Hayonim Cave

Layer A in the Hayonim Cave in the western Galilee is an accumulation of ashes and dung caused by penned flocks since the 3rd century AD. A 2nd century AD glass furnace was found, dug into the Natufian deposits below (Layer B). Five Natufian occupation phases were characterized by a series of small rounds built from brought-in rocks. Burials including decorated individuals, a collection of incised limestone slabs and bone objects, rich assemblages of marine shells, bone pendants bone tools together with abundant lithics characterize the Natufian remains. At the entrance to the cave the Natufian dug into the Kebaran deposit (Layer C) and inside the cave into Aurignacian occupation (Layer D). Fortunately the later preserved a typical European-style lithic industry and an assemblage of bone and antler objects. The Late Mousterian, poorly represented, overlies rich occupations with lithic assemblages resembling Qafzeh cave. The latter cover with minimal interruptions a rich Early Mousterian deposit characterized by (many) retouched elongated blade blanks and points, (Layers E and F). Layer G, an Acheulo-Yabrudian, was tested in the deep sounding but bedrock was not attained.