The anurans and squamates assemblage from Final Natufian Eynan (Ain Mallaha, Israel) with an emphasis on snake-human interactions

Abstract

During the Natufian period, more than 12,000 years ago, Eynan (Ain Mallaha) was an important human settlement in the Hula Valley, Israel. This study concentrates on the anuran and squamate assemblage from the ultimate stage of the Natufian period at the site, the Final Natufian. Over five thousand bones assigned to at least sixteen taxa were studied from a sampled segment of the excavated open-air site. Relative species abundance, spatial distribution, taphonomic observations and ecological considerations all pointed to the conclusion that the inhabitants of Eynan intensively exploited three large "colubrine" snakes species: the Large Whip Snake (Dolichophis jugularis), the Eastern Montpellier Snake (Malpolon insignitus) and an Eastern Four-lined Ratsnake (Elaphe cf. sauromates). These snakes were the most desired and were intensively gathered, while other snakes and lizards could have been opportunistically collected when encountered. We raise questions about whether the large "colubrines" exploitation should be interpreted as additional evidence of increasing diet breadth. We suggest challenging this line of reasoning and offer possible alternative motives.

Fig 1. Final Natufian (Layer Ib) excavation map.

Map of the area exposed at Eynan (Ain Mallaha) during the 1996–2005 excavation campaigns, with an indication of the area sampled for the current study. Figure designed by F. R. Valla based on data from fieldwork.

Fig 2. Taphonomic observations on snake bones from Final Natufian Eynan (Ain Mallaha).

All scale bars equal 10 mm. Arrows point at modifications that were tentatively identified as root etching. (A) EM-25363 posterior and anterior views of a large “colubrine” vertebra without neural arch; (B) EM-7332, lateral view of a Malpolon insignitus right compound bone fragment; (C) EM-24746, lateral view of a Dolichophis jugularis right compound bone fragment; (D) EM-25913, ventral view of a large “colubrine” vertebra with broken posterior portion; (E) EM-13085, anterior view of an encrusted large “colubrine” vertebra; (F) EM-14459, dorsal view of six encrusted Malpolon insignitus articulated vertebrae. All photographs by Assaf Uzan.

Fig 3. Anuran-bones distribution maps from Final Natufian Eynan (Ain Mallaha) with indication of the major buildings (202, 203 and 215).

(A) “Hot-Spots Analysis Map” using Getis-Ord Gi statistic. (B) Natural Jenks distribution map based on the average sum of anuran bones per 1 cm depth for each grid-square. The maps were created based on the modification of Eynan’s excavation map (Fig 1) and the bones grid-square location (https://doi.org/10.17026/dans-2c3-mn7q) using ESRI ArcMap 10.7.1.

Fig 4. Lizard-bones distribution maps from Final Natufian Eynan (Ain Mallaha) with indication of the major buildings (202, 203 and 215).

(A) “Hot-Spots Analysis Map” using Getis-Ord Gi statistic. (B) Natural Jenks distribution map based on the average sum of lizard bones per 1 cm depth for each grid-square. The maps were created based on the modification of Eynan’s excavation map (Fig 1) and the bones grid-square location (https://doi.org/10.17026/dans-2c3-mn7q) using ESRI ArcMap 10.7.1.

Fig 5. Snakes vertebrae from Final Natufian Eynan (Ain Mallaha).

A-F posterior, anterior, lateral, dorsal, and ventral views. All scale bars equal 10 mm. (A) EM-20783, Dolichophis jugularis trunk vertebra; (B) EM-14500, Malpolon insignitus trunk vertebra; (C) EM-673, Elaphe cf. sauromates cervical vertebra; (D) EM-25035, Hemorrhois nummifer trunk vertebra; (E) EM-21915, Natrix sp. vertebra; (F) EM-25578, cf. Daboia palaestinae vertebra. All photographs by Assaf Uzan.

Fig 6. Large “colubrines” “Natural Jenks” distribution map from Final Natufian Eynan (Ain Mallaha) with indication of the major buildings (202, 203 and 215).

Natural Jenks distribution map based on the average sum of large “colubrine” bones per 1 cm depth for each grid-square. All large “colubrines” taxa included: Dolichophis jugularis; Malpolon insignitus; Elaphe cf. sauromates and large “colubrines” unidentified to more specific taxa. The map was created based on the modification of Eynan’s excavation map (Fig 1) and the bones grid-square location (https://doi.org/10.17026/dans-2c3-mn7q) using ESRI ArcMap 10.7.1.

Fig 7. Large “colubrines” “Hot-Spots Analysis Map” using Getis-Ord Gi statistic from Final Natufian Eynan (Ain Mallaha) with indication of the major buildings (202, 203 and 215).

(A) Dolichophis jugularis; (B) Malpolon insignitus; (C) Elaphe cf. sauromates; (D) large “colubrines” unidentified to more specific taxa. The maps were created based on the modification of Eynan’s excavation map (Fig 1) and the bones grid-square location (https://doi.org/10.17026/dans-2c3-mn7q) using ESRI ArcMap 10.7.1.

Fig 8. Rare snakes bone-distribution maps from Final Natufian Eynan (Ain Mallaha) with indication of the major buildings (202, 203 and 215).

Rare taxa include: Hemorrhois nummifer, Psammophis cf. schokari, Natrix sp., Eryx sp. and cf. Daboia palaestinae. (A) “Hot-Spots Analysis Map” using Getis-Ord Gi statistic. (B) Natural Jenks distribution map based on the average sum of rare snake bones per 1 cm depth for each grid-square. The maps were created based on the modification of Eynan’s excavation map (Fig 1) and the bones grid-square location (https://doi.org/10.17026/dans-2c3-mn7q) using ESRI ArcMap 10.7.1.