The significance of the Baradostian in the origin of the Upper Paleolithic of Eurasia

The Zagros "Baradostian" clearly belongs to Aurignacian traditions: earlier than traditions in the Levant, it now seems to be later than those in the Balkans. The Aurignacian territory is thus even larger than previously considered. extending from Portugal to Afghanistan. Enormous, profound and complex. the Aurignacian phenomenon cannot be reduced to simple terms, habitually sufficient for "cultures" more limited in range. A new operational mode must be developed to explain a process clearly associated with the origins of modern humans. (C) 2004 Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves.