After the Lower Palaeolithic: Lithic ramification in the early Middle Palaeolithic of Orgnac 3, layer 2 (Ardèche, France)

The end of the Lower Palaeolithic in Europe occurred over a long period of time, spanning MIS 9-MIS 6. A number of questions still subsist regarding the advent and disappearance of some technical behaviours (mainly but not exclusively Levallois knapping and bifacial shaping). New technological studies highlight ramified strategies in the early Middle Palaeolithic. This ramification is traditionally associated with the Late Mousterian where it is a typical component of the assemblages. The site of Orgnac 3 is a key sequence for understanding this Lower to Middle Palaeolithic transition, at the top of the sequence, three layers contain an early Middle Palaeolithic industry. In layer 2, the focus of this study, dated to MIS b8, around 300 ky, the predominant use of the Levallois concept and typical Middle Palaeolithic tools are associated with some bifacial tools and pebble tools. A new technological analysis, based on the study of the small debitage, highlights different types of production on flake blanks. These methods mainly exploit ventral flake surfaces (Levallois knapping and Kombewa knapping). The technical characteristics of this layer point to a well-developed Middle Palaeolithic. Thus, at the beginning of MIS 8, Levallois technology is already well developed and complex reduction strategies are present in south-eastern France.