Skills and technological innovations in the Middle Palaeolithic Levant: the Levallois approach at Givat Rabi East

Abstract

The Levallois method is a hallmark of Middle Palaeolithic technology, reflecting complex cognitive and technical behaviours. This study analyses the Levallois assemblage from Givat Rabi East (GRE), an open-air site in the Levant, to investigate technological adaptability and cultural transmission. Detailed analysis of cores, products, and core trimming elements reveals distinct reduction strategies and evidence of apprenticeship. The analysis reveals distinct patterns of core reduction and suggests a systematic approach to raw material use, in which knappers at GRE retained natural cortical surfaces. Despite the proximity to primary sources of high-quality flint, economic behaviours such as core retouching, artefact reuse, and minimal cortex removal were observed. These patterns highlight deliberate and recurrent raw material management, suggesting a technological tradition passed down from generation to generation at GRE. Furthermore, the presence of ‘shared cores’ points to the involvement of both expert and novice knappers. This research underscores the role of intergenerational skill acquisition in developing Levallois technology, contributing to a deeper understanding of cultural transmission processes in the Levantine Middle Palaeolithic.