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This manuscript is the 4th Volume of the Gesher Benot Ya'aqov (GBY) monograph sub-series. The goal of the book is to publish the lithic assemblages originating in the excavations of the Acheulian site at Gesher Benot Ya'aqov (GBY), Israel. The authors provide the readers with detailed descriptions of the lithic assemblages, illustrations (maps, photographs, drawings) and complete inventory of the artifacts that were excavated during the seven field seasons of 1989-1997 (two in 1997) under the directorship of Prof. Naama Goren-Inbar. This manuscript includes the classification of Large Cutting Tools (bifaces: handaxes and cleavers), Cores and Core Tools, and Flake Tools made of three different raw materials (flint, basalt and limestone).
This major classification system enables, in addition to the characterization of the assemblages, intra and inter assemblage analyses and comparisons. It forms the foundation and means with which the GBY cultural sequence can be investigated and compared with other Levantine, African and Asian Acheulian entities. From a methodological perspective the authors apply a detailed attribute analysis to all lithic items, a method that integrates morpho-technoogical and stylistic observations culminating in better understanding of the Acheulian realm as documented by the analysis. This analysis is aimed to refine and improve the understanding beyond that of types and their technology and to allow describing the reduction sequence (chaîne opératoire) of some of the major components of the lithic asemblages. The unique record of diverse data from GBY provides insight into hominin behavior (through time) along the margins of the paleo-Lake Hula, and sheds light on processes that led to the colonization of other parts of Eurasia. The book will be of interest to academics and students in all disciplines of Quaternary studies, and to archaeologists using GIS for intra-site spatial analysis.
List of contents
1.-Introduction.- 2-Geology, stratigraphy & sedimentology of the Gesher Benot Ya'aqov formation at the study area.- 3-Chronology and dating.- 4-Methodology.- 5-The archaeological horizons and their lithic assemblages.- 6-Thematic description, analyses and discussion of all major typo-technological classes.- 7-Discussion: the location of the GBY site within the old world cultural spheres, conclusions.
About the author
Dr. Naama Goren-Inbar is a Professor in the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her research interests include old world prehistory, the evolution of human behavior, site formation processes, the Acheulian technocomplex, and human dispersals and colonizations.
Dr. Gonen Sharon is an Associate Professor in archaeology at Tel Hai College, Israel. He earned his M.A. in Prehistoric Archaeology and Ph.D. in Prehistory at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2000 and 2007 respectively. His research interests include prehistory, lithic technology and human evolution.
Dr. Nira Alperson-Afil works in the Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology at Bar-Ilan University.
Gadi Herzlinger is a graduate student in the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Summary
This manuscript is the 4th Volume of the Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov (GBY) monograph sub-series. The goal of the book is to publish the lithic assemblages originating in the excavations of the Acheulian site at Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov (GBY), Israel. The authors provide the readers with detailed descriptions of the lithic assemblages, illustrations (maps, photographs, drawings) and complete inventory of the artifacts that were excavated during the seven field seasons of 1989-1997 (two in 1997) under the directorship of Prof. Naama Goren-Inbar. This manuscript includes the classification of Large Cutting Tools (bifaces: handaxes and cleavers), Cores and Core Tools, and Flake Tools made of three different raw materials (flint, basalt and limestone).
This major classification system enables, in addition to the characterization of the assemblages, intra and inter assemblage analyses and comparisons. It forms the foundation and means with which the GBY cultural sequence can be investigated and compared with other Levantine, African and Asian Acheulian entities. From a methodological perspective the authors apply a detailed attribute analysis to all lithic items, a method that integrates morpho-technoogical and stylistic observations culminating in better understanding of the Acheulian realm as documented by the analysis. This analysis is aimed to refine and improve the understanding beyond that of types and their technology and to allow describing the reduction sequence (chaîne opératoire) of some of the major components of the lithic asemblages. The unique record of diverse data from GBY provides insight into hominin behavior (through time) along the margins of the paleo-Lake Hula, and sheds light on processes that led to the colonization of other parts of Eurasia. The book will be of interest to academics and students in all disciplines of Quaternary studies, and to archaeologists using GIS for intra-site spatial analysis.
Additional text
“On balance, Goren-Inbar et al.’s efforts have produced an achievement. And while this volume, along with the previous three, certainly contributes to our understanding of human evolution and Paleolithic archaeology, what most excites this reviewer has yet to be realized. By producing and publishing so much raw data, other researchers can explore GBY for themselves and more fully integrate it into the Lower Paleolithic world. In this sense, Goren-Inbar’s work on GBY is not only an achievement, but a lasting one.”-Metin I. Eren – PaleoAnthropology
Report
"On balance, Goren-Inbar et al.'s efforts have produced an achievement. And while this volume, along with the previous three, certainly contributes to our understanding of human evolution and Paleolithic archaeology, what most excites this reviewer has yet to be realized. By producing and publishing so much raw data, other researchers can explore GBY for themselves and more fully integrate it into the Lower Paleolithic world. In this sense, Goren-Inbar's work on GBY is not only an achievement, but a lasting one."-Metin I. Eren - PaleoAnthropology
