You are here:

Archaeology/palaeolithic period

Advertisement

Expert: - 11/26/2003


Question
was the upper palaeolithic a time of unprecedented innovation?

Answer
Tara,
Yes, by any objective standard, the pace at which new behaviors appear in the archaeological record increases dramatically at the Middle-Upper Paleolithic transition, ca. 40,000 BP.  Previous periods exhibit relatively little change over time.
Sincerely,
John Shea
Related Articles

Archaeology

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

John J. Shea

Expertise

Questions about Old World prehistoric archaeology (mainly Europe, Near East, and Africa during the Paleolithic period/Pleistocene Epoch). IMPORTANT: I do not give advice about colleges. I do not appraise the value of artifacts or fossils.

Experience

University professor of anthropology/archaeology since 1991. Dozens of publications in peer-review anthropology journals. Director of archaeological-paleontological expeditions and excavations in Israel, Jordan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Kenya. See my main profile under Allexperts` "Anthropology" section. Professional website: http://www.sunysb.edu/anthro/staff/jshea.shtml Personal website: http://www.sunysb.edu/anthro/Shea/Shea%20pers%20webpage.htm

Education/Credentials
>20 years as faculty at major research university

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.