100th century BCE
Cyrenaica, especially Haua Fteah Cave
The Dabban Industry was an Upper Palaeolithic blade industry first identified at Haua Fteah Cave in Cyrenaica around 38,000 BC. It stratigraphically overlies Levallois-Mousterian deposits and continued for roughly 25,000 years, although its known distribution remained limited. The complex provides evidence for an early Upper Palaeolithic technological tradition in North Africa.
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The Story
At Haua Fteah Cave in Cyrenaica, an Upper Palaeolithic blade industry known as the Dabban appeared around 38,000 BC. Its deposits lie stratigraphically above Levallois-Mousterian levels, marking a major technological succession at the site. The industry is presented as one of the clearest early Upper Palaeolithic manifestations in North Africa.
The Dabban continued for approximately 25,000 years, but its distribution was remarkably restricted in the evidence available. It was known from only one other Cyrenaican site, a limited geographical spread that challenged assumptions that Upper Palaeolithic technology should have rapidly expanded wherever modern humans were present. The pattern instead points to a complex and uneven history of technological adoption.
The industry’s relationship with other early blade traditions remains uncertain. Blade assemblages from the Nile Valley, including material from Dishna, were not closely comparable, yet both Cyrenaican and Nile traditions were considered possible outcomes of movement along the Mediterranean littoral and up the Nile by small groups originating in south-west Asia.
100th century BCE
Cyrenaica, especially Haua Fteah Cave
The Dabban Industry was an Upper Palaeolithic blade industry first identified at Haua Fteah Cave in Cyrenaica around 38,000 BC. It stratigraphically overlies Levallois-Mousterian deposits and continued for roughly 25,000 years, although its known distribution remained limited. The complex provides evidence for an early Upper Palaeolithic technological tradition in North Africa.
Continue exploring
The Story
At Haua Fteah Cave in Cyrenaica, an Upper Palaeolithic blade industry known as the Dabban appeared around 38,000 BC. Its deposits lie stratigraphically above Levallois-Mousterian levels, marking a major technological succession at the site. The industry is presented as one of the clearest early Upper Palaeolithic manifestations in North Africa.
The Dabban continued for approximately 25,000 years, but its distribution was remarkably restricted in the evidence available. It was known from only one other Cyrenaican site, a limited geographical spread that challenged assumptions that Upper Palaeolithic technology should have rapidly expanded wherever modern humans were present. The pattern instead points to a complex and uneven history of technological adoption.
The industry’s relationship with other early blade traditions remains uncertain. Blade assemblages from the Nile Valley, including material from Dishna, were not closely comparable, yet both Cyrenaican and Nile traditions were considered possible outcomes of movement along the Mediterranean littoral and up the Nile by small groups originating in south-west Asia.