A middle paleolithic and neolithic/chalcolithic flint extraction and reduction complex at Mt. Achbara, Eastern Galilee, Israel

Meir Finkel, Avi Gopher, Erez Ben-Yosef, Ran Barkai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This paper reports on a recently discovered Middle Paleolithic and Neolithic/Chalcolithic open-air flint extraction and reduction complex at Mt. Achbara in Israel's Eastern Galilee. Lithic assemblages recovered from a few of the hundreds of tailing piles documented in a field survey indicate a combination of Middle Paleolithic finds including Levallois cores and Neolithic/Chalcolithic finds, mainly bifacial (axe/adze) tools. At present, the extraction and reduction complex at Achbara is one of four found on the flint-bearing Eocene Timrat formation of the Galilee. Together, they provide evidence of intensive Paleolithic and Neolithic/Chalcolithic flint extraction, in quantities that most probably exceeded local consumption. After describing the new complex, we discuss its possible relation to nearby occupation sites, with a focus on the Middle Paleolithic Amud Cave.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)14-33
Number of pages20
JournalArchaeological Research in Asia
Volume16
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2018

Keywords

  • Amud Cave
  • Extraction and reduction
  • Flint
  • Middle Paleolithic
  • Neolithic/Chalcolithic

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Archaeology
  • Archaeology

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