Book
From foraging to agriculture: the Levant at the end of the Ice Age
University of Philidelphia Press • Philadelphia • Published In 1989 • Pages:
By: Henry, Donald O..
Abstract
Henry takes a closer look at the archaeological data for the Epipaleolithic to describe the emergence of the Natufian tradition and to propose a new theory as to why the Natufians, who were complex foragers, began agriculture at the end of the time period. He states, 'Essentially two conditions were necessary for the development of plant cultivation: the technology for collection, processing, and storage; and the presence of potential domesticates in economically viable settings.' And it is important that '…the technology was in place before it was applied to intensive exploitation of plants…' (page 231). He also sees the Natufians turning to agriculture as one way to respond to the environmental changes that happened at the start of the Holocene. Henry examines others' theories as to the origins of agriculture to show where they do not fit the data. In support of his theory he summarizes the Mushabian Complex, the Geometric Kebaran Complex, the Natufian Complex and the Harifian Industry.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2009
- Region
- Middle East
- Sub Region
- Middle East
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Archaeologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Sarah Berry; 2007
- Field Date
- 1972-1984
- Coverage Date
- 14,500 BP-10,100 BP
- Coverage Place
- Egypt, Israel, Jordon, Lebanon, Palestinian Autonomous Areas, and Syria
- Notes
- Donald O. Henry
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-257)
- LCCN
- 88027848
- LCSH
- Neolithic period--Middle East/Agriculture, Prehistoric--Middle East/Paleoclimatology--Middle East/Middle East--Antiquities