Approaching Surface Laminar Assemblages in the Messak Massif (SW Libya).

Recent surveys of the Sapienza-University of Rome archaeological mission in the Messak (SW Libya) identified numerous surface assemblages, within the residual stone pavement of the massif, characterized by laminar production. Blade technology has no chrono-cultural value in itself, giving its early occurrence and adoption well before the MSA. Technologically, analogous blades can be obtained through different methods, often difficult to firmly assess. Problems in assessing the chrono-cultural framework arise not only from technological convergences, but also from the rarity of chrono-culturally diagnostic retouched implements. Considering such biases, we discuss on whether it is possible to claim a LSA occupation of the area, traditionally excluded also because of the hyperarid environment which established at the end of the Late Pleistocene. This is a rather hard topic to approach and unavoidably needs further research. However, some propositions in this direction can provisionally be advanced on the basis of our field work observations.