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Broad spectrum or specialised activity? Birds and tortoises at the Epipalaeolithic site of Wadi Jilat 22 in the eastern Jordan steppe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Louise Martin ,
Yvonne Edwards  and
Andrew Garrard
Louise Martin
Affiliation:
*Institute of Archaeology, University College London, 31–34 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PY, UK (Email: [email protected])
Yvonne Edwards
Affiliation:
*Institute of Archaeology, University College London, 31–34 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PY, UK (Email: [email protected])
Andrew Garrard
Affiliation:
*Institute of Archaeology, University College London, 31–34 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PY, UK (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

The analysis of rich bone assemblages from an Epipalaeolithic site in Jordan show that wing feathers were being extracted, probably for ornamental or ceremonial purposes, from eagles and buzzards. These raptors were perhaps caught by luring them with tortoises, evident from smashed shells in the same assemblage. The authors speculate on the symbolic value of eagles' wings among these pre-Neolithic people.

Keywords

JordanWadi JilatEpipalaeolithic16–13k BPanimal boneequidsgazelleseaglestortoisesritual use of feathers
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 87 , Issue 337 , September 2013 , pp. 649 - 665
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2013

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