Antelian

Antelian

Geographical range	Levant
Period	Upper Paleolithic
Dates	c. 32,000 – c. 12,000 BP
Preceded by	Emiran, Ahmarian
Followed by	Kebaran

Antelian

Map showing the approximate location of the Antelian (clickable map)

The Antelian culture is an Upper Paleolithic phase of the Levant (Syria, Lebanon, Palestine) that evolved from the Emiran culture. The most important innovation in this period is the incorporation of some typical elements of Aurignacian, like some types of burins and narrow blade points that resemble the European type of Font-Yves.

Phases

• Upper Paleolithic III (lower Antelian).
• Upper Paleolithic IV (upper Antelian): proliferation of burin types and decrease in the number of Font-Yves points. First and almost only use of bone for tools in the region, very rare in any case.
• Upper Paleolithic V (Athlitian): specialization of Antelian with a comeback of the Chatelperronian knives of the Emiran.

End of Antelian/Atlitian

The appearance of the Kebarian culture, of microlithic type implies a significant rupture in the cultural continuity of Levantine Upper Paleolithic.

References

• M. H. Alimen and M. J. Steve, Historia Universal siglo XXI. Prehistoria. Siglo XXI Editores, 1970 (reviewed and corrected in 1994) (original German edition, 1966, titled Vorgeschichte). ISBN 84-323-0034-9