Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026

Technique for Studying Arthropod and Microbial Communities within Tree Tissues
Published on: November 16, 2014
Systematic blade production at late Lower Paleolithic (400-200 kyr) Qesem Cave, Israel
Ron Shimelmitz1, Ran Barkai, Avi Gopher
1Institute of Archaeology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. ronishim@gmail.com
Abstract:
Qesem Cave is assigned to the Acheulo-Yabrudian cultural complex of the late Lower Paleolithic period. The 7.5 m deep stratigraphic sequence is dated to 400-200 ka (thousands of years ago). It is mostly attributed to the Amudian blade-dominated industry, one of the earliest blade production technologies in the world. In this paper, we present the results of a detailed study of five Amudian assemblages from Qesem Cave and suggest two trajectories for the production of blades at the site. We argue that the reduction sequences of blades at Qesem Cave represent an innovative and straightforward technology aimed at the systemic and serial production of predetermined blanks. We suggest that this predetermined blank technology shows planning and intensity that is not significantly different from Middle Paleolithic Mousterian technological systems. Furthermore, this well-organized serial manufacture of cutting implements mainly for butchering might indicates that a significant change in human behavior had taken place by the late Lower Paleolithic period.
Related Concept Videos
The Fossil Record
Quarrying of Stone
One common method involves using a diamond belt saw to cut large blocks from the quarry face. These blocks can be about 50 feet long and 12 feet high. After the initial vertical cut, drilling is performed at the base of the block.
Brick Cutting Techniques
Cut bricks are categorized by size. Bricks cut to half their original length are called half-bats, while those cut to three-fourths their length are known as three-fourth bats.
Special types of cut...
Surface Appendages of Archaea

