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The thick foils activation technique has been applied to estimate the average cross-sections of 168,170,176Yb $(\gamma, \mathrm{n})$ (γ,n) reaction near to photodisintegration threshold. The $(\gamma, \mathrm{n})$ (γ,n) cross-sections are derived using the integrated photon flux at any energy range from the reaction threshold to the bremsstrahlung end-point energy. The photon flux is estimated using a calibration photodisintegration set of foils and taking in advance the spectrum linearity at high energies. The p-nuclei 168Yb average cross-section is 106±21 mb corresponding to E mean =10 MeV. The 170Yb average cross section is 117±31 mb matching E mean =9 MeV while the 176Yb one is 123±36 mb corresponding to E mean =8 MeV. The experimental results associate to statistical model simulations performed by the TALYS code. The simulated data of 168Yb ranges 83–139 mb, while 170Yb and 176Yb vary between 89–152 and 84–170mb; which agree with the measurements within uncertainties. The simulated average cross-section of natYb $(\gamma, \mathrm{n})$ (γ,n) reaction is 127±25 mb corresponding to energy ranges 6.6-14 MeV. The simulation results based on Lorentzian γ -strength considerations with the density level of Fermi gas plus the constant temperature model are closest to the average cross-sections measured.