The Identity and Timing of the Aterian in Morocco

Abstract

Until recently, any discussions of the Aterian of Morocco were severely limited by the paucity of secure dating evidence. New stratigraphic studies in northern, eastern, and, most recently, Atlantic Morocco have begun to address this major gap in our knowledge. It is clear that the very late record for the Middle Paleolithic in Morocco of 40–20 ka can certainly now be extended as far back as more than 110 ka. Another area for discussion concerns the nature and identity of the Aterian technology through time, which is urgently in need of review and redefinition. Rather than concentrating on the very narrow issue of pedunculate tools, we feel that more consideration should be given to a wider set of variables.