Stone Tools in the Paleolithic and Neolithic Near East: A Guide surveys the lithic record for the East Mediterranean Levant (Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Jordan, and adjacent territories) from the earliest times to 6,500 years ago. It is intended both as an introduction to this lithic evidence for students and as a resource for researchers working with Paleolithic and Neolithic stone tool evidence. Written by a lithic analyst and professional flintknapper, this book systematically examines variation in technology, typology and industries for the Lower, Middle and Upper Paleolithic; the Epipaleolithic; and Neolithic periods in the Near East. It is extensively illustrated with drawings of stone tools. In addition to surveying the lithic evidence, the book also considers ways in which archaeological treatment of this evidence could be changed to make it more relevant to major issues in human origins research. A final chapter shows how change in stone tool designs points to increasing human dependence on stone tools across the long sweep of Stone Age prehistory.
• Extensively illustrated with line drawings of stone tools from archaeological sites and schematic diagrams illustrating important aspects of stone tool technology • Covers the evidence from all the major periods of Stone Age prehistory in the Levant • Includes insights from the author's experience making and using stone tools
Contents
1. Introduction; 2. Lithics basics; 3. The Lower Paleolithic; 4. The Middle Paleolithic; 5. The Upper Paleolithic; 6. The Epipaleolithic; 7. The Neolithic; 8. Conclusion.
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