80th century BCE – 50th century BCE
Cyrenaica, northeastern Libya
The Libyco-Capsian was a late Epi-Palaeolithic industry of Cyrenaica that appeared around 8,000 BC after the Eastern Oranian. It shared some features with the Typical Capsian of the Maghrib while also displaying a distinctive assemblage including grinding stones, bone tools, polished bone objects, decorated ostrich eggshell, shell beads, and a possible bird engraving. It preceded the first demonstrable signs of food production in Cyrenaica around 5,000 BC.
Continue exploring
The Story
Around 8,000 BC, a sharp technological change in Cyrenaica brought the Libyco-Capsian, replacing the Eastern Oranian. Although it was not identical to the contemporary Typical Capsian of the Maghrib, it shared several features with that western tradition. These included scraper and burin types, as well as large notched and denticulated flakes and blades.
The Libyco-Capsian assemblage also contained elements that distinguish it from the preceding Eastern Oranian. Grinding stones became more common, and bone tools and polished bone artifacts appeared alongside decorated ostrich eggshell, shell beads, and possibly a bird engraving on a pebble. The industry is presented as part of a wider group of North African traditions between the close of the Pleistocene and the development of recognizable food-producing societies.
The main hunted animals were Barbary sheep and large bovids, while large quantities of snails and perhaps ostrich eggs were consumed. The role of plant foods is unclear. The industry's origins remain unresolved: proposed possibilities include the Maghrib, southwestern Asia, and the Nile Valley, while the contrast with the Eastern Oranian may indicate a hiatus rather than local development.
80th century BCE – 50th century BCE
Cyrenaica, northeastern Libya
The Libyco-Capsian was a late Epi-Palaeolithic industry of Cyrenaica that appeared around 8,000 BC after the Eastern Oranian. It shared some features with the Typical Capsian of the Maghrib while also displaying a distinctive assemblage including grinding stones, bone tools, polished bone objects, decorated ostrich eggshell, shell beads, and a possible bird engraving. It preceded the first demonstrable signs of food production in Cyrenaica around 5,000 BC.
Continue exploring
The Story
Around 8,000 BC, a sharp technological change in Cyrenaica brought the Libyco-Capsian, replacing the Eastern Oranian. Although it was not identical to the contemporary Typical Capsian of the Maghrib, it shared several features with that western tradition. These included scraper and burin types, as well as large notched and denticulated flakes and blades.
The Libyco-Capsian assemblage also contained elements that distinguish it from the preceding Eastern Oranian. Grinding stones became more common, and bone tools and polished bone artifacts appeared alongside decorated ostrich eggshell, shell beads, and possibly a bird engraving on a pebble. The industry is presented as part of a wider group of North African traditions between the close of the Pleistocene and the development of recognizable food-producing societies.
The main hunted animals were Barbary sheep and large bovids, while large quantities of snails and perhaps ostrich eggs were consumed. The role of plant foods is unclear. The industry's origins remain unresolved: proposed possibilities include the Maghrib, southwestern Asia, and the Nile Valley, while the contrast with the Eastern Oranian may indicate a hiatus rather than local development.
Continue the journey
Other paths related to this story.