Cultural Development in the Levantine Middle and Initial Upper Paleolithic: Modern Interpretation Models
Abstract
Archaeological complexes of Levant play an important role in the scientific debate about the appearance of Upper Paleolithic cultures in Eurasia. Investigations of the recent 15–20 years allow forming two main patterns to interpret the cultural events from the beginning of the Middle Paleolithic to Initial stage of the Upper Paleolithic. The pattern of gradual evolution which correlates with the multiregional theory of the Homo type development is well covered in Russian scientific literature. The substitution model based on the principles of the monotcentral theory is less amply characterized. This article aims to trace the course of the debate between supporters of the designated points of view on the following critical issues: 1) the interpretation of the Levantine Middle Paleolithic remains of hominin; 2) the attribution of the stone industry since the turn of MIS 6-5e (130– 120 kyr BP) before the beginning of MIS 3 (45 kyr BP.); 3) determination of the genesis of the initial Upper Paleolithic industries. The focus is made on the model insufficiently covered in the domestic scientific literature that assumes the existence of several episodes of the change of the ancient population of Levant.
DOI 10.14258/izvasu(2015)3.2-28
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