The handaxes of Revadim Quarry: Typo-technological considerations and aspects of intra-site variability

This paper will focus on the handaxes recovered from the excavations at the Lower Paleolithic site of Revadim Quarry. The site is located on the southern coastal plain, 40 km southeast of Tel Aviv. Some 250 m2 were excavated in several areas of the site. Paleomagnetism data indicate that the site is of normal polarity (younger than 780 ka); the characteristics of the flint assemblage and the fauna point to a Late Acheulian horizon. Four seasons of excavation were conducted on the site. During the last season two main areas were excavated, Area B in the northeast part of the site and Area C in the southern part. In Area C, at least three superimposed layers were revealed, with intervals between them. The upper layers were found imbedded within the gray-brown calcite paleosol, while the lower layer was encountered on top of the red hamra-husmas paleosol. In contrast, in Area B one main level of occupation, probably contemporaneous with the lowest layer of Area C, was found. The density of flint items is greater in Area C, mainly in the upper layers, with many flaked tools, choppers and few handaxes. However, Area B provided a large sample of handaxes. The handaxes show variability in shape and dimensions between the areas of excavation. There are also both morphological and typological differences within the different sub-areas of Area C. One interesting phenomenon is the recycling of handaxes as cores, most common in Area C.