Rivka Rabinovich | The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (original) (raw)
Papers by Rivka Rabinovich
Geoarchaeology-an International Journal, Feb 1, 1999
An Early Paleolithic site was recently discovered within a sequence of paleosols in the Revadim Q... more An Early Paleolithic site was recently discovered within a sequence of paleosols in the Revadim Quarry, central coastal plain of Israel. The section is composed of three superimposed soils in a continuous sequence, but separated by two unconformity surfaces. The uppermost paleosol is a modern Dark Brown Grumusol (Vertisol), the middle is a Quartzic Gray Brown Soil (Haploxeralf), and the lower is a Red Hamra (Rhodoxeralf). Normal magnetic polarity was detected in the two lower soils, indicating that they are younger than the Brunhes-Matuyama boundary (Ͻ780 ka). A human occupation bed, enriched in secondary carbonate nodules, forms the lower part of the Quartzic Gray Brown Soil and overlies the Red Hamra. The living floor is located on top of the unconformity surface, separating the Red Hamra from the overlying Quartzic Gray Brown Soil. Middle to Late Acheulian handaxes, choppers, cores, and flake tools, including tools made by the Levallois technique, and man-laid flint pebbles were excavated in the human occupation bed. In addition, two elephant tusks, an elephant pelvis, an elephant tooth (Palaeoloxodon antiquus), tusk splinters, and bones of equid, suid, cervid, bovid, felid, and rodents were also collected. Based on well-documented nearby boreholes and on regional correlation, it appears that the underlying dune sands, the parent materials from which the Red Hamra developed, were deposited probably during a phase of high-stand sea level of Isotope Stage 9. The Red Hamra developed simultaneously with the human occupation of the site, probably during a phase of low-stand sea-level of Isotope Stage 8, before some 300-245 ka. The overlying dune sands, the parent materials from which the Quartzic Gray Brown Soil developed, were deposited probably during a phase of high-stand sea level of Isotope Stage 7. The climate prevailing in the area during Stage 8, as well as during the human habitation, was moist, with a dense vegetation cover of grassland and probably scattered trees. A small lake of trapped fresh water at a junction of two small tributaries of the Soreq River drainage system near the area occupied was available to hominids and animals.
Journal of Human Evolution, Apr 1, 2011
This study investigates faunal remains from the site of Gesher Benot Ya&a... more This study investigates faunal remains from the site of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov, analyzing how hominins may have utilized vertebrates and exploring paleoenvironments during the Early and Middle Pleistocene. Based on analyses of a range of vertebrates, results show that the species distribution of terrestrial vertebrates (microvertebrates and mammals) at the site of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov shows relative stasis above the Matuyama-Brunhes Boundary (MBB) (0.78 Ma). However, consistency in faunal remains at the site reflecting stasis does not seem to reflect accurately the paleoenvironment. Marked changes are demonstrable in the lake-margin sedimentary background, archaeological remains, and agents of accumulation and damage, as well as in the density of medium-large mammals. This study emphasizes the significance of studying assemblages as a whole rather than the species representation on its own.
Jerusalem Journal of Archaeology
An inscription in early Canaanite script from Lachish, incised on an ivory comb, is presented. Th... more An inscription in early Canaanite script from Lachish, incised on an ivory comb, is presented. The 17 letters, in early pictographic style, form seven words expressing a plea against lice.
Journal of the Israel prehistoric society, 2004
This paper reports on the excavation seasons 2000 and 2001 at Eynan (Ain Mallaha) in the Upper Jo... more This paper reports on the excavation seasons 2000 and 2001 at Eynan (Ain Mallaha) in the Upper Jordan Valley. In addition, an attempt is made to provide an overview of the analysis conducted by the authors in their different spheres of expertise. Field work concentrated mainly on Final Natufian deposits, but an endeavour to clarify stratigraphie discrepancies in earlier layers led to recognition of a formerly unknown occupation from the Early Epi-paleolithic. During the course of this research graves from the Early or Late Natufian episode were uncovered. The two main phases of building activity distinguished in the Final Natufian layer during the season 1996-1999 are now known as Ib2 (lower) and lbl (upper). Two 14 C dates ca. 10,500 BP uncalibrated were obtained for Ib2. It appears that each of the uncovered buildings, whatever the phase, went through a complicated history. As had been suspected, not every building served as a "house". It seems now possible to reconstruct a kind of "ideal model" followed by Final Natufian ho use makers at the site. Accordingly, at least one of the excavated building first intended for an unknown purpose was then converted into a house. More Final Natufian graves were excavated. They confirm that people were usually buried individually, often in hypercontracted position. Samples of flint and animal bones collected in the stony layer lb were analysed for the sake of comparisons with refuses originating from living floors, previously processed. Despite minor differences, the assemblages are very similar. Such finding will have to be understood in the frame of a broader study of Natufian behavior at the site. A study of bird remains confirms the conclusion from former work by Pichon in showing that Final Natufian hunters chose to search for waterfowl, which they ate. The coot is the main game.
PLOS ONE, 2022
The submerged site of Ohalo II was occupied during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), between 23,500... more The submerged site of Ohalo II was occupied during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), between 23,500–22,500 cal BP, bridging the Upper Paleolithic/Epipaleolithic transition in the southern Levant. The site is known for the excellent preservation of its brush huts and botanical remains. This study examines the behavior of its past inhabitants through analysis of the entire faunal assemblage found on the three successive floors of Brush Hut 1. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity to test differing models of prey choice and assess whether the observed resource diversification is the result of resource depression (explained by Optimal Foraging Theory) or resource abundance (explained by Niche Construction Theory). We focused on a quantitative, qualitative and spatial investigation of the more than 20,000 faunal remains, combining traditional zooarchaeological methods with microwear analysis of teeth and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) of burnt bones. Identification of fau...
Archaeological sites, location, radiometric and cultural dating and ancient DNA results for the 9... more Archaeological sites, location, radiometric and cultural dating and ancient DNA results for the 99 ancient dogs analyzed in this study
Confidence intervals (according to Simon's method) of observed frequencies of Hg D in Europe ... more Confidence intervals (according to Simon's method) of observed frequencies of Hg D in Europe and Southeastern Europe, before and during/after the neolithization
Ancient Dog population structure for five regions of Eurasia for pre-Neolithic period and during/... more Ancient Dog population structure for five regions of Eurasia for pre-Neolithic period and during/after the Neolithic transition
More than Meets the Eye, 2017
Journal of Human Evolution, 2020
Situated at the crossroads of Africa and Eurasia, the Levant is a crucial region for understandin... more Situated at the crossroads of Africa and Eurasia, the Levant is a crucial region for understanding the origins and spread of Upper Paleolithic (UP) traditions associated with the spread of modern humans. Of the two local Early Upper Paleolithic technocomplexes, the Ahmarian and the Levantine Aurignacian, the latter appears to be unique in the endemic UP sequence, exhibiting greater similarity to the West European 'classic' Aurignacian than to the local preceding and proceeding UP entities. Previous publications have mostly focused on the similarities between the two lithic industries and less on studies conducted on Levantine Aurignacian bone tools and ornaments. Here, we present an archaeozoological, technological and use-wear study of ornaments on animal teeth from the Levantine Aurignacian layers at Manot and Hayonim caves (the Galilee, Israel). The selection of taxa, the choice of teeth, the mode of modification, and the use-wear analysis exhibit clear similarities with the European Aurignacian. This, with the technology of the osseous raw material exploitation, the presence of antler simple-base points, and some lithic typotechnological features, suggest a link between the symbolic spheres of the Levantine and the European Aurignacian cultural entities. Such similarity also supports some contribution of European Aurignacians groups to the local cultural entities, intermingling with the local material culture features.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2020
The Final Natufian level Ib from Eynan/Ain Mallaha provided a large and diversified assemblage of... more The Final Natufian level Ib from Eynan/Ain Mallaha provided a large and diversified assemblage of ungulates used here to study the seasonality of game procurement. The objective of this study was to evaluate the advantage of combining two methods, dental eruption and wear, and tooth microwear. Tooth microwear results allowed us to confirm the seasonality of procurement of red and roe deer and to narrow down its duration for the gazelle and the fallow deer. Game procurement occurred throughout the year for the roe deer. Red deer were hunted in spring and summer, and gazelle in late autumn-early winter. This approach allowed us to improve the accuracy of seasonality estimates and to increase sample size by using the entire population (young and adult individuals) for each species. The few individuals that were analysed with the two methods also permitted us to characterize the diet of the population at the time of death.
The SYNTHESYS consortium has been operational since 2004, and has facilitated physical access by ... more The SYNTHESYS consortium has been operational since 2004, and has facilitated physical access by individual researchers to European natural history collections through its Transnational Access programme (TA). For the first time, SYNTHESYS+ will be offering
Quaternary International, 2020
Abstract The Plio-Pleistocene fossil rhinoceroses of Eurasia are relatively well known, although ... more Abstract The Plio-Pleistocene fossil rhinoceroses of Eurasia are relatively well known, although their taxonomy and phylogeny are still debated. The fossil rhinoceros material collected at the Bethlehem site during the first half of the 20th century is revised and re-described. Based on morphological comparison of the Bethlehem material with the latest Miocene, Pliocene and Early Pleistocene Eurasian and African species, the specimens are assigned as Rhinocerotini indet., Dihoplus sp. and 'Dihoplus' bethlehemsis sp. nov. The comparison revealed that the studied material displays more features in common with the genus Dihoplus than with the genus Stephanorhinus. Tooth microwear analysis revealed that the diet of Bethlehem rhinoceros was probably composed of leaves of trees, bushes, or part of dicots. The new species could be one of the latest representatives of the Miocene genus Dihoplus that survived in Eurasia until the end of the Pliocene. Thus again the site of Bethlehem being unique in its biogeographically setting, provides novel understanding of the ‘Levantine Corridor’ dispersal route.
Current Anthropology, 2019
The appearance of art as a constant component of human culture is attributed to several Upper Pal... more The appearance of art as a constant component of human culture is attributed to several Upper Paleolithic traditions. The record of earlier artistic manifestations is rather scanty and chronogeographically varied, although crucial for studies of human behavioral evolution. Here we describe an engraved bone from the Middle Paleolithic site of Quneitra, depicting an image similar to that of another artwork found in the same layer. The results of the comparative study indicate that the two artworks from Quneitra share a unique quality of illusion—artistic manipulations that create optical effects described as the “complementary effect.” These artistic manipulations articulate cognitive properties of the human mind at large and can be explained through the prism of the Gestalt principles of perception. The results of this study suggest that illusion is part and parcel of artistic creation from its beginnings.
Geoarchaeology-an International Journal, Feb 1, 1999
An Early Paleolithic site was recently discovered within a sequence of paleosols in the Revadim Q... more An Early Paleolithic site was recently discovered within a sequence of paleosols in the Revadim Quarry, central coastal plain of Israel. The section is composed of three superimposed soils in a continuous sequence, but separated by two unconformity surfaces. The uppermost paleosol is a modern Dark Brown Grumusol (Vertisol), the middle is a Quartzic Gray Brown Soil (Haploxeralf), and the lower is a Red Hamra (Rhodoxeralf). Normal magnetic polarity was detected in the two lower soils, indicating that they are younger than the Brunhes-Matuyama boundary (Ͻ780 ka). A human occupation bed, enriched in secondary carbonate nodules, forms the lower part of the Quartzic Gray Brown Soil and overlies the Red Hamra. The living floor is located on top of the unconformity surface, separating the Red Hamra from the overlying Quartzic Gray Brown Soil. Middle to Late Acheulian handaxes, choppers, cores, and flake tools, including tools made by the Levallois technique, and man-laid flint pebbles were excavated in the human occupation bed. In addition, two elephant tusks, an elephant pelvis, an elephant tooth (Palaeoloxodon antiquus), tusk splinters, and bones of equid, suid, cervid, bovid, felid, and rodents were also collected. Based on well-documented nearby boreholes and on regional correlation, it appears that the underlying dune sands, the parent materials from which the Red Hamra developed, were deposited probably during a phase of high-stand sea level of Isotope Stage 9. The Red Hamra developed simultaneously with the human occupation of the site, probably during a phase of low-stand sea-level of Isotope Stage 8, before some 300-245 ka. The overlying dune sands, the parent materials from which the Quartzic Gray Brown Soil developed, were deposited probably during a phase of high-stand sea level of Isotope Stage 7. The climate prevailing in the area during Stage 8, as well as during the human habitation, was moist, with a dense vegetation cover of grassland and probably scattered trees. A small lake of trapped fresh water at a junction of two small tributaries of the Soreq River drainage system near the area occupied was available to hominids and animals.
Journal of Human Evolution, Apr 1, 2011
This study investigates faunal remains from the site of Gesher Benot Ya&a... more This study investigates faunal remains from the site of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov, analyzing how hominins may have utilized vertebrates and exploring paleoenvironments during the Early and Middle Pleistocene. Based on analyses of a range of vertebrates, results show that the species distribution of terrestrial vertebrates (microvertebrates and mammals) at the site of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov shows relative stasis above the Matuyama-Brunhes Boundary (MBB) (0.78 Ma). However, consistency in faunal remains at the site reflecting stasis does not seem to reflect accurately the paleoenvironment. Marked changes are demonstrable in the lake-margin sedimentary background, archaeological remains, and agents of accumulation and damage, as well as in the density of medium-large mammals. This study emphasizes the significance of studying assemblages as a whole rather than the species representation on its own.
Jerusalem Journal of Archaeology
An inscription in early Canaanite script from Lachish, incised on an ivory comb, is presented. Th... more An inscription in early Canaanite script from Lachish, incised on an ivory comb, is presented. The 17 letters, in early pictographic style, form seven words expressing a plea against lice.
Journal of the Israel prehistoric society, 2004
This paper reports on the excavation seasons 2000 and 2001 at Eynan (Ain Mallaha) in the Upper Jo... more This paper reports on the excavation seasons 2000 and 2001 at Eynan (Ain Mallaha) in the Upper Jordan Valley. In addition, an attempt is made to provide an overview of the analysis conducted by the authors in their different spheres of expertise. Field work concentrated mainly on Final Natufian deposits, but an endeavour to clarify stratigraphie discrepancies in earlier layers led to recognition of a formerly unknown occupation from the Early Epi-paleolithic. During the course of this research graves from the Early or Late Natufian episode were uncovered. The two main phases of building activity distinguished in the Final Natufian layer during the season 1996-1999 are now known as Ib2 (lower) and lbl (upper). Two 14 C dates ca. 10,500 BP uncalibrated were obtained for Ib2. It appears that each of the uncovered buildings, whatever the phase, went through a complicated history. As had been suspected, not every building served as a "house". It seems now possible to reconstruct a kind of "ideal model" followed by Final Natufian ho use makers at the site. Accordingly, at least one of the excavated building first intended for an unknown purpose was then converted into a house. More Final Natufian graves were excavated. They confirm that people were usually buried individually, often in hypercontracted position. Samples of flint and animal bones collected in the stony layer lb were analysed for the sake of comparisons with refuses originating from living floors, previously processed. Despite minor differences, the assemblages are very similar. Such finding will have to be understood in the frame of a broader study of Natufian behavior at the site. A study of bird remains confirms the conclusion from former work by Pichon in showing that Final Natufian hunters chose to search for waterfowl, which they ate. The coot is the main game.
PLOS ONE, 2022
The submerged site of Ohalo II was occupied during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), between 23,500... more The submerged site of Ohalo II was occupied during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), between 23,500–22,500 cal BP, bridging the Upper Paleolithic/Epipaleolithic transition in the southern Levant. The site is known for the excellent preservation of its brush huts and botanical remains. This study examines the behavior of its past inhabitants through analysis of the entire faunal assemblage found on the three successive floors of Brush Hut 1. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity to test differing models of prey choice and assess whether the observed resource diversification is the result of resource depression (explained by Optimal Foraging Theory) or resource abundance (explained by Niche Construction Theory). We focused on a quantitative, qualitative and spatial investigation of the more than 20,000 faunal remains, combining traditional zooarchaeological methods with microwear analysis of teeth and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) of burnt bones. Identification of fau...
Archaeological sites, location, radiometric and cultural dating and ancient DNA results for the 9... more Archaeological sites, location, radiometric and cultural dating and ancient DNA results for the 99 ancient dogs analyzed in this study
Confidence intervals (according to Simon's method) of observed frequencies of Hg D in Europe ... more Confidence intervals (according to Simon's method) of observed frequencies of Hg D in Europe and Southeastern Europe, before and during/after the neolithization
Ancient Dog population structure for five regions of Eurasia for pre-Neolithic period and during/... more Ancient Dog population structure for five regions of Eurasia for pre-Neolithic period and during/after the Neolithic transition
More than Meets the Eye, 2017
Journal of Human Evolution, 2020
Situated at the crossroads of Africa and Eurasia, the Levant is a crucial region for understandin... more Situated at the crossroads of Africa and Eurasia, the Levant is a crucial region for understanding the origins and spread of Upper Paleolithic (UP) traditions associated with the spread of modern humans. Of the two local Early Upper Paleolithic technocomplexes, the Ahmarian and the Levantine Aurignacian, the latter appears to be unique in the endemic UP sequence, exhibiting greater similarity to the West European 'classic' Aurignacian than to the local preceding and proceeding UP entities. Previous publications have mostly focused on the similarities between the two lithic industries and less on studies conducted on Levantine Aurignacian bone tools and ornaments. Here, we present an archaeozoological, technological and use-wear study of ornaments on animal teeth from the Levantine Aurignacian layers at Manot and Hayonim caves (the Galilee, Israel). The selection of taxa, the choice of teeth, the mode of modification, and the use-wear analysis exhibit clear similarities with the European Aurignacian. This, with the technology of the osseous raw material exploitation, the presence of antler simple-base points, and some lithic typotechnological features, suggest a link between the symbolic spheres of the Levantine and the European Aurignacian cultural entities. Such similarity also supports some contribution of European Aurignacians groups to the local cultural entities, intermingling with the local material culture features.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2020
The Final Natufian level Ib from Eynan/Ain Mallaha provided a large and diversified assemblage of... more The Final Natufian level Ib from Eynan/Ain Mallaha provided a large and diversified assemblage of ungulates used here to study the seasonality of game procurement. The objective of this study was to evaluate the advantage of combining two methods, dental eruption and wear, and tooth microwear. Tooth microwear results allowed us to confirm the seasonality of procurement of red and roe deer and to narrow down its duration for the gazelle and the fallow deer. Game procurement occurred throughout the year for the roe deer. Red deer were hunted in spring and summer, and gazelle in late autumn-early winter. This approach allowed us to improve the accuracy of seasonality estimates and to increase sample size by using the entire population (young and adult individuals) for each species. The few individuals that were analysed with the two methods also permitted us to characterize the diet of the population at the time of death.
The SYNTHESYS consortium has been operational since 2004, and has facilitated physical access by ... more The SYNTHESYS consortium has been operational since 2004, and has facilitated physical access by individual researchers to European natural history collections through its Transnational Access programme (TA). For the first time, SYNTHESYS+ will be offering
Quaternary International, 2020
Abstract The Plio-Pleistocene fossil rhinoceroses of Eurasia are relatively well known, although ... more Abstract The Plio-Pleistocene fossil rhinoceroses of Eurasia are relatively well known, although their taxonomy and phylogeny are still debated. The fossil rhinoceros material collected at the Bethlehem site during the first half of the 20th century is revised and re-described. Based on morphological comparison of the Bethlehem material with the latest Miocene, Pliocene and Early Pleistocene Eurasian and African species, the specimens are assigned as Rhinocerotini indet., Dihoplus sp. and 'Dihoplus' bethlehemsis sp. nov. The comparison revealed that the studied material displays more features in common with the genus Dihoplus than with the genus Stephanorhinus. Tooth microwear analysis revealed that the diet of Bethlehem rhinoceros was probably composed of leaves of trees, bushes, or part of dicots. The new species could be one of the latest representatives of the Miocene genus Dihoplus that survived in Eurasia until the end of the Pliocene. Thus again the site of Bethlehem being unique in its biogeographically setting, provides novel understanding of the ‘Levantine Corridor’ dispersal route.
Current Anthropology, 2019
The appearance of art as a constant component of human culture is attributed to several Upper Pal... more The appearance of art as a constant component of human culture is attributed to several Upper Paleolithic traditions. The record of earlier artistic manifestations is rather scanty and chronogeographically varied, although crucial for studies of human behavioral evolution. Here we describe an engraved bone from the Middle Paleolithic site of Quneitra, depicting an image similar to that of another artwork found in the same layer. The results of the comparative study indicate that the two artworks from Quneitra share a unique quality of illusion—artistic manipulations that create optical effects described as the “complementary effect.” These artistic manipulations articulate cognitive properties of the human mind at large and can be explained through the prism of the Gestalt principles of perception. The results of this study suggest that illusion is part and parcel of artistic creation from its beginnings.