The Acheulo-Yabrudian complex has three stone-tool traditions, chronologically: the Acheulo-Yabrudian, the Yabrudian and the Pre-
Aurignacian or Amudian. The Yabrudian tradition is dominated by thick
scrapers shaped by steep Quina retouch; the Acheuleo-Yabrudian contains Yabrudian scrapers and
handaxes; and the Pre-Aurignacian/Amudian is dominated by
blades and blade-tools.[3]
Dating
Determining the age period for the Acheulo-Yabrudian has been difficult as its major excavations occurred in the 1930s and 1950s, before modern
radiometric dating. The recently excavated
Qesem and
Tabun caves, however, suggest the oldest period is about 350 kyr and the most recent 200 kyr. This would make the Lower–Middle Palaeolithic transition rapid occurring at 215,000 BP within a 30,000 year period.[4]
Some date it earlier at 400,000-220,000 bp.[5]