The Canaanean Blades from Tel Yarmuth, Israel: A technological analysis

Technological analyses of material recovered from the excavations at Tel Yarmuth offer new insights into the nature of Canaanean blade technology, the structure of manufacture, and the place of this sophisticated production system in Early Bronze Age society. Detailed study of the entire range of Canaanean production waste, debitage, and tools shows clearly the use of the lever pressure technique for blade removals. The presence of evidence for all stages of reduction on the site, including collection and reduction of nodules, production of blades, and conversion of blades into tools, indicates on-site production. Nevertheless, the absence of any evidence for a proper workshop suggests that blades were both brought in as trade items from off-site workshops, most likely by the knappers themselves, and manufactured specially on demand, by those same knappers. Reconstructing the specialized production and exchange system, considering the skills required for the manufacture of these blades, the number of blades that can be produced by a specialist, and the general distribution of waste both at Tel Yarmuth and in general, it is likely that only a relatively few specialists were actually required for the Canaanean production system any time.