Abstract This paper presents the limestone reduction sequences documented in levels M and Ob at Abric Romaní from a technological point of view. At level M, recurrent knapping system has been identified, resulting frequency pseudo-Levallois blanks. archaeolevel Ob, presence Levallois methods are observed association with this system. In both cases, retouched tools rare dominated by notches dent...

In the south west of France the majority of research concerning the Middle-to-Upper Palaeolithic transition tends to focus upon the Chatelperronian and Aurignacian at the expense of the end of the Middle Palaeolithic. This contribution attempts to rectify this shortcoming by demonstrating that the classic model of a direct MTA-Chatelperronian filiation is no longer valid as these two techno-com...

The Acheulean to Middle Stone Age (MSA) transition is examined from an evolutionary perspective. The replacement of Acheulean handaxes by MSA points represents a shift from hand-held to hafted technology, but the timing and nature of this process are poorly understood due to the rarity of sites from the early MSA (EMSA), here defined as the portion of the MSA predating 130,000 years ago. The we...

Lithic artefacts are usually associated with the different knapping methods used in their production. Flakes exhibit metric and technological features representative of flaking method to detach them. However, lithic production is a dynamic process which discrete can be blurred, vary throughout process. An intermediate between discoid Levallois commonly referred under an umbrella terms (the pres...

The characteristics and distribution of “Nubian" Levallois technology have been prominent in recent discussions Middle Palaeolithic/Middle Stone Age technological variability its implications. Here we explore Nubian by focusing on the relative “standardization” TH.69 assemblage from western Dhofar, one most “Nubian” all assemblages. Aspects evaluated include shape cores dorsal surface preparati...

Alain Arneodo, Jean-Philippe Bouchaud, Rama Cont, Jean-François Muzy, Marc Potters and Didier Sornette ( Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, Av. Schweitzer, 33600 Pessac, France 2 Service de Physique de l’État Condensé, Centre d’études de Saclay, Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France 3 Science & Finance, 109–111, rue Victor Hugo, 92535 Levallois Cedex, France 4 Department of Earth...

The life cycle of a successful technological innovation usually follows well-known path: slow inception, gradual assimilation the technology, an increase in its frequency up to certain peak, and then decline. These different phases are characterized not only by varying use but also degree standardization distinguishability. Levallois method, sophisticated Middle Paleolithic technology aimed at ...