Lithic technology at the Early Dabban in Hagfet ed Dabba (Cyrenaica, Libya)

The Early Dabban industry was discovered in the Cyrenaica region (Northeast of Libya), considered to be representative of the early stages of the Later Stone Age in this region. This industry was defined based on the lithic assemblages recovered from Hagfet ed Dabba and the nearby Haua Fteah site. We studied the lithic material from Level VI of the Hagfet ed Dabba site, which was excavated by Prof. McBurney in 1949. The aim of the lithic production was to obtain blade/bladelets through bidirectional and unidirectional prismatic methods. Blanks are of two types: wide, non-curved and straight blade/bladelets and narrow and pointed blades/bladelets. The blanks were modified mostly into backed pieces/points and Chamfered pieces. We discuss the role and possible contacts of the Dabban in understanding the Later Stone Age in northern Africa and the Initial Upper Palaeolithic and Upper Palaeolithic in the Near East. Following the technological analysis of Level VI, we consider the Early Dabban as representing an independent and local industry of the Early Later Stone Age with possible influences from the Levantine IUP and Ahmarian industries. Nevertheless, there is no evidence of direct affiliation with any of them, and the industry indeed portrays its own specific characteristics.