Mousterian

The Mousterian (or Mode III) is a type of stone tool used by early hominids during the Middle Paleolithic period of the Stone Age. This tool culture lasted from around 160,000 BC to 40,000 BC.Shaw, Ian; Jameson, Robert, eds. (1999). A Dictionary of Archaeology. Blackwell. p. 408. ISBN 0-631-17423-0. 

Mousterian tools were made by Neanderthals in Europe, as well as early modern humans in North Africa, the Middle East, and West Asia. They used flint stones and created specialized tools like hand axes, points, and spearheads.

The Mousterian culture was named after the type site of Le Moustier, three rock shelters in the Dordogne region of France. 

Characteristics
 Europe 
Neanderthals in Europe made a style of tools that scientists call the European Mousterian. It existed from around 160,000 BC to 40,000 BC. "the classic Mousterian can be identified after perhaps 160,000 BP and lasts until c. 40,000 BP in Europe."

Some European Mousterian artifacts have very small points. Some were created with a process called the Levallois technique. Others used a different type of method where a flint stone core was prepared for use. Some researchers think this means Neanderthals had greater grip strength than earlier hominids.

 North Africa & Near East 
In North Africa and the Near East, early modern humans made Mousterian tools. The Mousterian industry in North Africa is estimated to be 315,000 years old.

Locations
Mousterian tools have been found in the following locations.

 North Africa 
Haua Fteah in Cyrenaica, Libya, and other sites in Northwest Africa

 Middle East 
Syria (found in a cave with a Neanderthal skeleton)
The Zagros region of Iran and Central Iran
Israel
Israel is one of the places where remains of both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens sapiens have been found with Mousterian artifacts.

 Asia 

 The Haibak Valley in Afghanistan

Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan
Siberia

In Azerbaijan, Mousterian artifacts were found with the lower jaw of a hominid named Azykhantrop. Scientists think this was an earlier species that existed before Neanderthals.

 Europe 
Atapuerca in Spain
Gorham's Cave in Gibraltar
Lynford Quarry in Norfolk, England
Northwestern Croatia 
The Istrian peninsula

Photo gallery

Related pages
Neanderthal
Levallois technique

References

 Other websites 
 A 3D model of a Mousterian hand axe

Category:Stone Age