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Pleistocene connexions between Africa and Southwest Asia: an archaeological perspective

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Abstract

This paper investigates the archaeological evidence for direct prehistoric connexions between Southwest Asia and Africa during the Palaeolithic period. The importance of the ‘Levantine Corridor’ bridging the two continents is stressed in describing the dispersal ofHomo erectus. The continental bridge could have been through the Nile Valley during the Late Acheulian and the emergence of earlyHomo sapiens. Upper Palaeolithic and especially Epi-Palaeolithic dispersal during the terminal Pleistocene are discussed. The role of Egyptian-Levantine connexions in the context of the complex situation which led to sedentism is stressed.

Résumé

Cet article étudie les témoignages archéologiques qui indiquent l'existence des liens directs au cours de la préhistoire entre le Sud-Ouest de l'Asie et l'Afrique à l'époque paléolithique. L'importance du ‘Couloir levantin’ qui relie les deux continents est soulignée dans la description de la dispersion de l'Homo erectus. Le pont continental pourrait avoir été la vallée du Nil pendant l'Acheuléen final et l'emergence des premiersHomo sapiens. L'auteur discute des dispersions du Paléolithique supérieur et surtout de l'Epipaléolithique pendant le Pléistocène terminal. Il insiste sur le rôle des liens entre l'Egypte et le Levant dans le contexte de la situation complexe qui conduisit à la vie sédentaire.

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Bar-Yosef, O. Pleistocene connexions between Africa and Southwest Asia: an archaeological perspective. Afr Archaeol Rev 5, 29–38 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01117080

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