During the Natufian period, more than 12,000 years ago, Eynan (Ain Mallaha) was an important human settlement in the Hula Valley, Israel. This study concentrates on the anuran and squamate assemblage from the ultimate stage of the Natufian period at the site, the Final Natufian. Over five thousand bones assigned to at least sixteen taxa were studied from a sampled segment of the excavated open-air site. Relative species abundance, spatial distribution, taphonomic observations and ecological considerations all pointed to the conclusion that the inhabitants of Eynan intensively exploited three large “colubrine” snakes species: the Large Whip Snake (Dolichophis jugularis), the Eastern Montpellier Snake (Malpolon insignitus) and an Eastern Four-lined Ratsnake (Elaphe cf. sauromates). These snakes were the most desired and were intensively gathered, while other snakes and lizards could have been opportunistically collected when encountered. We raise questions about whether the large “colubrines” exploitation should be interpreted as additional evidence of increasing diet breadth. We suggest challenging this line of reasoning and offer possible alternative motives.
This paper presents findings from the first season of excavations conducted at the mountain-top site of Naḥal Roded 110, located in the southern Negev Desert near Eilat, Israel. Both radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence date the site to the Late Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (LPPNB, late 8 th millennium BC). Palaeoenvironmental data from pollen and charcoal indicate that arid conditions prevailed in the region, with a strong Saharo-Arabian influence. The finds-flints, marine shells and stone objectsshow affinities to LPPNB settlement sites in the region, while the faunal assemblage is unique and comprised solely of raptors. These features raise the question as to the function of the site-a specialised hunting camp, ritual site or our preferred explanation, a combination of the two.Résumé. Cet article présente les résultats de la première saison de fouilles menées sur le site montagneux de Naḥal Roded 110, situé dans le sud du désert du Néguev près d'Eilat, en Israël. Les datations 14 C et par luminescence datent toutes deux le site de la fin du Néolithique acéramique B (LPPNB, fin du 8 e millénaire av. J.-C.). Les données paléo-environnementales extraites des traces de pollen et de charbon de bois indiquent que des conditions arides similaires à celles d'aujourd'hui prévalaient dans la région, avec une forte influence saharo-arabe. Les objets trouvés -silex, coquillages marins et objets en pierre -montrent des similitudes avec les sites de peuplement du LPPNB dans la région, tandis que l'assemblage faunique est particulièrement original et composé exclusivement de rapaces. Ces caractéristiques soulèvent la question de la fonction du site : camp de chasse, site rituel ou, notre hypothèse préférée, une combinaison des deux.
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