This article is a preliminary report on the assemblages of Site 50. The analysis of artifacts is still going on. The detailed descriptions of the assemblages will be given in Part II of this report.

Site 50 lies on the northwestern terrace of Lake Sabkha (Sabkhet Mouh). On the edge of the terrace, there is the well named Ouinat Mohmed el Fard. This well is utilized for the growing of dates (Fig. 6. 1).

Surrounding the well are five spots in which concentrations of artifacts were found. They are named Spots A, B, C, D, and E respectively. Outside these concentrated areas, artifacts diminished remarkably. About 200 m northeast of the well, another spot in which artifacts were concentrated was found. It is named Spot F. The spots vary in diameter from 5 to 17 m. Site 50 was found in the geographical survey. The surface collecting at this site was carried out in three days. At first, the area in which artifacts were concentrated was delimited and mapped. Then, the surface-collecting of artifacts began. Surface-collecting of artifacts was carefully carried out, because they included a large number of microliths. The flint from which the artifacts were made was brown to black in color. The surfaces of the artifacts were weathered or glazed, with some variation among the different spots. There were fairly distinct differences among the assemblages from each spot.

6.1 THE ASSEMBLAGE OF SPOT A

This is the spot surrounding the well (Fig. 6. 1). For about 14 m around the well, there were blocks of soil containing many artifacts. They were dug up in reconstruc tions of the well. The artifacts included in the blocks were also dug up. They are dif ferent from those of the other spots. In this spot, core-sampling of the soil from the wall of the well was also carried out. There were many artifacts in these cores.

Most of the artifacts in this spot have glaze on their surfaces. This glaze is very different from that of the other spots and may have been caused by water activity. The surfaces of some artifacts were so glazed that their ridges were dissolved away. In ad dition, some artifacts were abraded. It is concluded geographically that the deposits around the well may be not primary but secondary deposits. The artifacts in this spot have a certain uniformity from the techno-typological point of view. Even though they are not deposited primarily, they can be regarded as a single assemblage.

Artifacts (Fig. 6. 2): There are fairly large number of microliths among the re touched tools, but ordinary sized tools are superior in number. Among the microliths, finely backed bladelets and truncated bladelets are characteristic.

Finely backed bladelets are finely backed pieces on one side of bladelets (Fig. 6. 2. 1-11). The typical specimen has a width of 4-6 mm and is made on a slender type of bladelets.

Truncated bladelets are made on the bladelets actually parallel sided and about 10 mm in width (Fig. 6. 2. 12-17). They have perpendicular and straight truncations. The backing and truncation are fine. Although few in number, El Wad points are found (Fig. 6. 2. 19-20). They are made on bladelets. A very interesting microlithic point is seen in Fig. 6. 2. 18. Like an El Wad point, this specimen has marginal retouches on both sides and a pointed end is formed at the distal end. Like a Kebarah point, it has an oblique truncation at the proximal end. Typologically, this specimen is positioned between the El Wad point and the Kebarah point.

Dihedral gravers, polyhedral gravers, beaked gravers, gravers on broken end and gravers on truncation are found (Fig. 6. 2. 21-22). The dihedral type is most abundant. Gravers are made on large flakes with cortex, flint slabs, and blades. Those on flint slabs and large flakes are roughly made and resemble core-scrapers. Those on core-rejuvenated flakes are also seen.

Among end-scrapers, those on blades are the most abundant (Fig. 6. 2. 23-26). In this category there are also some roughly made scrapers on large flakes with cortex. They have thick edges. Semi-circular scrapers made on short flakes are seen (Fig. 6. 2. 27).

Core-scrapers are the most characteristic of retouched tools (Fig. 6. 2. 28-30). They are modified from prismatic cores for blades and bladelets. Most of them are flaked uni-directionally and have single-facetted platforms. The bladelets from these cores are twisted and have curved main flaking surfaces. Another type of core which is observed is the tabular type, which is well-regulated (Fig. 6. 2. 31-32). The bladelets from this type of core are truely parallel sided and have flat main flaking surfaces.

6. 2 THE ASSEMBLAGE OF SPOT B

This is the round spot in the plan with a diameter of 5 m. It is about 20 m north of the well (Fig. 6. 1). The number of artifacts is small. The artifacts of this spot are fairly weathered and are patinated white on the surface. Their weathering are not so hard as those from Spots C, D and E.

Artifacts: The retouched tools of this spot have a fairly microlithic tendency.

Among microliths, backed bladelets are seen, but characteristic are trapeze-rectangles. Trapeze-rectangles are made on bladelets with widths of about 10 mm and are formed by backing and truncation. All the backed bladelets are broken specimens. The fragments of trapeze-rectangles may be included among them.

In ordinary sized tools, gravers, end-scrapers, and core-scrapers are found. Dihedral gravers, a beaked graver, gravers on broken end, and gravers on truncation are seen. Most of gravers are made on blades.

End-scrapers are made on flakes and blades. Those on flakes are atypical. Retouched blades are seen, too.

Core-scrapers are also found. They are modifications from the prismatic type of cores.

6. 3 THE ASSEMBLAGE OF SPOT C

This is the oval spot in the plan with a diameter of 9×14 m. It lies about 50m northeast of the well (Fig. 6. 1). The artifacts of this spot are characteristic of microliths. They are heavily weathered and are patinated white on the surface.

Artifacts (Fig. 6.3): Trapeze-rectangles are abundant (Fig. 6.3.1-6). They are definitely different from the truncated bladelets from Spot A, both technologically and typologically. Backed bladelets are also abundant (Fig. 6. 3. 8-14). The fragments of trapeze-rectangles may be included among them.

End-scrapers on blades are abundant (Fig. 6. 3. 15, 21-25). Double edged end scrapers are seen. End-scrapers on core-rejuvenated flakes are seen, too. Most of the gravers are made on blades. The dihedral type is representative and gravers on broken end and gravers on lateral preparation are also observed (Fig. 6. 3. 16-18). Small numbers of composite tools, graver-end-scrapers, are found (Fig. 6. 3. 19-20). A small number of borers, retouched pieces, and notched pieces are seen (Fig. 6. 3. 27).

A fairly large number of cores is found. They are the prismatic type of core. Most of them are modified into core-scrapers (Fig. 6. 3. 28).

6. 4 THE ASSEMBLAGE OF SPOT D

This is the oval spot in the plan with a diameter of 9×17 m. It lies about 60 m north of the well and about 40 m northeast of Spot C (Fig. 6. 1). The weathering of the artifacts in this spot is the same as of those of Spots C and E.

Artifacts: A small number of microliths was collected. Core-scrapers are dominant. Among the microliths, various types of truncated and backed bladelets are seen. They are made on narrow bladelets. Except for one specimen, they are definitely different from the trapeze-rectangles from Spots B, C and F. Backed bladelets are made on narrow bladelets with widths of less than 7 mm. Truncated bladelets are also made on bladelets with widths of about 5 mm. They are obliquely truncated.

The dihedral type of gravers on large flakes or core-rejuvenated flakes are dominant and characteristic. They are roughly made. Transversal gravers on lateral preparations are made on blades and are delicately retouched.

End-scrapers are made on blades and flakes. Those on blades are typical A composite tool, graver-end-scraper, is seen. Although not typical, El Wad points are seen.

Core-scrapers are the most characteristic and dominant tools. Most of them are prismatic and uni-directionally flaked cores and are modified into core-scrapers. They are made on large flakes or flint pebbles. The narrow type resembles roughly-made dihedral gravers.

6. 5 THE ASSEMBLAGE OF SPOT E

This is the oval spot in the plan with a diameter of 7×13 m. It lies about 70m north of the well and 15 m east of Spot D (Fig. 6. 1). The weathering of the artifacts is the same as that of the artifacts of Spots C and D. The general aspects of the assemblage of this spot are identical with those of Spot D. The total number of tools is small.

Artifacts: Microliths are scarce and the dominant tools are core-scrapers. Semi-abruptly or finely retouched bladelets and truncated bladelets are seen. They are made on narrow bladelets. An inversely and marginally retouched microlithic point is observed.

Dihedral gravers, gravers on broken end, and gravers on lateral preparation are found. The dihedral type is dominant. Among end-scrapers, those on blades are common. A borer and retouched pieces are also seen.

Core-scrapers are the most characteristic and dominant tools, as at Spot D. They are made on large flakes or flint pebbles.

6. 6 THE ASSEMBLAGE OF SPOT F

The artifacts were concentrated in a small restricted area. At this spot, mapping and careful collection were not carried out. It lies about 200 m east of the well and on the edge of the terrace. The weathering of the artifacts is the same as that of the artifacts of Spot B. Half of the tools are microlithic.

Artifacts: Among microliths, trapeze-rectangles are characteristic. All of them are typical trapeze-rectangles. Backed bladelets are made on fairly broad bladelets.

Gravers are on broken end and on lateral preparation types. End-scrapers on blades are common. Otherwise, prismatic and tabular types of cores are seen.

6.7 CLASSIFICATION

The assemblages of Spots B, C and F are characteristic with a high proportion of microliths. Among microliths, trapeze-rectangles are abundant. The assemblages of Spots B, C and F are assigned to Geometric Kebaran A of Bar-Yosef (Bar-Yosef, 1970, 1975, 1976). According to Bar-Yosef (1976, pp. 95-97), the later stage of Geometric Kebaran A has a wider type of trapeze-rectangle with an abrupt retouch. All of the trapeze-rectangles from Spots B, C and F have an abrupt retouch and are 6-10 mm in width. Therefore, the assemblages of Spots B, C and F can be assigned to the later stage of Geometric Kebaran A. The assemblages of Stratigraphical Units A and B of Horizon II of Douara Cave are also assigned to the later stage of Geometric Kebaran A, Slight differences are observed between these assemblages.

The assemblages of Spots A, D and E are characterized by an abundance of core-scrapers. The dominance of core-scrapers is the cultural index of stage V of the Upper Paleolithic in the Levant (Neuville, 1934, 1951), Atlitian (Garrod and Bate, 1937, p. 41), or Levantine Aurignacian Phase C (Copeland, 1975, p. 343). Various types of microliths are observed in the sites dated to stage V of the Upper Paleolithic in the Levant, such as layer 2 of Rock-shelter II in Jabrud (Rust, 1950, pp. 89-93), layer 9 or E of El Khiam (Echegaray, 1964, pp. 97-107; Perrot, 1951, pp. 139-147), and layer C of El Wad (Garrod and Bate, 1937, pp. 41-44). Garrod excluded microliths from the assemblage of layer C of El Wad as an intrusion from the overlying layer B (Garrod and Bate, 1937, p. 43). As Perrot pointed out (1951, p. 147), these microliths might not be intrusive specimens.

Among the tools of Spot A, actually perpendicular truncated bladelets are characteristic. In layer 8 of Rock-shelter III in Jabrud, Skiftian of Rust (1950, pp. 103-107), perpendicularly truncated bladelets were recognized. In this layer of Jabrud, El Wad points, core-scrapers and microliths were found. The assemblage of Spot A resembles the assemblage of layer 8 of Rock-shelter III in Jabrud, The microlithic point from Spot A has the character of both types of the El Wad point and the Kebarah point and can be regarded as a shifting type from the El Wad point to the Kebarah point. The El Wad point is the cultural index of stage III of the Upper Paleolithic in the Levant, and it is also observed in the assemblages of stage V. The Kebarah point is found in the assemblages of Non-Geometric Kebaran (stage VI). As Hours stated (Hours, Copeland et Aurenche, 1973, p. 273), stage V of the Upper Paleolithic in the Levant or Atlitian is not yet well studied and the precise chronological position of Skiftian is not certain. Apart from whether Skiftian belongs to stage V or not, the stratigraphical relationships of Skiftian have been certified at Rock-shelter III in Jabrud, between Jüngaurignacien (stage V?) and Nebekian (Kebaran or stage VI). Thus, the assemblage of Spot A can be assigned to Skiftian of Rust or shifting stage between stages V and VI. Assemblages like Skiftian have not yet been found at other sites. It is probable that Skiftian is a merely regional fades around the Syrian Desert.

The assemblages of Spots D and E can be dated to stage V of the Upper Paleolithic in the Levant, because of the dominance of core-scrapers and dihedral gravers.

The analysis of the assemblages is still going on and this article is merely a brief preliminary report, so the conclusions are tentative.

LITERATURE CITED

Bar-Yosef, O. (1970)

Prehistoric Sites near Ashdad, Israel. Palestine Exploration Quarterly, 1970 Jan.-June: 52-63.

Bar-Yosef, O. (1975)

The Epipaleolithic in Palestine and Sinai. In: Wendorf and Marks 1975: 363-378.

Bar-Yosef, O. (1976)

A Note on the Geometric Kebaran A. Pre-conference Papers for IXth International Congress of Fre- and Proto-historic Science, Nice, Colloque III: 78-105.

Copeland, L. (1975)

The Middle and Upper Paleolithic of Lebanon and Syria in the light of recent Research. In: Wendorf and Marks 1975: 317-350.

Echegaray, J. G. (1964)

Excavacions en la terraza de El Khiam, Jordania. I. Studio del yaci mento y los nievels Paleolitico. Madrid.

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The Stone Age of Mt. Carmel. I. Oxford.

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Les industries paléolithiques du Proche Orient, Essai de corr é 1ation (1). L'Anthropologie, Tome 77: 229-280.

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Perrot, J. (1951)

La terrasse d'El-Khiam. dans Neuville 1951: 134-178.

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Die Höhlefunde von Jabrud (Syrien). Neumüster.

Wendorf, F. and Marks, A. E. (eds.) (1975)

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