Technological variability of the middle-to-upper paleolithic transition: Examples from the Balkans and neighbouring regions

Abstract

This chapter attempts to track the technological variability, innovations, and changes in lithic technologies that occurred in several regions of the Balkans and its neighbouring areas during the late Middle and Early Upper Paleolithic (EUP). A diversity of knapping methods and techniques has been recorded by analysing debitage, reduction sequences, and refitting data of selected key assemblages. The Middle Paleolithic (MP) technological structure appears to include a series of independent methods of blank production: Levallois, non-Levallois, and the volumetric laminar production. Similarly, the EUP technological structure also follows several models: (a) exclusive/dominant Upper Paleolithic (UP) laminar strategies; (b) a combination of UP strategies with different MP technologies; and (c) a fusion in one reduction sequence of volumetric blade and “flat” Levallois point concepts. Originally identified by refitting, the latter innovative model is central to understanding the marked technological transition and the emergence of the UP technological package.