Harvesting cereals at Dja’de el-Mughara in the northern Levant: New results through microtexture analysis of Early PPNB sickle gloss (11th millennium cal BP)

The origin of cereal domestication is a key current issue archaeological research in the Fertile Crescent. Archaeobotanical evidence highlights complex scenario for when and where agricultural practices started. Gloss texture analysis sickle blades with confocal microscopy represents new contribution to knowledge this process. A previous study (Ibáñez et al., 2016) pointed Middle Euphrates Levant as one region cultivation occurred since 13th millennium cal BP progression towards was then continuous, culminating mid-10th BP, PPNB. However, transition from Early PPNB – between 10,200–9,800 –, period appearance first domestic cereals, not fully understood. This paper presents quantitative gloss microtexture on 48 sickles levels Dja’de el-Mughara (c. 10,650–10,350 BP), pre-domestic wild cereals attested by archaeobotanical studies. indicates that though reaping semi-ripe associated cutting cultivated dominant, other group tools reaped an advanced degree maturity. Tools used green are also present, suggesting natural stands were exploited. exhibits complexity harvesting strategies at transitional period, exploitation populations different phases results compared about 50 elements several sites Late Natufian (13th BP) (late 10th Euphrates.