Analysis of thousands of bones from 20 layers in the Nahal Cave Terrace revealed repeated cut marks on 82 snake vertebrae. The new study expands on previous findings and shows that the reptiles were a regular food source, especially during periods when the settlement was densely populated.
my son The Natopian culture Those who lived in Carmel about 15 to 12 years ago ate Snakes וLizards systematically for about 3,000 years. This is according to a study by researchers Haifa University, published in the journal PNAS.
The study expands on previous work by the researchers, which the Al-Hadayan website reported on back in 2020. While the previous study provided initial evidence that the Natufians ate reptilesThe new work examines thousands of remains from twenty archaeological layers and makes it possible to track consumption patterns throughout the entire settlement sequence at the site.
The study was conducted by Dr. Maayan Lev, Prof. Mina Weinstein-Evron, and Prof. Reuven Yeshurun from the School ofArchaeology and Maritime Cultures and from the Zinman Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa. The remains were collected during excavations at the Terrace The stream cave In the reserve Caves stream.
82 vertebrae bore cut marks
The researchers examined the reptile bones under a microscope, looking for signs of cutting, burning, digestion, and trampling. The aim of the examination was to distinguish between animals that had been caught and prepared for human consumption and reptiles that had been eaten by other animals or died naturally at the site.
Cut marks were found on 82 vertebrae of large snakes. Some vertebrae had multiple marks in the same area, a finding indicating repeated cutting action rather than accidental damage to the bone.
Remains of snakes and lizards appeared in all twenty layers examined. Among the most prominent species were the wood lizard, black lizard, and common scaly lizard. These are relatively large animals, providing more food than smaller reptiles.
Increased consumption during periods of permanent residence
The proportion of reptiles that were probably used for food was higher during periods when the site was inhabited permanently and intensively. During periods when the stay was shorter or more seasonal, their proportion decreased.
The finding fits into a broader picture of the gradual transition from a nomadic life to permanent settlement. As groups Hunter-gatherers Staying in the same place for longer, they were required to exploit a wider variety of food sources from the immediate environment.
The researchers also examined whether the changes in the number of reptile bones could be due to environmental fluctuations. Analysis of the species found at the site indicates a relatively stable Mediterranean woodland environment. This suggests that the changes in reptile consumption were likely due to settlement and hunting patterns rather than a sharp change in animal availability.
Not every reptile that comes their way
The selection of certain species was not random. The researchers ranked the feasibility of capturing each species based on its body size, speed, accessibility, and the risk involved in capturing it.
The wood viper, for example, is a large, relatively slow, and non-venomous reptile. In contrast, remains of vipers, which are more dangerous to catch, turned up at a low rate. The resulting picture is of selective hunting that focused on species that provided a profitable ratio between food quantity and effort and risk.
The study does not indicate that reptiles were the main component of the Natufian diet. It shows that they were not an unusual food eaten only in times of need, but a consistent part of the survival strategy of the site's inhabitants for many generations.
Questions and Answers
What is the evidence that snakes were eaten by humans?
The researchers identified repeated cut marks in similar locations on 82 vertebrae of large snakes. The marks are consistent with dismemberment and food preparation activities.
Did the Natufians eat any type of snake or lizard?
No. The findings indicate a preference for relatively large and accessible species, including the woodcock and the black viper. More dangerous species, such as the viper, were found in low numbers.
What's new compared to the study published in 2020?
The previous study presented the first evidence of reptile consumption. The new study examines 20 layers covering about 3,000 years and links the extent of consumption to the intensity of settlement at the site.
What does this have to do with moving to permanent residency?
During periods when settlement was more permanent and intensive, more evidence of reptile exploitation was found. This may reflect an expansion of the food sources available in the settlement environment.
For the scientific article: Opening the scientific article
More on the subject on the science website
- Discovered for the first time: Early humans 15 years ago also ate snakes and lizards
- Why did the Natufians of the Carmel travel as far as the Sea of Galilee to carve basalt tools?
- What did the settlers on the shores of the Sea of Galilee eat 12 thousand years ago?
- 12-year-old figurine of a woman and a goose from Ein Gev Stream
- For the first time: Tiny flutes 12 years old discovered
