Ochre, ground stone and wrapping the dead in the Late Epipalaeolithic (Natufian) Levant: revealing the funerary practices at Shubayqa 1, Jordan

The appearance of rich and diverse funerary practices is one of the hallmarks of the Late Epipalaeolithic Natufian in the Levant. Numerous burials at a number of sites excavated mostly in the Mediterranean zone of the southern Levant have fed into the interpretation of the Natufian as a sedentary society of complex hunter-gatherers. Here, we report on the human remains recovered from Shubayqa 1, a well-dated early to late Natufian site in northeast Jordan. The majority of the minimum of 23 individuals that are represented are perinates and infants, which represents an atypical population profile. Ground stone artifacts and traces of colourants are associated with some of these individuals, providing a rare insight into funerary treatment of subadults in Natufian contexts. We interpret the Shubayqa 1 evidence in the light of current and ongoing debates concerning Natufian burial practices and the issue of social complexity

Moving forwards? Palynology and the human dimension

For the greater part of the last century, anthropogenic palynology has made a sustained contribution to archaeology and to Quaternary science in general, and pollen-analytical papers have appeared in Journal of Archaeological Science since its inception. The present paper focuses selectively upon three areas of anthropogenic palynology, enabling some assessment as to whether the field is advancing: land-use studies, archaeological site study, and modelling. The Discussion also highlights related areas including palynomorph identification and associated proxies. There is little doubt that anthropogenic palynology has contributed to the vitality of pollen analysis in general, and although published research can be replicative or incremental, site- and landscape-based studies offer fresh data for further analysis and modelling. The latter allows the testing of both palynological concepts and inferences and can inform archaeological discovery and imagination. Archaeological site studies are often difficult, but palynology can still offer much to the understanding of occupation sites and the discernment of human behaviour patterns within sites

Further Attempts at Dating the Palynological Sequence of the Hula L07 Core, Upper Jordan Valley, Israel

From the 17th International Radiocarbon Conference held in Jerusalem, Israel, June 18-23, 2000.The palynological sequence of the Hula L07 core was previously correlated with the global oxygen isotope stages 3-5, based on a radiocarbon age determination and comparison with other Levantine paleoclimatological curves. An attempt was made to validate this correlation with Th/U dating. Unlike typical European peat, which is acidic, the soil pH of the Hula peat is mildly basic. Not only does this contribute to the oxidation of palynomorphs, but it also helps to preserve the carbonate material that can be a variable mixture of allogenic, endogenic, and authigenic components. Each component may represent a different degree of uranium series disequilibrium. The thorium (232Th) concentrations of the carbonate are low. Total digestion or acid leach of the sample may not always enable the proper correction for initial thorium. The dating derived from a NaOH-extraction of the organic material, while giving apparently better ages, also suffers from the presence of the carbonate admixture. It appears that, while 14C dating can be considered suitable for the younger portions of the core, techniques based upon the U-series may not be as efficacious in dating this important record of climatic change.The Radiocarbon archives are made available by Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform February 202

Natufian plant uses at el-Wad terrace (Mount Carmel, Israel): the phytolith evidence

El-Wad is one of the major Natufian base camps of the Mediterranean core-area. Quantitative, morphologic and morphometric analyses of phytoliths from the site were con ducted in order to identify the plants used in specific archaeological context. The results show that pooid grasses dominated the phytolith record. High concentrations of phytoliths from grass leaves and stems suggest dwelling remains, an important element of Natufian plant exploitation. Phytoliths also indicate that wood and bark were the second most abundant form of vegetation preserved in the site. This study provides new data about Natufian modes of environmental exploitation (or subsistence) on the threshold of early food producing communities in the southern Levant.The morphometric study was made possible by support from the Project Origins and development of agricultural practices in the Levant, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education–MEC(HUM2006-26456-E/HIST). The el-Wad excavations are supported by the Wenner-Gren Foundation.Peer reviewe