The Palaeolithic of JordanThe Palaeolithic of Jordan

Omar al-Ghul, Ph.D.Omar al-Ghul, Ph.D.Department of ArchaeologyDepartment of Archaeology

Faculty of Archaeology and TourismFaculty of Archaeology and TourismJordan UniversityJordan UniversityFebreuary 2014Febreuary 2014

The Divisions of the The Divisions of the PalaeolithicPalaeolithic

The Palaeolithic of Jordan is divided into three The Palaeolithic of Jordan is divided into three phases that extend from 900.000 to 22.500 years phases that extend from 900.000 to 22.500 years

Bp (Before present). Bp (Before present). Lower Paleolithic (900.000 to 150.000 years Bp).Lower Paleolithic (900.000 to 150.000 years Bp).

MiddleMiddle Paleolithic (150.000 to 45000 years Bp).Paleolithic (150.000 to 45000 years Bp). Upper Paleolithic (45.000 to 22.500 years Bp).Upper Paleolithic (45.000 to 22.500 years Bp).

This division is based on two types of evidence: This division is based on two types of evidence: Flint tools. Flint tools.

Human evolution. Human evolution.

Subsistance in the Subsistance in the PalaeolithicPalaeolithic

People lived from hunting of wild animals People lived from hunting of wild animals and gathering of fruits. and gathering of fruits.

Therefore, we speak of the “Hunter-Therefore, we speak of the “Hunter-gatherer” groups. gatherer” groups.

These consisted of small groups of people These consisted of small groups of people (ca. 20-50 persons):(ca. 20-50 persons): who were blood-related,who were blood-related, Had no hierarchy,Had no hierarchy, Moved from one place to another hunting and Moved from one place to another hunting and

gathering, gathering, lived in caves or shelters. lived in caves or shelters.

HuntingHunting

The environment The environment during the during the PalaeolithicPalaeolithic Climatic conditions fluctuated Climatic conditions fluctuated between cool and moist to cool between cool and moist to cool and dry. and dry.

Many areas of Jordan experienced Many areas of Jordan experienced a higher water table, which a higher water table, which resulted in numerous springs resulted in numerous springs throughout many regions of the throughout many regions of the upland plateau and in lakes and upland plateau and in lakes and marshes, such as those found in marshes, such as those found in the Azraq Basin and near Lake the Azraq Basin and near Lake Lisan, the precursor to the Dead Lisan, the precursor to the Dead Sea. Sea.

Some of these areas would have Some of these areas would have been heavily vegetated. been heavily vegetated.

It is likely that vegetation zones It is likely that vegetation zones like the Mediterranean forest and like the Mediterranean forest and the steppe grasslands were much the steppe grasslands were much greater in geographic extent than greater in geographic extent than they are today. they are today.

Jafir BasinJafir Basin

The Lower Palaeolithic The Lower Palaeolithic 900.000 – 150.000 years bp900.000 – 150.000 years bp

It is difficult to study the sites that go It is difficult to study the sites that go back to this period in Jordan for the back to this period in Jordan for the following reasons: following reasons: They were very old that archaeologists rarely They were very old that archaeologists rarely

find sites from this period still intact. find sites from this period still intact. Many flint tools are not found in their original Many flint tools are not found in their original

archaeological contexts, but in later archaeological contexts, but in later secondary ones. secondary ones.

In many cases flint tools from this period can In many cases flint tools from this period can not be associated with animal remains that not be associated with animal remains that can be used in dating the archaeological can be used in dating the archaeological context. context.

Sites of the Lower Sites of the Lower PalaeolithicPalaeolithic

People lived during this period in open People lived during this period in open places. places.

These were small and close to water These were small and close to water sources. sources.

The earliest of them is “Dogarah”, which is The earliest of them is “Dogarah”, which is located at the Zarqa river, north of located at the Zarqa river, north of Amman. Amman.

The faunal remains there are dated to The faunal remains there are dated to around 900.000 – 1 million years bp. around 900.000 – 1 million years bp.

Sites of the Lower Sites of the Lower PalaeolithicPalaeolithic

People lived in Wadi al-People lived in Wadi al-Sarhan, which they also Sarhan, which they also probably used to travel probably used to travel through the Arab through the Arab Peninsula. Peninsula.

And they lived around And they lived around the lakes in the al-the lakes in the al-Azraq region, as in Ain Azraq region, as in Ain al-Asad and Ain Sawda. al-Asad and Ain Sawda.

There, one found There, one found animal remains, such as animal remains, such as camel, boar, elephant. camel, boar, elephant.

One lived also in the One lived also in the vacinity of Tabaqat vacinity of Tabaqat Fahil in the northern Fahil in the northern Jordan Valley. Jordan Valley.

Biface scraper from Ain al-Biface scraper from Ain al-AsadAsad

The Middle PalaeolithicThe Middle Palaeolithic150.000 – 45000 years bp150.000 – 45000 years bp

We have from this period also very We have from this period also very few sites.few sites.

But archaeologists did find traces of But archaeologists did find traces of human occupation in shelters as well human occupation in shelters as well as in open places.as in open places.

The environment in Middle The environment in Middle Palaeolithic Palaeolithic

Climate witnessed several fluctuations during Climate witnessed several fluctuations during this period. In the earlier part, the climate this period. In the earlier part, the climate was cold and moist, in the later cold and dry. was cold and moist, in the later cold and dry.

Vegetation, like forests and open steppe Vegetation, like forests and open steppe extended farther to the south, like Wadi al-extended farther to the south, like Wadi al-Hasa. Hasa.

Many places were characterized by lakes and Many places were characterized by lakes and marshes or seasonal ponds, resulting in small marshes or seasonal ponds, resulting in small patches of tress including oak. patches of tress including oak.

Humans during the Middle Humans during the Middle PalaeolithicPalaeolithic

No human trances were found in Jordan No human trances were found in Jordan from this period. from this period.

However, remains of the However, remains of the NeanderthalerNeanderthaler and of the and of the Homo SapiensHomo Sapiens were found were found from the same period in Palestine.from the same period in Palestine.

There is no agreement among scholars There is no agreement among scholars on the nature of the relationship on the nature of the relationship between these two species. between these two species.

Neanderthaler and Homo Neanderthaler and Homo SapiensSapiens

FireFire

Settlement patterns during the Settlement patterns during the Middle Palaeolithic Middle Palaeolithic

The earliest site from this The earliest site from this period is a shelter in Ain period is a shelter in Ain Dufla in Wadi Ali, a Dufla in Wadi Ali, a tributary of Wadi al-Hasa. tributary of Wadi al-Hasa.

Dated between 180.000 Dated between 180.000 and 90.000 years bp. and 90.000 years bp.

It seems that people It seems that people developed a pattern of developed a pattern of settelment, in which they settelment, in which they spend the winter in lower spend the winter in lower places and summer in places and summer in higher ones. higher ones.

Faunal remains indicate Faunal remains indicate abundance of water.abundance of water.

The Upper PalaeolithicThe Upper Palaeolithic45000 – 22.500 years bp45000 – 22.500 years bp

There are relatively many sites from There are relatively many sites from this period. this period.

Some are open, others are shelters Some are open, others are shelters and caves. and caves.

Many of them are located in Wadi al-Many of them are located in Wadi al-Hasa, Ra’s al-Naqab and in the al-Hasa, Ra’s al-Naqab and in the al-Azraq Basin. Azraq Basin.

Sites of the Sites of the Upper Upper PalaeolithicPalaeolithic

Environment during the Upper Environment during the Upper PalaeolithicPalaeolithic

This earlier part of this period was slightly This earlier part of this period was slightly more moist that the Middle Palaeolithic.more moist that the Middle Palaeolithic.

Around 25.000 years bp temperatures Around 25.000 years bp temperatures began to drop world-wide with the onset of began to drop world-wide with the onset of the last glacial maximum of the the last glacial maximum of the Pleistocene. Pleistocene.

However, the water table remained high, However, the water table remained high, so that lakes, marshes and ponds so that lakes, marshes and ponds continued to exist. continued to exist.

Sites of the Upper Sites of the Upper PalaeolithicPalaeolithic

One of the main settled regions in this period was Wadi One of the main settled regions in this period was Wadi al-Hasa. The Hasa lake reached some 40.000 years al-Hasa. The Hasa lake reached some 40.000 years ago its maximum size, with around 50.000 square km. ago its maximum size, with around 50.000 square km. 20.000 years bp it began to shrink again. 20.000 years bp it began to shrink again.

About 70 sites were uncovered in the vicinity of the About 70 sites were uncovered in the vicinity of the lake. Some were open places, others were shelters. lake. Some were open places, others were shelters. They were in the average about 4 km away from the They were in the average about 4 km away from the lake. lake.

One found in these site bones of gazelles and tortoise. One found in these site bones of gazelles and tortoise. The region to east of the lake was probably a hunting The region to east of the lake was probably a hunting

and gathering area for the people living in these sites. and gathering area for the people living in these sites.

A Shelter from Wadi al-Hasa A Shelter from Wadi al-Hasa from the Upper Palaeolithicfrom the Upper Palaeolithic

Sites and settlement Sites and settlement patterns of the Upper patterns of the Upper

PalaeolithicPalaeolithic Humans lived in the Ra’s al-Naqab Humans lived in the Ra’s al-Naqab

and in al-Azraq regions, as well as in and in al-Azraq regions, as well as in the northern Jordan Valley and in the northern Jordan Valley and in Petra. Petra.

It seems that the seasonal pattern of It seems that the seasonal pattern of migration was maintained in this migration was maintained in this period too. period too.

The EpipalaeolithicThe Epipalaeolithic

The EpipalaeolithicThe Epipalaeolithic22.500 – 10.300 bp22.500 – 10.300 bp

The last period of the Palaeolithic. The last period of the Palaeolithic. It demonstrates the largest number It demonstrates the largest number

of sites, because:of sites, because: they are late and most of the sites were they are late and most of the sites were

preserved. preserved. They are relatively large. They are relatively large.

Sites of the PalaeolithicSites of the Palaeolithic

Main characteristics: Main characteristics: - The big number and variety of flint tools.The big number and variety of flint tools.- The appearance of “houses”. The appearance of “houses”. - The increased evidence of “art” and The increased evidence of “art” and

“decorations”.“decorations”.

Sites of the PalaeolithicSites of the Palaeolithic

People lived in the north-eastern People lived in the north-eastern desert, where they built stone desert, where they built stone enclosures and circular huts. enclosures and circular huts.

They lived also around the al-Hasa They lived also around the al-Hasa lake, until it dried up around 13.500 lake, until it dried up around 13.500 years bp. years bp.

When they became totally dependant When they became totally dependant on springs. on springs.

A Shelter from the A Shelter from the EpipalaeolithicEpipalaeolithic

Houses from “Harranah 4”/ ca. Houses from “Harranah 4”/ ca. 20.000 bp20.000 bp

The Environment in the The Environment in the EpipalaeolithicEpipalaeolithic

Around 18.000 years bp, temperatures Around 18.000 years bp, temperatures reached their lowest point world-wide, at reached their lowest point world-wide, at the end of the last glacial age. the end of the last glacial age.

This led to the wide spread of steppe This led to the wide spread of steppe vegetation.vegetation.

The lakes in al-Azraq and al-Hasa regions The lakes in al-Azraq and al-Hasa regions shrank, but springs were not affected.shrank, but springs were not affected.

The moist weather will dominate again The moist weather will dominate again after 15.000 years bp, and forests will after 15.000 years bp, and forests will appear again in Jordan. appear again in Jordan.

Ehnitic groupsEhnitic groups??

Did all human groups belong to the Did all human groups belong to the same ethnic background? same ethnic background?

If we find two collections of flint If we find two collections of flint tools, in two neighboring areas, tools, in two neighboring areas, where the same environmental where the same environmental conditions prevail, can the conditions prevail, can the differences in tool industry be differences in tool industry be explained by ethnic differences? explained by ethnic differences?

Social DifferencesSocial Differences??

Since burials from this period vary in Since burials from this period vary in their structure and in “gifts” laid with their structure and in “gifts” laid with the dead, some archaeologists see the dead, some archaeologists see therein an indication of social therein an indication of social differences. differences.

Gazelle Bones from al-Azraq Gazelle Bones from al-Azraq regionregion

Beginnings of AgricultureBeginnings of Agriculture??

Systematic agriculture will not be Systematic agriculture will not be practiced until the following Neolithic, but practiced until the following Neolithic, but

Archaeologist assume that this was the Archaeologist assume that this was the result of a long development, result of a long development,

And thus assume that people started And thus assume that people started practicing agriculture already in the practicing agriculture already in the Epipalaeolithic. Epipalaeolithic.

As can be demonstrated by the many tools As can be demonstrated by the many tools for processing food, that uncovered in the for processing food, that uncovered in the sites of this period, as in al-Himmeh 27. sites of this period, as in al-Himmeh 27.

. .

A Burial from al-Azraq region A Burial from al-Azraq region from the Epipalaeolithicfrom the Epipalaeolithic

Himmah 27: One of the oldest Himmah 27: One of the oldest VillagesVillages

Located in the Located in the northern Jordan northern Jordan Valley, Himmah 27 Valley, Himmah 27 is one of the is one of the earliest villages earliest villages world-wide. It goes world-wide. It goes back to around back to around 12500 years bp. 12500 years bp.

Himmah 27: The location and Himmah 27: The location and remains of buildingremains of building

Himmah 27: Remains of a Himmah 27: Remains of a buildingbuilding

2727وادي الحمة وادي الحمة

2727وتميز موقع "وادي الحمة وتميز موقع "وادي الحمة " "كذلك باألعمال الفنية كاألحجار كذلك باألعمال الفنية كاألحجار المنحوتة، والتي يعتقد أنها ذات المنحوتة، والتي يعتقد أنها ذات وظيفة دينية، أو ربما استخدمت وظيفة دينية، أو ربما استخدمت

للزخرفة ولتجميل البناء من الداخل،للزخرفة ولتجميل البناء من الداخل، وكذلك المناجل الصوانية التي وكذلك المناجل الصوانية التي

تميزت مقابضها العظمية بنحت تميزت مقابضها العظمية بنحت � الغزال، � الغزال، األشكال الحيوانية، غالبا األشكال الحيوانية، غالبا

على أطرافها البعيدة،على أطرافها البعيدة، ،كما ع�ثر على زبدية بزخارف غائرة، كما ع�ثر على زبدية بزخارف غائرة

ولوحة حجرية مزخرفة بزخارف ولوحة حجرية مزخرفة بزخارف محفورة بشكل غائر وفي داخلها محفورة بشكل غائر وفي داخلها

" ح�فرة صغيرة، ربما ح�فرت " ح�فرة صغيرة، ربما ح�فرت 6565"" بوساطة مثقب يدوي.بوساطة مثقب يدوي.

األدوات في وادي الحمةاألدوات في وادي الحمة 2727كما اشتهر موقع "وادي الحمة كما اشتهر موقع "وادي الحمة " "

بتصنيع األدوات البازلتية، التي بتصنيع األدوات البازلتية، التي استخدمت في طحن وجرش الحبوب.استخدمت في طحن وجرش الحبوب.

وقد جاءت األدوات الحجرية متنوعة وقد جاءت األدوات الحجرية متنوعةاألشكال واألحجام، وإن كانت المدقات األشكال واألحجام، وإن كانت المدقات ،� � واستخداما �، البازلتية هي األكثر شيوعا � واستخداما البازلتية هي األكثر شيوعا

إضافة للجواريش، والهاونات، والزبادي إضافة للجواريش، والهاونات، والزبادي الصغيرة.الصغيرة.

كما استخدم اإلنسان الناطوفي في كما استخدم اإلنسان الناطوفي في الموقع العظام في صناعة أدواته، الموقع العظام في صناعة أدواته،

خاصة المخارز، والخرز المصنوع من خاصة المخارز، والخرز المصنوع من فقرات أصابع أرجل الغزالن، ومن فقرات أصابع أرجل الغزالن، ومن العظام الرقيقة، وكذلك الداليات العظام الرقيقة، وكذلك الداليات

العظمية.العظمية. كما استخدم العظام في صناعة كما استخدم العظام في صناعة

األدوات المركبة خاصة المناجل األدوات المركبة خاصة المناجل الصوانية التي سبق ذكرها.الصوانية التي سبق ذكرها.

المدافن في وادي الحمةالمدافن في وادي الحمة

كما مارس اإلنسان الناطوفي الدفن، حيث ع�ثر كما مارس اإلنسان الناطوفي الدفن، حيث ع�ثرعلى مدافن جماعية، وضعت فيها المرفقات على مدافن جماعية، وضعت فيها المرفقات

الجنائزية المتنوعة، كما لوحظ وجود أثار حروق الجنائزية المتنوعة، كما لوحظ وجود أثار حروق على بعض العظام والجماجم.على بعض العظام والجماجم.