Pollen Analysis: Environmental and Climatic Implications

Abstract

The results of the palynological study of samples from the archaeological deposits in southern Jordan allow for the reconstruction of specific “climatic moments” as dated by reference to temporally sensitive artifacts, stratigraphy, and chronometry. The interval under consideration stretches from the Levantine Mousterian through the Chalcolithic. While dominated by a generally arid setting, relatively humid phases were identified in early Upper Paleolithic (Early Ahmarian), early Epipaleolithic (Early Hamran), and late Epipaleolithic (Late Hamran and Early Natufian) times. Comparison with data from other settings in the Near East provides for certain region-wide correlations.