Natufian culture

Definition

The Natufian culture refers to a prehistoric society that existed around 12,500 to 9,500 BCE in the Levant region, particularly modern-day Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon. This culture is significant as it represents a transitional phase between hunting-gathering and the beginning of agriculture, illustrating the shift that would eventually lead to the Neolithic Revolution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Natufian culture is characterized by the establishment of some of the earliest known semi-sedentary communities, where people began to settle near sources of water and food.
2. The Natufians utilized advanced stone tools, including microliths, which were small, sharp blades that were likely used for hunting and processing plants.
3. They practiced a form of early plant management by collecting wild grains like barley and wheat, laying the groundwork for future agricultural practices.
4. Archaeological evidence suggests that Natufians engaged in social activities beyond subsistence, including burial rituals and art, indicating complex societal structures.
5. The end of the Natufian culture coincided with environmental changes at the end of the last Ice Age, which pushed them towards more permanent forms of agriculture.

Review Questions

• How did the Natufian culture reflect a transition from hunter-gatherer societies to sedentary agricultural communities?
  • The Natufian culture exemplifies this transition through its development of semi-permanent settlements that emerged near water sources and abundant wild food supplies. By establishing these settlements, Natufians moved away from strictly nomadic lifestyles and began managing their environment, particularly by gathering wild grains. This shift laid critical foundations for the Neolithic Revolution by showcasing early signs of sedentism and plant management.
• Analyze the impact of environmental changes on the Natufian culture and their subsequent move towards agriculture.
  • Environmental changes at the end of the last Ice Age significantly affected the Natufian culture, leading to shifts in climate that impacted available resources. These changes prompted Natufians to adapt their lifestyle from relying solely on foraging to experimenting with early agriculture. As they faced challenges in obtaining food from wild sources, their reliance on cultivated plants increased, marking a key development towards fully established agricultural practices in later societies.
• Evaluate the significance of archaeological findings related to the Natufian culture in understanding human prehistory.
  • Archaeological findings related to the Natufian culture are crucial for understanding human prehistory as they provide insights into early social structures, technological advancements, and subsistence strategies. The evidence of burial practices and art indicates that Natufians had complex social behaviors and beliefs. Moreover, their innovative use of stone tools and initial steps towards agriculture show how human societies began to adapt and evolve in response to changing environments, setting the stage for future developments in civilization.

Related terms

Neolithic Revolution: The Neolithic Revolution marks the period when human societies transitioned from nomadic lifestyles based on hunting and gathering to settled agricultural communities.

Sedentism: Sedentism is the practice of living in one place for a long time, which is a key feature of Natufian culture as they began to establish semi-permanent settlements.

Foraging: Foraging refers to the act of searching for and gathering wild food resources, which was a primary subsistence strategy for the Natufians before they adopted agriculture.