Pointing to the Ahmarian. Lithic Technology and the El-Wad Points of Al-Ansab 1

Abstract The Ahmarian is the earliest fully fledged Upper Palaeolithic Levantine industry, and its hallmark el-Wad point, assumed to be a projectile implement. blade-bladelet volumetric industry; however, bladelet production has frequently been portrayed as undifferentiated or secondary blade production. El-Wad points are blades bladelets with fine steep lateral retouch, often further shaping tip. role of blades, both in retouched unretouched assemblages, highly debated order refine Early (EUP) taxonomical technological issues. Here, we use data coming from our excavations at southern site Al-Ansab 1 reconsider assemblage. We show that was key, were mostly used shape convexities produce convergent bladelets. point blanks stemmed an early stage reduction sequence, being conventionally classified small big Modification these likely improved their suboptimal shape, while smaller not modified. Our detailed review existing literature produced corresponding evidence regarding lithic technology, exact function still pending on complementary use-wear analyses. With new data, expect provoke reconsideration system. As attract more attention EUP research, propose had already completed cultural shift preferred inserts.