The Middle – Upper Palaeolithic Transition at Yabroud II (Syria). A Re-evaluation of the Lithic Material from the Rust Excavation

The discussion about the Levantine transition from Middle to Upper Palaeolithic is still very intense. Different interpretations of the assemblage from Yabroud II (Syria) make this problem particularly apparent. This article presents the results of our reanalysis, which concentrated on the lithic artefacts from layers 10 to 5. Hence, the updated state of knowledge of Yabroud II allows a comparison to the sequence from Ksar Akil (Lebanon). Acting with all necessary caution that old excavations require, we see evidence for a complete transition from Tabun B-Type via Initial Upper Palaeolithic to Early Ahmarian industries at Yabroud II. Moreover, the cultural change at Yabroud II might be correlated to a climatic event.