Eitan Tchernov

ESR dates for the hominid burial site of Qafzeh in Israel

Abstract Early modern hominids are found buried at the mouth of a cave at Qafzeh near Nazareth, Israel. They are associated with a Middle Paleolithic lithic industry. Previous dating of this site by TL analysis of burnt flint (Valladas et al., 1988) gave an age of 92 ± 5 kyr. We have now used the ESR method to date enamel of teeth of large mammals from the hominid-bearing layers. Assuming a constant rate of uptake of U through time by the teeth, we obtain an age of 115 ± 15 kyr. This is consistent with the TL results demonstrating early arrival of fully modern humans in Southwestern Asia.

Ecological character displacement in Saharo-Arabian Vulpes: outfoxing Bergmann's rule

The red fox, a widely distributed Holarctic carnivore, exhibits a temperature- and latitude-correlated size gradient in the Palaearctic region, but little change of size in the southern part of its range, in the Saharo-Arabian region, where it is sympatric with a smaller congener, Ruppells sand fox. The slope of the regression of red fox lower carnassial length against mean ambient temperature in the Saharo-Arabian region is very slight, and differs significantly from the slope in the allopatric zone. This deviation suggests ecological character displacement in the red fox in sympatry with its smaller congener. This hypothesis is enhanced by the existence of constant size ratios (1.18-1.21) between lower carnassial lengths of these two foxes throughout the Saharo-Arabian region, notwithstanding regional fluctuations in overall size. Moreover, in Israel, where the still smaller Blanfords fox exists, the ratios between the means for both lower carnassial length and condylo-basal length of the three sympatric species are remarkably constant. Condylo-basal length and canine diameter ratios between the red fox and Ruppells sand fox in the different localities studied, while displaying the same general pattern, are considerably less regular than ratios of lower carnassial lengths. We suggest that the length of the carnassials relates directly to the feeding habits of these species, and is therefore the suitable morphological character to use when studying ecological character displacement in this group. The length and shape of the skull is influenced by other functions, as well as by autecological factors. Correlating the size of the red fox with various latitude correlated variables (e.g., ambient temperature) should be accompanied by investigation of its size relationship with congeners.

ESR dating of the Neanderthal site, Kebara Cave, Israel

Abstract In 1985 a Neanderthal skeleton was found in the cave of Kebara in southern Mt. Carmel. Electron spin resonance (ESR) dates have been obtained on tooth enamel of gazelles found in layer X, just overlying the layer in which the skeleton was found. Assuming early uptake of uranium by the teeth, they yield an age of 60 ± 6 ka; assuming gradual, linear uptake of uranium yields an age of 64 ± 6 ka. Both age estimates are consistent with a previous estimate for the skeleton, based on TL dating of burnt flint, of 60 ± 4 ka.

THE ANATOMY AND RELATIONSHIPS OF HAASIOPHIS TERRASANCTUS, A FOSSIL SNAKE WITH WELL-DEVELOPED HIND LIMBS FROM THE MID-CRETACEOUS OF THE MIDDLE EAST

Abstract The fossil snake species Haasiophis terrasanctus Tchernov, Rieppel, Zaher, Polcyn, and Jacobs, 2000, from the early Upper Cretaceous of the Middle East, is described and illustrated, following a review of the current debate on snake relationships and origins. The description and discussion presented here adds important detail to the knowledge of this taxon and its phylogenetic significance beyond the limited account presented in the original description of Haasiophis. The species is remarkable in that it shows the skull of a relatively advanced (i.e., macrostomatan) snake, yet preserves well-developed hind limbs. The hind limb includes a femur, tibia, fibula, astragalus, calcaneum, distal tarsal four, and remains of four metatarsals and two phalanges. Haasiophis cannot be considered a juvenile specimen of Pachyrhachis. The implications of the presence of well-developed hind limbs in Haasiophis, Pachyrhachis, and Podophis for the cladistic analysis of the phylogenetic interrelationships of these fossil snakes is discussed. The presence of well-developed hind limbs in Pachyrhachis and Haasiophis also creates methodological problems for the cladistic analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of these fossil snakes. Scenarios of snake origins are reviewed and found to be deficient in the absence of a well-corroborated hypothesis of snake relationships within Squamata.

THE AFRO-ARABIAN COMPONENT IN THE LEVANTINE MAMMALIAN FAUNA—A SHORT BIOGEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

ABSTRACT The dramatic transformation of the southern Lev ant during the Miocene from a tropical domain into a southern province of the Palearctic region is what makes this region so interesting and focuses the attention of many scholars. Unfortunately, only partof those events can be traced in the fossil record. The great diversity of the southern Levantine biotas and its extreme biogeographical heterogeneity, the existence of animal species and human forms originating in distant biotic provinces, is primarily the product of the Afro-Eurasian Neogene-Quatemary biotic interchanges, resulting from the drawing up of the northern edge of the Afro-Arabian continent against the margin of the Eurasian continental body by subduction along the present Anatolian-Iranian tectonic suture line. The kaleidoscopic admixture of Palearctic, Paleotropic and Saharo-Arabo-Sindian elements changes constantly during the Neogene and the Quarternary periods, disposing now and then of a new biogeographical configuration. Indeed, ...

Body size diminution under domestication: Unconscious selection in primeval domesticates

Abstract The unique habitats that were created around permanent settlement sites encouraged certain animals to invade and rapidly colonize the newly opened anthropogenic niches. Most of the species became facultative or obligatory commensals, with extensive morphological and behavioral changes, and in a few cases, with full speciation taking place. The approach outlined here is based on the model of K- and r-selection, and favors the view that changes in body size (as well as other traits) observed in animals undergoing domestication were due to spontaneous morphogenetical responses to the special anthropogenic milieu. The observed reduction in body size of most domesticates is a function of changing reproductive strategies in the face of changes in selection pressures. It is suggested that changes in body size under domestication reflect a shift along the continuum from the selection for individual viability toward selection for higher reproductive rate. The shift in body size occurred as a response to the unique habitats that induced new conditions of food and water availability, relaxation in competition/predation pressures, low species diversity and hence low interspecific competition, but a significant increase in intraspecific competition due to the artificial decrease in the niche volume of each individual, by permitting higher population densities. The relieved selective pressures and high intrapopulation competition for resources associated with domestication set in motion a cyclical reaction of accelerated maturation, increased reproductive capacity with a tendency for larger litter sizes, and shortened generation time, leading tooverall size reduction in the population, and other traits connected with r-selection strategy.

The Faunal Sequence of the Southwest Asian Middle Paleolithic in Relation to Hominid Dispersal Events

A realistic appraisal of Southwest Asia during the late Middle and Upper Pleistocene is hampered by the difficulties involved in understanding two key issues. The first is the taxonomical position and phylogenetic relationship of Southwest Asian hominids and the correct sequence of their evolutionary events. The second issue is the biogeographical position of this region as a crossroads between two continents. Misinterpretation of the morphological, taxonomical, and evolutionary status of the southern Levantine hominids is essentially due to the inadequacy of the fossil record. Furthermore, the reliance on insecure stratigraphic frameworks, samples taken from undated layers, and non-matching radiometric methods have done little to provide clear insight into the real sequential biotic and anthropological events during this period in Southwest Asia. In particular, the difficulties of correlating the biotic changes with the geochronological and archaeological succession prevent the establishment of a more solid framework between the different chronologies, faunal turnovers, and anthropological events. A central question in archeobiology is whether a causal relationship exists between cultural events and environmental changes. This question is magnified with respect to Southwest Asia, a region where the climatic fluctuations were relatively mild but where significant socioeconomic transformations and hominid interchanges took place during the Quaternary. One of the most conspicuous yet highly debatable events in Southwest Asia concerns the emergence of anatomically modern humans and Neandertals. During recent years, a sufficient amount of anthropological evidence has been accumulated to indicate that each of the two types of humans probably occupied the region, either alternatively or sympatrically: Proto-Cro-Magnons and Western Asian Neandertals. At present, the main disagreements concern the dating of the fossils, the definition of the various morphotypes

Netiv Hagdud: An Early Neolithic Village Site in the Jordan Valley

AbstractNetiv Hagdud is an Early Neolithic village site in the Lower Jordan Valley. Systematic excavations exposed a 500-sqm surface, which included several oval and circular houses. Carbonized plant remains, animal bones, and a wealth of lithic assemblages were the primary materials recovered from the houses and the fill. The seeds indicate that barley cultivation was practiced, along with the continuous gathering of wild fruits and seeds. Gazelle hunting and trapping of migratory waterfowl provided the major meat sources. Evidence concerning distribution of subsistence activities indicates that the site was occupied during at least nine months each year. Domestic activities are expressed in a variety of grinding and pounding tools, a few bone objects, and numerous flint tools. The lithic industry, classified as Sultanian, is characterized by the presence of Khiam points, sickle blades, and tranchet (Tahunian) axes, and is similar to that uncovered in Jericho. Flexed burials, the removal of adult skulls,...

Miocene mammals of the Negev (Israel)

ABSTRACT The early Miocene deposits of the Rotem and Yeroham basins in the Negev district of Israel have yielded 19 taxa of fossil mammals, of which two are new species: Gazella negevensis (Bovidae) and cf. Anasinopa haasi (Creodonta, Hyaenodontidae). This is the only early Miocene record of vertebrates from the southern Levant, with many typically African taxa including: Prodeinotherium sp., cf. Canthumeryx syrtensis, Dorcatherium cf. D. pigotti, Dorcatherium cf. D. chappuisi, Megapedetes cf. M. pentadactylus, Kenyalagomys sp., Crocodylus cf. C. pigotti, and Lates sp. (Teleostei). Owing to a quasi-spatial isolation of Gebel Zelten (Libya), Gebel Moghara (Egypt), Rusinga, Songhor (and others in East Africa), Bugti Hills (Pakistan) and the Negev, for which a general contemporaneity is suggested, endemism in these sites is relatively high, reflecting their different environments rather than heterochroneity. Hence similarity between these remote and rapidly changing regions was mainly based on congeneric lev...

ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS AND THE FOSSIL FAUNAS OF THE NATUFIAN AND MICROLITHIC INDUSTRIES AT HAYONIM CAVE (WESTERN GALILEE, ISRAEL)

ABSTRACT Description is given of two prehistoric cultures and the fossil faunas, excavated from a new prehistoric site, known as Hayonim cave, located in the northern part of Israel (western Galilee). In the first part the work deals with the lithic assemblages found up till now; the Natufian and the Microlithic industries. Older lithic industries are to be found in deeper layers. The rich fossil documentation is demonstrated in the second part. Both the fauna and the archaeological finds substantiate the hypothesis that the Natufians were long-term inhabitants of the area, as opposed to the earlier (Microlithic industry) population of hunters and food gatherers. No proof has yet been found for food production, so that it must be assumed that the Natufians here, as in the rest of the country, were specialized hunters, fishers and food gatherers. From the animal remains interpretations are drawn about the different biotopes that coexisted in the surroundings of the cave at that time. The types of biotopes ...