Survey of Prehistoric Sites, Wadi Araba, Southern Jordan

Abstract

A survey of the western flank of the southern Rift Valley, the Wadi Araba, revealed a low density of prehistoric sites stretching from Middle Palaeolithic to Chalcolithic periods. The investigation suggests that during most prehistoric periods the Rift served as a low-elevation seasonal refuge representing one segment of a settlement-procurement strategy based on transhumance within this mountainous region of southern Jordan. Also, the presence of Late Natufian and Late Neolithic occupations in low elevation, hyperarid settings challenges prevailing views that these occurred during exceptionally dry climatic episodes.