| Geographical range | Negev Desert |
|---|---|
| Period | Epipalaeolithic |
| Dates | 8,800 BCE – 8,000 BCE |
| Preceded by | Natufian culture |
| Followed by | Pre-Pottery Neolithic A |
| Preceded by thePleistocene |
| Holocene Epoch |
|---|
|
Blytt–Sernander stages/ages
*Relative to year 2000 (b2k). †Relative to year 1950 (BP/Before "Present"). |
Harifian is a specialized regional cultural development of theEpipalaeolithic of theNegev Desert, in the southern part of theLevant.[1][2] It corresponds to the latest stages of theNatufian culture, and represents a culmination of the local Natufian developments.[3]
Like the Natufian, Harifian is characterized by semi-subterranean houses. These are often more elaborate than those found at Natufian sites. For the first time arrowheads are found among the stone tool kit.
The Harifian dates to between approximately 10,800/10,500 BP and 10,000/10,200 BP. It is restricted to theSinai Peninsula and Negev, and is probably broadly contemporary with theLate Natufian orPre-Pottery Neolithic A (PPNA), although archeological chronology has shown it seems to have occurred during the transition from the Natufian to the PPNA.[4]
Microlithic points are a characteristic feature of the industry, with the Harif point being both new and particularly diagnostic – Bar-Yosef (1998) suggests that it is an indication of improved hunting techniques. Lunates, isosceles and other triangular forms were backed with retouch, and someHelwan lunates are found. This industry contrasts with the Desert Natufian which did not have the roughly triangular points in its assemblage.[5]
There are two main groups within the Harifian. One group consists of ephemeral base camps in the north of Sinai and western Negev, where stone points comprise up to 88% of all microliths, accompanied by only a few lunates and triangles. The other group consists of base camps and smaller campsites in the Negev and features a greater number of lunates and triangles than points. These sites probably represent functional rather than chronological differences. The presence ofKhiam points in some sites indicates that there was communication with other areas in the Levant at this time."[6]