Atherian

At the end of the Paleolithic, the Aterian lithic industry arose in the Maghreb and the Sahara, extending from approximately 38,000 BC. C. to 10,000 B.C. c.).

It is considered the first regional prehistoric civilization in Africa, after the Acheulean, which spanned the entire continent. From this regional culture arise its successors: the Ibero-Mauritanian (or Oraniense), the Capsian and the Keremian (the latter typical of Western Algeria).

The limits of territorial expansion are, to the south, the 18th parallel, to the east Tripolitania, Libya, and part of Egypt, and to the west the Río de Oro. Apparently, Egypt only reached a late phase, It did not reach the entire territory. Except in Morocco, the Aterian littoral is archaic, with the most evolved forms corresponding to the interior of Morocco and north-central Sahara.

Punta pedunculada del Ateriense (Djelfa, Algeria)

What characterizes the Atherian is the lithic industry of pedunculated points, applied to weapons and utensils.