Abstract
AbstractWF16 is an early Neolithic settlement in southern Jordan with a large bird bone assemblage (Number of Identified Specimens [NISP] = 7808), representing 18 families. We explore how the birds were utilized by considering cut marks and body part representation for each of the families represented, also drawing on the experimental skinning of buzzards, the most common bird in the assemblage. We conclude that the bird bones accumulated from a mix of activities including the exploitation of a seasonally abundant supply of migratory birds for food; the acquisition of skins, feathers and talons for decorative, symbolic and practical purposes; and the trapping of wildfowl and gamebirds as a supplementary food source to large mammals.
Highlights
Avian assemblages from Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene settlements of SW Asia provide insights into the economic, social, and symbolic activities of human communities during a period of environmental change and the transition from hunting and gathering to farming
We explore how the birds were utilized by considering cut marks and body part representation for each of the families represented, drawing on the experimental skinning of buzzards, the most common bird in the assemblage
We build on this research by considering the utilization of birds at the early Neolithic settlement of WF16 in southern Jordan, dating to between 11.84 and 10.24 Ka BP, with a peak of activity at 11.20 Ka BP (Mithen et al, 2018, Figure 1)
Summary
Avian assemblages from Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene settlements of SW Asia provide insights into the economic, social, and symbolic activities of human communities during a period of environmental change and the transition from hunting and gathering to farming. We build on this research by considering the utilization of birds at the early Neolithic settlement of WF16 in southern Jordan, dating to between 11.84 and 10.24 Ka BP, with a peak of activity at 11.20 Ka BP (Mithen et al, 2018, Figure 1). The Accipitridae family dominate, accounting for 89.19% of identifiable bones (Number of Identified Specimens [NISP] = 6964) with at least 20 species of eagles, vultures, harriers, kite, sparrowhawk, and buzzards represented. The Eurasian/steppe buzzard is by far the most abundant accounting for 63.19% of all Accipitridae (NISP = 4401). Phasianidae is the second largest family accounting for 3.93% (NISP = 307) of the identified material with the resident, ground dwelling chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) most frequent (NISP = 254) and the sand partridge (Ammoperdix heyi) and quail (Coturnix coturnix) making up the remainder. The third largest family at 0.97% is Threskiornithidae which
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