Natufian culture

Natufian Culture

Map showing the spread of the Natufian culture.

The Natufian culture was a Mesolithic culture that existed from around 12,500 to 9,500 BCE in the Levant, a region in the Eastern Mediterranean. This culture is significant for its role in the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to more settled, agricultural communities. The Natufians are considered one of the first cultures to establish permanent settlements, which laid the groundwork for the development of agriculture.

Discovery and Research

Dorothy Garrod (centre) during the 1928 discovery of the Natufian culture.

The Natufian culture was first identified by British archaeologist Dorothy Garrod in 1928 at the site of Shuqba Cave in the Judean Hills. Garrod's work was pivotal in recognizing the distinct characteristics of the Natufian culture, which included unique stone tools and evidence of early sedentism.

Characteristics

Settlements

The Natufians are known for their semi-sedentary lifestyle, living in small villages with stone-built structures. These settlements were often located in areas with abundant natural resources, such as near water sources and fertile land.

Natufian supporting wall at El-Wad.

Tools and Technology

Natufian toolkits included microliths, sickle blades, and grinding stones, which suggest a mixed subsistence strategy of hunting, gathering, and early forms of agriculture.

Mortars from Natufian culture, grinding stones from Neolithic pre-pottery phase at Dagon Museum.

Art and Symbolism

The Natufians are also noted for their artistic expressions, including carved stone and bone objects, as well as the burial of the dead with grave goods, indicating complex social and spiritual beliefs.

"Lovers" from 9000 BC, British Museum.

Climate and Environment

Climate and post-glacial expansion in the Near East.

The Natufian culture developed during a period of climatic change at the end of the Pleistocene, which saw a warming trend and the retreat of glaciers. This environmental shift created more hospitable conditions for the development of agriculture and permanent settlements.

Legacy

The Natufian culture is considered a precursor to the Neolithic Revolution, which saw the widespread adoption of agriculture and the rise of complex societies. The transition from foraging to farming marked a significant turning point in human history, leading to the development of cities and civilizations.

Related Pages

• Neolithic Revolution
• Dorothy Garrod
• Shuqba Cave
• Levant