The Hamran Sites

Abstract

The Hamran is the best represented of the Epipaleolithic taxa with occupations having been discovered in each of the four study areas (Figures 10.1, 10.2, 10.3). The sites in the Jebel Hamra area are of particular importance, however, for they reveal a stratigraphic succession that allows for sequencing the assemblages into four phases. Early Hamran assemblages, dominated by nongeometric microliths, are replaced by assemblages with trapeze/rectangles during the Middle Hamran. Lunates along with an intentional use of the microburin technique emerge in the Late Hamran and become dominant characteristics of toolkits in Final Hamran times.