Thermoluminescence dating of eight heated flint artefacts from the Late Mousterian (Moustérien tardif) layer С at Jerf al- Ajla, cave in the Syrian steppe desert near Palmyra gave an average age of 33.3 ±2.3 ka. The assemblage shows strong similarities to the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic stratigraphically intermediate layers from the nearby site of Umm el Tlel, which are dated by the same method on the same kind of material to a statistically identical age. This dating result extends the age range of the Middle Palaeolithic in the Levant and indicates a considerable overlap in time with not only the Upper Palaeolithic, but with the transitional industries as well. The Levantine technocomplexes assigned, to the times before, during and after the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic shift/transition are briefly discussed here, with a focus on the chronometric data available. The presented new dating results emphasize the complexity in the development lithic and the difficulties a single model to times of change.

This study reviews geoarchaeological research on several Paleolithic sites in the Syrian steppe‐desert, and reports on renewed geoarchaeological investigations at the cave site of Jerf al‐Ajla, near the oasis town of Palmyra in central Syria. Major Middle Paleolithic complexes are associated with extensive exposed Eocene and Cretaceous chert‐bearing formations, particularly at sites near permanent water sources. Renewed field investigations at Jerf al‐Ajla refined previously reported stratigraphic relationships and Paleolithic industries, particularly for the Middle to Upper Paleolithic boundary. Analysis of burned Middle Paleolithic flints/chert indicate the latter are sufficiently heated for TL dating. Thermoluminescence dates were obtained on five heated flint artifacts from the Mousterian layer C1, giving a weighted mean of 35.6 ± 3.4 ka. This dating of a late Middle Paleolithic industry (Moustérien tardif) at Jerf al‐Ajla is in agreement with data from the adjacent El Kowm basin in east‐central Syria at the site of Umm el‐Tlel, indicating a new aspect of Middle Paleolithic in Levantine Paleolithic research. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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