Social Complexity in the Southern Levantine PPNB as Reflected through Lithic Studies: The bidirectional blade industries

The aims of this research are two-fold. First is to present and systematically analyze the bidirectional flint blade industries from PPNB sites throughout the southern Levant. The other aim is to examine two of the models discussed, Regionalism and Craft specialization. With regards to Regionalism the author examines whether the proposed cultural units for the southern Levant region are also reflected in the bidirectional blade industries. The issue of Craft specialization is examined to consider whether complex lithic economies such as the one described for Ain Ghazal can be identified at other sites in the southern Levant.