Hierarchy classification:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Styles and Periods Facet
3. Styles and Periods (hierarchy name)
4. [styles, periods, and cultures by region]
5. African (general, continental cultures)
6. prehistoric African
7. prehistoric North African periods
8. African Paleolithic periods

Anotations

Scope note:

Refers to a highly developed Middle and Late Paleolithic tool-making culture that was widespread in northern Africa during the late Pleistocene Epoch from around 30,000 Before Present. It apparently developed as an advanced African form of the European Levalloisian tradition, and is named for the site at Bir al-Atir, Tunisia. It is characterized by the use of the bow and arrow, the formation of stems or tangs on arrowheads, spearheads, and scrapers to facilitate hafting, and a very fine pressure chipping technique. Some scholars believe there is a relationship between Aterian leaf-shaped blades and Solutrean blades, and that the Aterians entered the Iberian Peninsula during Solutrean times.