Nadaouiyeh Aïn Askar, an example of Upper Acheulean variability in the Levant

The site of Nadaouiyeh Ain Askar is situated in The El Kowm oasis, located in the centre of modern Syria, presents an Acheulian sequence covering approximately the span between 550 ka and 325 ka ago. At least 32 levels of Acheulian occupations can be discerned that can be integrated into seven distinct cultural phases of hand axe traditions. Surprisingly, the oldest occupations discovered in situ present the most refined hand axes. The basic evolution goes from highly refined and standardized to less elaborate and more schematic and irregularly manufactured bifaces but not in straight lines. A common feature of all Acheulian groups from Nadaouiyeh Ain Askar is the strong predominance of the faconnage concept for tool fabrication combined with a nearly complete absence of retouched flakes. The different archaeological units present a strong originality, each with diagnostic features differentiate from the others, demonstrating a strong cultural versatility. Such change can be far-reaching and swift. The variability encountered in Nadaouiyeh Ain Askar stands for an acute dynamic of technological and particular stylistic changes within the Acheulian, contrarily to what usually is expected regarding this period.