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The chronological positioning of the Aterian hominid remains and industry is far from clear. Based on 14C dates it has been suggested that the Aterian dates to ca. 40 to 20 ka BP (Debénath 2000; Wengler 1997; Texier et al 1988). However, numerous authors, particularly those working further east, have taken issue with this assessment and point out that dates for the Aterian in the Sahara are much older (Chremaschi et al 1998; Garcea 2004; Wendorf and Schild 1992; Hawkins and Kleindienst 2001). Together with the recent dating of Mugharet el Aliya to around 60 to 80 ka B.P. (Wrinn 2003) this evidence amounts to a chronological crisis for the Aterian industry. Only the re-dating of the important sites with complementary dating methods will allow us to resolve the current chronological problems.
Hominid remains are rare in the Aterian, with examples coming from only six sites, including Smuggler’s Cave. The remains from Dar-es-Soltane 2, which include a cranium of an older man, the calvarium of an infant, and the mandible from a teenager, are the most complete. The remains from Smuggler’s Cave include a mandible, a frontal fragment, and another large fragment of the cranium. All of these Aterian remains, although initially identified as Homo neanderthalensis, are now attributed to fully modern Homo sapiens (Debénath 2000, 1976; Roche and Texier 1976; Minugh-Purvis 1993; Senyürek 1940; Ferembach 1998, 1976a, 1976b, 1985; Saban 1998; Ménard 1998; Hublin 1993, but see Myster and Smith 1990).