The Lithic Assemblages of Qafzeh Cave
Hovers, E (2009) The Lithic Assemblages of Qafzeh Cave. Human Evolution Series, RL Ciochon & BA Wood, Eds. Oxford University Press, New York. 320 pp. ISBN 978-0-19-532277-4
Description:
The archaeological remains from Qafzeh cave have been studied extensively since they were first recovered from the site in the early part of the 20th century. Indeed, Qafzeh plays a central role in our understanding of the emergence of anatomically and culturally modern humans. In this volume, the author contributes substantially to this understanding with what is essentially a revision and update of her PhD thesis focusing on Middle Paleolithic lithic variability at Qafzeh. The volume is presented in ten chapters. In the first, the author provides an overview of the Levantine Middle Paleolithic and especially lithic variability. The second chapter focuses on the concepts and premises underlying the study of the Qafzeh lithic sample, while the third describes the region and site. Following this, there are three detailed chapters focusing on lithic production and variability of (1) cores, (2) debitage, and (3) retouched artefacts. Chapter seven looks closely at the organization of lithic technology at the site, including insight into foraging behaviours, inter-assemblage variability, and the question of functional use (adaptation) versus cultural tradition. The final three chapters place the work within the broader context of the Middle Paleolithic in the Levant, with a focus on subsistence and mobility patterns, population dynamics, and behavioural modernity, respectively. The volume concludes with a series of useful reference appendices, including a history of the excavations in the Middle Paleolithic of the Levant, radiometric dates of these Mousterian sites, and detailed counts of debitage and tools at Qafzeh. This is an important reference work for anyone interested in the Levantine Middle Paleolithic and questions of anatomical and behavioural modernity.
