The available literature suggests that the Early Middle Palaeolithic sites differ from the later Mousterian sites in the used of reduction strategies and tool-kits. The sophistication visible in all the considered assemblages seems quite startling in comparison to the succeeding Middle Palaeolithic complexes, governed as they were by the Levallois reduction strategy. However, the Early Middle Palaeolithic sites in the Near East are not numerous, this period still remains relatively unstudied with more quantitative techno-typological as well traceological studies required to be able to compare these assemblages between themselves and also with the following Levallois-Mousterian collections. This in turn could help to approach the issue of the classical model of linear development of Levantine Middle Palaeolithic lithic industries established on the sequence of Tabun Cave.

The overall aim of the research is to, interpret the function of the tools with regards to tool action and contact material on Early Middle Palaeolithic assemblages from Hayonim Cave using traceological approaches. It will be shown that these this method can contribute significantly to an improved understanding of tool morphologies, technological evolution and site function throughout the Middle Palaeolithic. The results of such studies can then be used to approach questions of subsistence strategy and spatial arrangements of activity areas on a site. This in turn can be used to elaborate systemic reasoning opening up areas including interpretation of a social and symbolic nature.