Qumran 24, a Neolithic–Chalcolitic site by the Dead Sea. A short report and some information on lithics

The Neolithic-Chalcolithic site of Qumran Cave 24 is located in desert ecology by the Dead Sea, 285m bsl. Qumran Cave 24 shows exclusive human use almost throughout the first half of the Holocene and must have been a seasonal (winter-spring) short lived site. The economy of the cave’s inhabitants always included an important component of hunting, even when domesticated animals are clearly present and even when they constitute a significant percentage in the later layer’s faunal assemblages. The lithics of all layers show two significantly different trajectories –one, brought-in from “parent” settlements made on high-quality raw materials; and one made locally while staying in the cave. The short analysis of the lithic assemblages per-layer bears this out clearly with formal curated tools usually made on imported raw materials and ad hoc (expedient) tools made on the local, low quality flint. Technological and typological aspects enable assignment to Neolithic and Chalcolithic cultural entities and some comments are made on the function of flint tools following a use wear study. Understanding the role of this site and other such sites in Neolithic-Chalcolithic settlement and socio-economic systems in the region may be instructive regarding herd management and early pastoralism.