Discussion and Conclusions

This chapter summarizes the results of the analyses of the lithic assemblages of Gesher Benot Yaʻaqov and their behavioral, social, and cognitive implications. We discuss the place of these lithic assemblages within the Acheulian record and present a summary of the reduction sequences of each of the raw materials. We provide a comparative view of the reduction sequences, emphasizing typological and technological characteristics as well as issues of variability and conservatism along the cultural sequence. Finally, we present our conclusions on the behavioral patterns and cognitive abilities of the hominins that occupied the site, including issues of mobility, division of labor, group size, preferred locale, home base, and modern cognitive traits.