A grid-like incised pattern inside a Natufian bedrock mortar, Raqefet Cave, Israel

Authors

  • Dani Nadel University of Haifa
  • Danny Rosenberg University of Haifa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2218/jls.v3i3.1467

Keywords:

Natufian, incised patterns, bedrock mortars, ground stone tools, Raqefet Cave

Abstract

[Report]

Bedrock features are a hallmark of the Natufian (ca. 15,000-11,500 cal BP) in the southern Levant and beyond and they include a large variety of types, from deep variants to shallow ones and from narrow mortars to wide basins. They are usually interpreted as food preparation facilities, associated with Natufian intensification of cereal and acorn consumption. However, inside the shaft of one deep narrow Natufian mortar at the entrance to Raqefet Cave (Mt. Carmel, Israel), we found a set of grid-like incisions accompanied by irregular lines. This pattern is similar in the general impression and the details of execution to incised stone slabs and objects found in other Natufian sites. As in several other Natufian objects, the incised patterns were hardly visible at the time, due to their light appearance and concealed location. The engraving act and symbolic meaning of the contents were likely more important than the display of the results. Furthermore, the Raqefet mortar was incorporated in a structured complex that also included a slab pavement and a boulder mortar. Thus, the complex motif, the specific feature it was carved on (inside a deep mortar), the associated features, and the location at the entrance to a burial cave all suggest an elaborate ceremonial and symbolic system.

Author Biographies

  • Dani Nadel, University of Haifa

    Zinman Institute of Archaeology
    University of Haifa
    Mount Carmel
    3498898 Haifa
    Israel

  • Danny Rosenberg, University of Haifa

    Laboratory for Ground Stone Tools Research
    Zinman Institute of Archaeology
    University of Haifa
    Mount Carmel
    3498898 Haifa
    Israel

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Published

31-Oct-2016

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Presented at the 1st Meeting of the Association for Ground Stone Tools Research

How to Cite

A grid-like incised pattern inside a Natufian bedrock mortar, Raqefet Cave, Israel. (2016). Journal of Lithic Studies, 3(3), 337-257. https://doi.org/10.2218/jls.v3i3.1467