and temporal variability in the Middle Paleolithic of the Levant. Although much modified by subsequent workers, and frequently described qualitatively, the compositional integrity of these basic analytical units has never been assessed quantitatively. Here we describe the statistical parameters of the facies using a large data set comprising 54 collections from 20 sites assigned by the excavators to one or another of the facies. A statistical summary revealed many cross-cutting patterns that departed from qualitative descriptions of the facies, calling their compositional integrity into question. A multivariate discriminant analysis helped resolve some of these problems. It confirmed a strong statistical affinity between the B and C facies, which were in turn sharply differentiated from D. Our results are then compared with the stratified Mousterian sequence at Hummal, a site in the Syrian Desert. Relatively good correspondence was attained. Implications of the analysis are discussed in terms of the adequacy of the systematics used to identify facies differences and what they might mean behaviorally.
The site of Mitḥam C is adjacent to the Beer Sheva city market and was excavated during the years 2004–2006. It is a stratified site that was settled during the Byzantine, Late Roman, Iron Age II and Chalcolithic periods. Ghassulian... more
The site of Mitḥam C is adjacent to the Beer Sheva city market and was excavated during the years 2004–2006. It is a stratified site that was settled during the Byzantine, Late Roman, Iron Age II and Chalcolithic periods. Ghassulian remains of the Chalcolithic period were uncovered on virgin soil at the western part of the excavated area under the Iron Age II and Late Roman-Byzantine remains. The Ghassulian remains consist of a living surface and refuse pits which were partially truncated and disturbed by walls and pits of the later occupations. The limited Chalcolithic remains include numerous flint artifacts, waste as well as tools, mostly products of a Ghassulian sickle blade industry. The technotypological analyses of the artifacts indicate that these are remains of a specialized workshop. The close proximity of Mitḥam C to the already known Beit Eshel workshop site suggests that this locality was a center where specialized flint knappers were producing high quantities of sickle blades, probably for inhabitants of other sites such as the nearby Tel Abu Matar and Bir es-Safadi.
The conceit of this paper is to introduce TAG 2014 Session 4. Within archaeology there has arisen an increasingly artificial polemic of science versus 'theory' associated with a pervasive myopic view that there is only one type of... more
The conceit of this paper is to introduce TAG 2014 Session 4. Within archaeology there has arisen an increasingly artificial polemic of science versus 'theory' associated with a pervasive myopic view that there is only one type of archaeological 'theory' ― namely, higher order 'hyper-theory' centred on philosophical appropriations, rather than 'low order' methodological or scientific approaches. At its most extreme archaeology seems to have become caricatured into two extreme positions: the ' I don't do science' and the 'I don't do theory' groups. This has resulted in a deep seated division within archaeology between a between an approach that has a viable research methodology, but ignores social, political and cultural engagements and an approach that emphasises a social understanding of material culture, but lacks an explicit methodology. This paper will demonstrate the myriad consequences of this divide between science and theory and the need to combine, rather than oppose both approaches so as to transcend this difficult polemic within archaeology. This will be illustrated by a case study showcasing a holistic systematic methodology and referential framework for the Mesolithic.
This is an ongoing project to undertake a modern upto date Technological attributes lithic analysis of British Late Glacial (Palaeolithic) and Post-Glacial (Long blade and Mesolithic) sites. One aim is to test a newly developed Analytical... more
This is an ongoing project to undertake a modern upto date Technological attributes lithic analysis of British Late Glacial (Palaeolithic) and Post-Glacial (Long blade and Mesolithic) sites. One aim is to test a newly developed Analytical Lithics Module (ALM) which is part of the Lithoscapes Referential Framework Model (LFRM). The ALM 1.0 was conceived during the Author’s doctoral studies and development continues with the current version 1.1.1. Another Aim is to test several reduction trajectories and mobility models proposed in the Author’s doctoral research. This project will be conducted in the open, and more material will be posted as it is produced.
The Levantine Middle Paleolithic lasted approximately 200 kyr (c. 260-50 kya), extending from OIS 7 through the early part of OIS 3. Regional systematics are primarily based on three facies that were first defined by Garrod for the ‘type... more
The Levantine Middle Paleolithic lasted approximately 200 kyr (c. 260-50 kya), extending from OIS 7 through the early part of OIS 3. Regional systematics are primarily based on three facies that were first defined by Garrod for the ‘type site’ of Tabun Cave, and yet these facies may not capture variation found in other Levantine assemblages. Here we examine the compositional integrity of the Tabun facies using a series of quantitative analyses on collections from 56 levels and 19 different sites to show that variability is often inconsistent with and can be masked by the classification system.
This paper present a classification method for BN1Gp (cores) exploitation systems, based on the relationship between the different core features. There are three levels of classification. The first one discriminates between exploitation... more
This paper present a classification method for BN1Gp (cores) exploitation systems, based on the relationship between the different core features. There are three levels of classification. The first one discriminates between exploitation systems by their number of knapping surfaces. On the second level the hierarchical feature is the relationship between the knapping surfaces and the striking platform or between two knapping surfaces. The third level of classification is the direction of removals on that surfaces.
