From John Shea, on a rather ancient Levantine "revolution".

[Jacques Cinq-Mars]

Here is what appears to be the abstract of a "synthetic" paper (à la JWP) which I (and, perhaps, a few others) have yet to read.

Jacques Cinq-Mars

Shea, John J. 2003. The Middle Paleolithic of the East Mediterranean Levant. Journal of World Prehistory. 17 (4): 313-394.

Abstract:

This paper reviews recent developments in geochronology, archaeology, and behavioral interpretations of the Middle Paleolithic Period (ca. 47–250 Kyr) in the East Mediterranean Levant. Neandertals and early modern humans both occupied the Levant during this period. Both these hominids are associated with the Levantine Mousterian stone tool industry and similar sets of faunal remains. The Levant has long been seen as preserving evidence for the origin of modern humans out of Neandertal ancestors. Recent radiometric dates for Levantine Middle Paleolithic contexts challenge this hypothesis. Instead, they suggest the evolutionary relationships between these hominids were far more complicated. Proposed models for Neandertal and early modern human coevolutionary relationships are examined. Intense competition between Neandertals and early modern humans for a narrow human “niche” may be the context out of which the Upper Paleolithic behavioral “revolution” arose.

Keywords:

Levant, Southwest Asia, Middle Paleolithic, Mousterian, Neandertals, early modern humans

All rights reserved - Copyright © 2003 Plenum Publishing Corporation

[Daryl Habel]

Here is what appears to be the abstract of a "synthetic" paper (à la JWP) which I (and, perhaps, a few others) have yet to read.

Jacques Cinq-Mars

Thanks Jacques,

This looked so intriguing and (at 82 pages) comprehensive, I just could not resist the price ($25) of ordering a pdf copy.  Look in your sympatico e-mail box and you'll find a nice surprise!! I'll probably have something to add later, after reading the whole thing through a few times.

Dar