Ancient and Modern Pastoral Migration in the Levant

Abstract

In 1971 I proposed a considerable modification of this view (Prag 1971, 1974), pointing to the continuity in pottery traditions between the EBA and the EB.MB periods (previously recognized by others), and fresh evidence for a rather more sedentary agricultural economy. I suggested that Palestine, like Egypt and Mesopotamia between the twenty-fourth and twentyfirst centuries B.C., was subject to nomadic infiltration. I thought that relatively small influxes of semi-nomadic newcomers from inland Syria c. 2350 B.C., who mingled with the existing indigenous Palestinian population, might accord with the archaeological data, rather better than the idea of an overwhelming nomadic invasion. Thereafter, as there seemed to be clear continuity throughout the EB.MB period, an archaeologically discernible second phase of Syrian contact was probably the result of influences 'penetrating to Palestine, rather than further migration. Thus, for rather different reasons, I also saw the period as a separate archaeological horizon distinct from the EBA, but with a large degree of cultural and population continuity both from the preceding Early Bronze Age (EBA) and to the succeeding Middle Bronze Age (MBA). In 1980 Richard proposed, on the rather limited basis of pottery shape analysis, that the continuity in ceramics during the last centuries of the third millenium was such that it pointed to a purely internal development, or rather degeneration, within Palestine, with no invasion, migration or population movement from Syria (Richard 1980). But she also proposed two similarly dated phases of Syrian influence to account for the archaeological evidence of contact, both derived from the border zones of contact in the area of south Syria that I had previously defined. This influence was effective during a period of decline and regression from urbanism to semi-nomadism, and the social changes were due very largely (she believes) to the effects of drought. She followed Kenyon, Dever and others in the view that there was a complete break with the succeeding MBA, and preferred to define the last centuries of the third millennium as an archaeologically continuous but debased horizon within the EBA, called EB IV, thus turning away from. the frequently used MB I terminology. The analysis of ceramics has been one of the approaches which conclusively proves population continuity as an important factor at the end of EB III. The links between EB and EB.MB ceramics are not those of a remote common ancestry as suggested by Kenyon, but show continuity and development of shape, surface treatment and function, as I pointed out in 1971 and 1974. There is no need to argue this position· further. That there are also new factors which reflect the influence of inland Syria also has fairly general agreement. But from pottery and other comparisons we can, at present, only say that Syrian innovations in the twenty-fourth century are sufficient to indicate migration-why should the locals adopt so many new fashions from inland Syria at a time of decline?but Richard thinks not. These are relatively subjective judgments by both of us, and not conclusive evidence