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Linstaedter, Joerg, Eiwanger, Josef, Mikdad, Abdessalam and Weniger, Gerd-Christian (2012). Human occupation of Northwest Africa: A review of Middle Palaeolithic to Epipalaeolithic sites in Morocco. Quat. Int., 274. S. 158 - 175. OXFORD: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. ISSN 1873-4553

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Abstract

This paper provides a summary of all available numerical ages from contexts of the Moroccan Middle Palaeolithic to Epipalaeolithic and reviews some of the most important sites. Particular attention is paid to the so-called Aterian, albeit those so-labeled assemblages fail to show any geographical and chronological pattern. For this reason, this phenomenon should not be considered a distinct culture or techno-complex and is referred to hereinafter as Middle Palaeolithic of Aterian type. Whereas anatomical modern humans (AMH) are present in Northwest Africa from about 160 ka onwards, according to current research some Middle Palaeolithic inventories are more than 200 ka. This confirms that, for this period it is impossible to link human forms with artifact material. Perforated shell beads with traces of ochre documented from 80 ka onwards certainly suggest changes in human behavior. The transition from Middle to Upper Palaeolithic, here termed Early Upper Palaeolithic at between 30 and 20 ka remains the most enigmatic era. However, the still scarce data from this period requires careful and fundamental revision in the frame of any future research. By integrating environmental data in reconstruction of population dynamics, clear correlations become obvious. High resolution data are lacking before 20 ka, and at some sites this period is characterized by the occurrence of sterile layers between Middle Palaeolithic deposits, possibly indicative of shifts in human population. After Heinrich Event 1, there is an enormous increase of data due to the prominent Late Iberomaurusian deposits that contrast strongly from the foregoing accumulations in terms of sedimentological features, fauna and artifact composition. The Younger Dryas shows a remarkable decline of data marking the end of the Palaeolithic. Environmental improvements in the Holocene are associated with an extensive Epipalaeolithic occupation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Linstaedter, Joerg UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Eiwanger, Josef UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Mikdad, Abdessalam UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Weniger, Gerd-Christian UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-481648
DOI:	10.1016/j.quaint.2012.02.017
Journal or Publication Title:	Quat. Int.
Volume:	274
Page Range:	S. 158 - 175
Date:	2012
Publisher:	PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Place of Publication:	OXFORD
ISSN:	1873-4553
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language ES-SOLTANE 2; CLIMATIC VARIABILITY; ATLANTIC MOROCCO; ATERIAN LEVELS; HUMAN REMAINS; CAVE; MARINE; IBERIA; ORIGIN; AGE Multiple languages Geography, Physical; Geosciences, Multidisciplinary Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/48164