Hunting in the skies: Dating, paleoenvironment and archaeology at the late Pre-Pottery Neolithic B site of Naḥal Roded 110, Eilat Mountains, Israel

Abstract

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.

Blood on the Edge: Proteomic Analyses of Neolithic Arrowheads from the Negev

“…The presence of sparrowhawk proteins on several arrowheads suggests systematic hunting of raptors. This accords well with recent excavations at Nahal Roded 110 41 , a raptor hunting locale, where sparrowhawk appears among other hunted species. While raptors seem to have held particular importance in Neolithic symbolism 42 , their actual presence in faunal assemblages from the period is quite sparse, re ecting a clear preference for talons and feathers.…”

The utilization of birds at neolithic WF16, southern Jordan: Cut marks, body parts, and experimental skinning

“…Parallels can be seen with the raptor remains from Wadi Jilat 22 as discussed earlier, despite the limited quantity of remains. The recently excavated site of Nadal Roded is unique by having only birds of prey represented in deposits, with many bones reported to bear cut marks (Birkenfeld et al, 2020). Further analysis of the remains from this new site has the potential to provide interesting comparisons and insights into the activities at WF16.…”

Prehistoric Cult Sites along the Desert Roads

“…Added to these are 68 'vases' discovered in Neolithic mountain cult sites, especially in the Eilat region. The latter sites are dated by artifacts and radiometric analyses (both 14 C and OSL) to the 8th-6th millennia BCE (Avner et al 2019;Birkenfeld et al 2020) and are the main key for the prehistoric dating of the 'vases' on the ancient roads. A 'vase' found on a single trail leading to two Neolithic cult sites, east of www.mdpi.com/journal/religions along the Desert Roads Arava Science Center, Tamar Regional County, Dead Sea P.O.…”

“…For the Neolithic mountain cult sites (termed "Rodedian"), see (Avner et al 2019;Birkenfeld et al 2020).…”