Re:Chatelperronian vs. Aurignacian (Score 2, Interesting)

Material culture (lithic industry in this case) commonly associated with the "later Ancients" (e.g. Neanderthals) is called "Mousterian" and was widespread in Middle East and Europe between 250-200 Ka and 30 Ka. It is based on flake technology and consists of mainly scrapers, denticulates and points, which are often made in "levalois" technique. It doesn't include any bone tools (bone points are typical Aurignacian tool). There is a striking (cognitive) difference between Chatelperonronian and Aurignacian on one side (which use blade technology) and Mousterian on the other. Since Chatelperronan material culture was found together with Neanderthal burials (cave Sant-Cesaire) it is now widely thought that Chatelperronian industry is handiwork of Ancients. However, this transittion in technology is not evident in other aspects of material culture. Chatelperronian sites have same nest-like organisation of space as Mousterian and are in striking contrast to the Aurignacien campsites (with huts, structures etc.). It is possible that the reason behind Mousterian-Chatelperronian technological (and cognitive?) transition is imitation rather than invention.