Blade Production in the Early Phase of the Middle Paleolithic at Bapaume-Les Osiers (Pas-De-Calais, France): Comments on the Distinction between the Early and Late Phases of the Middle Paleolithic

Abstract

Emerging already in OIS 8, the Middle Paleolithic covers a period of around 300 kyr, divided into two distinct chronological phases: the Early Middle Paleolithic from OIS 8 to 6, and the Late Middle Paleolithic, from OIS 5 to 3. It would appear that a certain technological behavior differentiates these chronological phases: non-Levallois blade production. Such reduction has been shown to be more or less clearly individualized during the late phase of the Middle Paleolithic in northern Europe. However, laminar evidence also appears sporadically starting at the end of the Middle Pleistocene, between OIS 8 and 6. What characterizes such blade production? Can it be distinguished from that seen in the late phase of the Middle Paleolithic? Do we see here the first fruits of technological activity that would be subsequently developed? In order to contribute to this discussion, we present results of analysis of the lithic industry from Bapaume-les Osiers, in Pas-de-Calais (France), which has yielded an assemblage which includes blade production, positioned stratigraphically between OIS 7a and 6, and thus in the early phase of the Middle Paleolithic.