Cultural Evolution and Interaction during the Epipaleolithic
The behavioral residue of the prehistoric populations inhabiting southern Jordan from ca. 19,000–10,000 years ago points to the existence of two distinct cultural evolutionary tracks. The one represented by the Hamran—Natufian succession is an extension of the Kebaran—Geometric Kebaran—Natufian sequence that characterizes this interval within the Mediterranean woodlands. In contrast, the other developmental sequence, represented by the Qalkhan—Madamaghan succession, appears to have been centered in the arid zone. During the early part of this succession, Qalkhan groups seemingly occupied only areas east of the Rift Valley within the arid belt along the eastern margins of the Mediterranean woodlands stretching from southern Jordan to near the Euphrates of northeastern Syria. Later, some 13,000–14,000 years ago, a population expansion west across the Rift is indicated by the strong affinities between the Madamaghan Industry and other regional facies of the Mushabian Complex concentrated in the Sinai and Negev.
KeywordsWarm Season Rift Valley Arid Zone Cultural Deposit Prehistoric Population
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