The Natufian Sites and the Emergence of Complex Foraging

Abstract

This interval is linked to fundamental changes in the adaptive evolution of prehistoric foragers in the Levant (Henry 1981, 1989a; Bar-Yosef and Belfer-Cohen 1989; Bar-Yosef and Valla 1991). With the Natufian we see a transition from a foraging strategy based upon high residential mobility and movement to resources (i.e., simple foraging) to one of reduced mobility where intensification and the logistical acquisition of resources (i.e., complex foraging) were common (Henry 1989a; Tchernov 1991). This transition appears to have been triggered by the intensive exploitation of plant foods, especially cereals, nuts, and legumes. The demographic and social consequences of the economic change were striking. Population growth at regional and community levels appears to have been associated with increased social complexity as indicated by social ranking along with enhanced artistic and ceremonial activities (Henry 1989a, 1991; BelferCohen 1991; Noy 1991).