Ḥilazon Taḥtit Cave

IDENTIFICATION

Ḥilazon Taḥtit Cave is located on the bank of Naḥal Ḥilazon in the western Galilee, some 14 km from the Mediterranean shoreline. The mouth of the cave faces east and is situated at the foot of a limestone cliff, c. 120 m above the stream. The dome-shaped cave was formed by karstic activity that dissolved the hard limestone of an eroded shelf of the Yanuch Formation of the Upper Cenomanian Age. The interior surface of the cave is c. 100 sq m, with no evidence of a front terrace.

In June 1994, T. D. Berger and H. Khalaily conducted a surface collection on the colluvial slope immediately below the cave. The lithics contained Mousterian, Kebaran, and Natufian artifacts. In 1995, under the co-direction of T. D. Berger (University of New Mexico) and L. Grosman (Hebrew University of Jerusalem), the first season was spent cleaning the detritus and historical deposits, as well as excavating several test trenches to locate the extent of the prehistoric sediments. Natufian artifacts were found in a trench under the ashy historical accumulations. Since then, L. Grosman has conducted three additional field seasons at the site (1997, 2000, and 2001).

EXCAVATIONS

An area of 44 sq m was systematically excavated in the large chamber of the cave, exposing two main stratigraphic units. Layer A, about 1.5 m thick, contained mainly goat dung and ash, and resulted from the prolonged herding activity in the area, which began, judging by sparse pottery fragments, in Byzantine times. Layer B, 0.3–0.9 m thick, contained Natufian remains. Represented in its uppermost level by a dark “greasy” layer, layer B is present in three distinct locations: shallow accumulations on the bedrock near the cave walls, pockets of sediments beneath fallen rocks that tumbled due to Holocene tectonic activities in the region, and a basin-like central depression containing sporadic remnants of breccia. Around these remains, bedrock was found immediately below layer A. Three uncalibrated radiocarbon dates from layer B produced dates of 10,750±50 bp (RTT 3760), 10,530±50 (RTT 4592), and 10,770±50 (RTT 4593), supporting the observation that layer B is of the Late Natufian period.

EXCAVATION RESULTS

STRUCTURAL REMAINS. Although Ḥilazon Taḥtit Cave is much smaller than the average base camp, two small structures (c. 1.5 m in diameter) built from undressed limestone cobbles were uncovered, similar to those found at the base-camp sites of Hayonim Cave and Mallaḥa (‘Enan). Structure A is semi-circular and was built with large stones that follow the natural line of the bedrock. An artificial oval cut into the breccia formed an inner basin within the structure. Structure B also consists of the local bedrock and a series of undressed stones. In the center of each structure is a large stone slab. The two structures are too small to have served for habitation.

HUMAN REMAINS. A unique mortuary practice is in evidence at Ḥilazon Taḥtit, where both primary and secondary burials were uncovered in two different locations. It is the first site to yield such a full range of Natufian burial practices. At the top of layer B, the excavation exposed the burial of an individual lying directly on large stones between structures A and B. The skeleton is of a young adult (sex unknown) reposed on its right side in a flexed position with both hands under its face—a common position for Natufian burials. Unfortunately, many of the bones are missing, probably due to later disturbances. The scattered bones of a newborn were found in the area of the missing pelvis and it seems that the newborn was buried with the young adult.

A collective burial was uncovered in the lower portion of layer B in the inner part of the cave, occupying an area of 6 sq m to a depth of 50 cm. The collective burial comprises several individuals (preliminarily estimated at eight) representing different age groups (adults, adolescents, children, and infants). A few observations reveal the nature of the burials: (1) The bones of several hands and feet were still in articulation. Since the tendons of the hands and feet are typically among the first articulations to decay, this can be used as an indication of primary burial. (2) Bones appearing to belong to one individual, according to size and age estimates, were all found in close proximity. (3) Given the number of buried individuals, many bones are missing, especially long bones and skulls. Therefore, it appears that this collective grave served as a primary burial ground that was later reopened, and skulls and long bones (skeletal parts that are usually found in secondary burials) were removed. Such secondary burials, consisting primarily of long bones and skulls, were uncovered in both the oval basin cut into the breccia in structure A and in the pit inside structure B.

ANIMAL BONES. The overall state of bone preservation at the site is quite good, as indicated by the abundance of delicate avian bones. Mammalian remains bear signs of attrition and damage, which according to the taphonomic evidence (e.g., cutmarks, cone fractures, and fragment size) were caused by human activities such as processing and trampling rather than by natural processes of decomposition. A variety of species, in particular gazelle and tortoise, were transported to the cave by humans, and were clearly butchered for meat. Preliminary analysis indicates great similarity to the faunal assemblage from the Late Natufian occupation at Hayonim Cave.

LITHICS, GROUNDSTONE AND BONE OBJECTS. The sample of c. 6,000 artifacts demonstrates the relatively low concentration of c. 200 lithics per cubic meter with a high ratio of one to four for tools to debitage items. The flint artifacts are generally small and seem to have been knapped from flint pebbles that were brought into the cave from the streambed below. Microliths comprise 40 percent of the 834 identified tools. The non-geometric microliths are by far the most abundant tool class, accounting for 30 percent (246) of the tools, of which the bulk belongs to the group of abruptly retouched bladelets. The geometric component comprises c. 10 percent of the tool assemblage, of which c. 80 percent are lunates and c. 20 percent triangles. Most of the macrolithic categories are present in low frequencies, except for the “retouched pieces” (18.6 percent) and the “retouched notches” (15.1 percent). There are 50 backed blades, 19 (2.4 percent) of which may be classified as sickle blades due to their visible sheen. According to established criteria for the relative chronological subdivision of the Natufian culture, the Ḥilazon Taḥtit Cave assemblage, characterized by the dominance of backed short lunates (average length 16.4 mm, with a standard deviation of 2.1 mm) and the absence of Helwan retouch, is to be associated with the late phase of the Late Natufian.

Groundstone objects, 19 in number, were also common at Ḥilazon Taḥtit Cave, and include mullers, pestles, and a mortar with red ochre stains covering its inner surface. Twenty-nine bone tools were recovered, including awls, points, and one perforated needle. Distinctive natural stone objects were also collected, most likely due to their aesthetic value. These items, six in number, were found in the “collective burial” area and may have belonged to the buried individuals. They appear to be unmodified, except for a fossil flint pebble with some fine distal retouch.

Recovered ornaments consist mainly of beads made of shells, which most likely originated from the Mediterranean Sea. The most common are dentalia shells, found in the “collective burial” area. The tips of the dentalia, which were cut during the manufacture of the ornaments, are present in the cave, indicating that the beads were made on site (D. E. Bar-Yosef Mayer, personal communication). A unique pendant made from the lower carnassial tooth of a canid was found in the interior of structure A, very close to two human bones. The pendant is of considerable interest in view of the claims that the earliest domestication of the dog took place during the Natufian period.

SUMMARY

The location of the small Ḥilazon Taḥtit Cave—atop a steep, high escarpment with an excellent view of the valley opening onto the Coastal Plain—is of interest, and suggests that the site had a specific function. While it served as a camp for short-term hunting forays, it was also used as a burial ground. When compared to other small Natufian sites, Ḥilazon Taḥtit Cave stands apart. Despite its small size, it contains all of the characteristics of Natufian base camps, suggesting that it was a diminutive version of one. Its burial practices link the Natufian tradition with the burial practices of the early Neolithic villages in the Jordan Valley.

LEORE GROSMAN

IDENTIFICATION

Ḥilazon Taḥtit Cave is located on the bank of Naḥal Ḥilazon in the western Galilee, some 14 km from the Mediterranean shoreline. The mouth of the cave faces east and is situated at the foot of a limestone cliff, c. 120 m above the stream. The dome-shaped cave was formed by karstic activity that dissolved the hard limestone of an eroded shelf of the Yanuch Formation of the Upper Cenomanian Age. The interior surface of the cave is c. 100 sq m, with no evidence of a front terrace.

In June 1994, T. D. Berger and H. Khalaily conducted a surface collection on the colluvial slope immediately below the cave. The lithics contained Mousterian, Kebaran, and Natufian artifacts. In 1995, under the co-direction of T. D. Berger (University of New Mexico) and L. Grosman (Hebrew University of Jerusalem), the first season was spent cleaning the detritus and historical deposits, as well as excavating several test trenches to locate the extent of the prehistoric sediments. Natufian artifacts were found in a trench under the ashy historical accumulations. Since then, L. Grosman has conducted three additional field seasons at the site (1997, 2000, and 2001).