Late Acheulian Jaljulia – Early human occupations in the paleo-landscape of the central coastal plain of Israel

Abstract

The Lower Paleolithic Late Acheulian in the Levant marks a fascinating chapter in human cultural and biological evolution. Nevertheless, many aspects of the Late Acheulian are still undeciphered, hindered by the complex nature of each site on the one hand, a scarcity of wide, multidisciplinary studies on the other, and by difficulties in obtaining absolute chronology for this timeframe. Therefore, subjects such as human subsistence strategies and modes of adaptation, regional diversity, and the possible existence and nature of interactions between hominin groups are largely understudied. The discovery and study of Jaljulia, a large-scale Late Acheulian site at the central Coastal Plain, Israel, add valuable insights to the research of this chapter in human history. Considered to represent recurrent occupations at a favored, water and flint-rich setting, the site has provided extensive lithic assemblages obtained from several localities. Absolute chronology places the human activity on-site at roughly 500–300 ky (and possibly even later), which is suggested to be divided into several main occupation phases. Geomorphological and sedimentological analyses show a change in environmental conditions, from aeolian sand deposition and overlying Hamra soil during the Middle Pleistocene to high energy fluvial regime which transported large gravels in a north-south paleo-channel. Wetland environments, correlating to the human activity on site, developed later due to higher sea levels and a coastline shifts to the eastward, which caused a blockage of the Yarkon stream corridor to the sea by marine sand. In this paper we present results of the study of the site, including geomorphological formation and post-depositional processes, absolute chronology, lithic and faunal analyses. The site’s extensive lithic assemblages are currently under study and future investigations are expected to shed more light on the technological nature of Late Acheulian Jaljulia.

New ESR/U-series dates of the lowest Acheuleo-Yabrudian levels of Qesem cave

“…= Kefar Menachem West (Malinsky-Buller et al, 2016); Rev.= Revadim (Marder et al, 2007); Jal. = Jaljuliya (Shemer et al, submitted;Zupancich et al, 2021) ; Ho. = Holon (Porat et al, 1999) ; Qes.…”

Flint Type Analysis at Late Acheulian Jaljulia (Israel), and Implications for the Origins of Prepared Core Technologies

“…The proportions of brecciated flint types are also similar (36.3 and 37.8%, respectively). The resemblance in the patterns observed in both assemblages implies a consistency in flint exploitation and selection throughout space, and possibly time, as implied by the chronological differences between the two areas (and for more on the chronology of Areas B and D see Shemer et al, 2022). This may testify to the existence of knowledge transmission procedures among group members concerning the availability of specific flint types in specific locations, as well as concerning the suitability of specific flint types for the production of specific blanks.…”

“…This may testify to the existence of knowledge transmission procedures among group members concerning the availability of specific flint types in specific locations, as well as concerning the suitability of specific flint types for the production of specific blanks. Preliminary (unpublished) chronometric investigations suggest that area D was inhabited around 500 kyr while area B is much younger, most probably around 330 kyr (Shemer et al, 2022). If these dates are confirmed, this might indicate long-term use of the paleolandscape and long-lasting technological traditions practiced at the site of Jaljulia.…”

“…(Shemer et al, Accepted). A paper providing a detailed presentation of the site's chronology and stratigraphy is soon to be published (Shemer et al, 2022). A use wear analysis of the Jaljulia bifaces has demonstrated the processing of hard materials, most likely animal remains, mainly using percussive activities (Zupancich et al, 2021).…”

“…The presence of an old stream-bed in the south-eastern part of the site, as well as evidence for water activity throughout the geological sections of the site (Shemer et al, 2018, Accepted), suggest a landscape favourable for recurrent human occupations, as it was most probably rich in fresh water, vegetation, prey animals (which were attracted to the fresh water and plants), and rocks suitable for the production of stone tools (in stream deposits and near-by geological outcrops). This, in turn, led Late Acheulian humans to repeatedly visit the paleolandscape, as indicated by the wide-spread archaeological localities, which are assumed to be the result of repeated separate occupations over significant time periods throughout the late Lower Paleolithic period (Shemer, 2019;Shemer et al, 2022). The dominance of local flint types observed within the site's lithic assemblages should not, therefore, come as a surprise.…”