Epipaleolithic

Azilian points, microliths from epipaleolithic northern Spain and southern France.

"Epipaleolithic" is a term used for the "final Upper Palaeolithic industries occurring at the end of the final glaciation which appear to merge technologically into the Mesolithic".^[1] The period is generally dated from 20,000 BP to about 10,500 BP, having emerged from the Palaeolithic era. ^[2] The term is sometimes used as a synonym of "Mesolithic". When a distinction is made, "Epipaleolithic" stresses the continuity with the Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic as we understand it today, whilst "Protoneolithic" stresses a subsequent transition to the Neolithic. ^[3] Alfonso Moure says in this respect:

In the language of Prehistorical Archaeology, the most extended trend is to use the term "Epipaleolithic" for the industrial complexes of the post-glacial hunter-gatherer groups. Inversely, those that are in transitional ways towards artificial production of food are inscribed in the "Mesolithic".^[4]

Epipalaeolithic hunter-gatherers made relatively advanced tools from small flint or obsidian blades, known as microliths that were hafted in wooden implements. They were generally nomadic.

Some authors reserve the term "Mesolithic" for the cultures of Europe, where the extinction of the Megafauna had a great impact on the Paleolithic populations at the end of the Ice Age, from about 8000 BCE until the advent of the Neolithic (Sauveterrian, Tardenoisian, Maglemosian, etc.).

The Epipaleolithic period and animal food sources

The Epipaleolithic is best understood when discussing the southern Levant, as the period is well documented due to good preservation at the site. The most prevalent animal food sources during this period were:²

• Gazelle
• Wild equids
• Wild boar
• Deer
• Wild cattle
• Ibex
• Wild goat
• Wild sheep

These were most likely the main food sources through the PPNA. Of these animals, it is likely that only the equids were migrational.²

References