Preliminary observations on the Levantine Aurignacian sequence of Manot Cave: Cultural affiliations and regional perspectives

Ofer Marder, Maayan Shemer, Talia Abulafia, Daniella Bar-Yosef Mayer, Francesco Berna, Solene Caux, Lotan Edeltin, Mae Goder-Goldberger, Israel Hershkovitz, Ron Lavi, Roi Shavit, Jose Miguel Tejero, Reuven Yeshurun, Omry Barzilai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

A well-preserved sequence of Early Upper Paleolithic (EUP) occupations has been revealed in the past decade in Manot Cave, the studies of which shed light on the cultural dynamics and subsistence patterns and paleoenvironment. Most intriguing is the series of overlying Levantine Aurignacian occupation layers, exposed near the entrance to the cave. Area E is considered the inner part of the main activity area in Manot Cave. Remains of intact combustion features, as well as numerous flint artifacts and faunal remains, were found, indicating a high level of preservation. Within a 2.5 m sequence, nine distinct occupation layers were defined. The presence of characteristic flint and osseous industries alongside a rich mollusk assemblage led to the initial association of the sequence as a whole to the Levantine Aurignacian. However, as research advanced and variability in the material culture became apparent, it became clear that a division of the sequence into two phases, early and late, is required. A preliminary study of the assemblage variability implies distinct changes in human behavior between the two phases. Most prominently, these are indicated by a change in bladelet production method and morphology alongside an increase in the significance of the bladelet component within the flint assemblage, the disappearance of composite osseous industries, and a steep decrease in mollusk shell representation in the late occupation phase. Radiocarbon dating indicates a short time span between the two phases. The earlier phase defined as, Levantine Aurignacian, was ascribed an age range of 38–34 ka cal BP with a more constrained age range of 37–35 ka cal BP suggested based on Bayesian models. In the late phase, which is temporarily referred to as “post-Levantine Aurignacian,” an age range of 36–33 ka cal BP is suggested.

Original languageEnglish
Article number102705
JournalJournal of Human Evolution
Volume160
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2021
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019

Funding

The Manot Cave excavations is a joint project of the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Tel Aviv University, and Israel Antiquities Authority. The project is supported by the Dan David Foundation, the Israel Science Foundation (grant no. 338/14;999/18), Binational Science Foundation (grant. no. 2015303), Case Western Reserve University, the Irene Levi-Sala CARE Foundation, and the Leaky Foundation. We thank Patrice Kaminski for drawing the flint illustrations, Evgeniy Ostrovskiy for field and studio photography, Hannah Parow-Souchon for high-resolution panorama pictures of the cave and the excavated areas, and Eliyahu Cohen-Sasson for section drawings and software support throughout the excavation. We wish to express our gratitude to Isaac Gilead and Steve Rosen, for their valuable comments and remarks on earlier versions of this manuscript. The Manot Cave excavations is a joint project of the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Tel Aviv University, and Israel Antiquities Authority. The project is supported by the Dan David Foundation, the Israel Science Foundation (grant no. 338/14;999/18 ), Binational Science Foundation (grant. no. 2015303 ), Case Western Reserve University , the Irene Levi-Sala CARE Foundation , and the Leaky Foundation . We thank Patrice Kaminski for drawing the flint illustrations, Evgeniy Ostrovskiy for field and studio photography, Hannah Parow-Souchon for high-resolution panorama pictures of the cave and the excavated areas, and Eliyahu Cohen-Sasson for section drawings and software support throughout the excavation. We wish to express our gratitude to Isaac Gilead and Steve Rosen, for their valuable comments and remarks on earlier versions of this manuscript.

FundersFunder number
Ben Gurion University
CARE Foundation
Dan David Foundation
Israel Antiquities Authority
Case Western Reserve University
Leaky Foundation
Dan David Prize
United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation2015303
Israel Science Foundation338/14;999/18
Tel Aviv University

    Keywords

    • Cultural variability
    • Levantine Aurignacian
    • Manot Cave
    • Regional context
    • Upper Paleolithic

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