Document of bibliographic reference 340032

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Journal article

BibLvlCode

AS

Title

Exceptional shell depositions at PPNB Yiftahel

Abstract

Shells found at the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B site of Yiftahel reflect various aspects of the cultic, social, and economic life at the site. Taxonomically, the assemblage is typical to sites in the Mediterranean climatic zone, dominated by Mediterranean bivalves with several local gastropods and a few specimens originating from the Red Sea. This composition reflects the community's observation of local norms as well as their participation in wide-ranging regional interaction networks with remote populations. Shells were found across the site, yet several exceptional contexts of shell deposition shed light on specific shell-related behaviours practiced on-site. A shell cache, unique in the PPNB, was found in an open courtyard of a public building, possibly related to both ritualistic as well as socio-economic aspects of life at Yiftahel. Shells were also found embedded in the eye-sockets of three plastered skulls found at the site, demonstrating the incorporation of shells in the cultic life of the community, as well as nuances of this practice in the region. Shells were found to have had multiple significant meanings and community-wide roles in many aspects of life at Yiftahel.

WebOfScience code

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000661920500001

Bibliographic citation

Schechter, H.C.; Getzov, N.; Khalaily, H.; Milevski, I.; Goring-Morris, A.N.; Bar-Yosef Mayer, D.E. (2021). Exceptional shell depositions at PPNB Yiftahel. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 37: 102944. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.102944

Topic

Marine

Fresh water

Is peer reviewed

true