The Middle Paleolithic artifacts from Manot Cave (Western Galilee), Israel

Summary

Manot Cave in situated within the Levantine Mediterranean region. The site has an extensive Upper Paleolithic sequence, including both Aurignacian and Ahmarian traditions. Several of the artifacts found within these assemblages belong to the Levallois technology. A small number of the artifacts, found in association with Upper Paleolithic occupational surfaces, have a double patina, possibly due to reuse. The majority are fresh suggesting the presence of a Middle Paleolithic occupation at the site. This study will present the Levallois Middle Paleolithic artifacts from the cave. The Levallois techno-typological traits indicate resemblance to other mid-late Middle Paleolithic techno-complexes present in the region.

One of the Levallois centripetal cores from the collection exhibits a series of line engravings on its cortex-covered face. These incisions are organized radially, in a fan-shaped design, and are thought to reflect a non-utilitarian practice. The incisions were performed prior to the last removals from the flaking surface, and thus cannot be related to re-use of the core at a later period. Two other examples, dating to the Middle Paleolithic, are known from Quneitra and Qafzeh. Both present engravings on cortex-covered surfaces of flint plaques.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Manot Cave: In Search of Modern Humans

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 14945