Contents List

1 Natufian Art

• Introduction

2 The Natufian – ‘a Dramatic and Brilliant Appearance on the Scene’

• Discovery of the Natufian
• The Natufian Culture
• The Natufian Setting – Geography and Environment
• Precursors to Natufian Art – Examples from the Levant

3 Wadi Hammeh 27

• Introduction
• Excavation of Wadi Hammeh 27
• Site Chronology
• Site Formation Processes
• Architecture
• Decorated Artefact Types
• Fauna
• Flora
• Mineral Resources
• Human Burials
• Conclusion

4 Classifying Natufian Art

• Introduction
• Defining Natufian Art
• Quantifying Natufian Art
• A Classification System for Natufian Art
• Natufian Art – the Motif Categories
• Gendering Natufian Figurines
• Geometric Motifs
• Natufian Art – the Artefact Types
• Making Natufian Art – the Manufacture Process
• Examining Natufian Art

5 The Art Items from Wadi Hammeh 27

• Introduction
• Catalogue of Art Items from Wadi Hammeh 27
• Figures of Art Items from Wadi Hammeh 27

6 The Wadi Hammeh 27 Art Assemblage

• Introduction
• A Quantitative Analysis of Motifs Represented at Wadi Hammeh 27
• Raw Materials Used in the Production of Art at Wadi Hammeh 27
• Manufacturing Techniques Applied to the Art Items from Wadi Hammeh 27
• Distribution of Phase 1 Art Items at Wadi Hammeh 27
• Distribution of Art Items through Phases 1–4
• Evidence for Re-ues of Art Items
• Conclusion

7 A Temporal, Spatial and Technological Analysis of Natufian Art

• Introduction
• The Significance of the Wadi Hammeh 27 Assemblage
• The Distribution of Natufian Art and Its Relationship to Site Type
• Motifs Used in Figurative and Geometric Representations – an Evaluation of the Evidence for Shared Artistic Traditions and Site Specific Identities
• Raw Materials and Manufacture Techniques Employed in the Production of Natufian Art
• Conclusion
• Tables
• Figures

8 Interpreting Natufian Art Objects

• Introduction
• Evidence for Narrative in Natufian Art
• Natufian ‘Notation’ Devices and the Challenges to Their Identification and Verification
• Natufian Art – Ambiguous Forms and Elusive Intent
• Found Objects – Shaped Stones and Manuports
• Gender in Natufian Art – the Predominance of Male Iconography
• Public Performance and Ritual at Wadi Hammeh 27

9 Conclusion

Bibliography