The megalithic culture of the Corazim plateau, eastern galilee, Israel : New evidence for a chronological and social framework
Part of : Mediterranean archaeology & archaeometry : international journal ; Vol.5, No.1, 2005, pages 39-50
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Pages:
39-50
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Articles
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Abstract:
Within the framework of the ongoing archaeological survey of the Corazim plateau under theauspices of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) during the years 1990-2002,450 dolmens and afew hundred more Tumuli Cairns were recorded - more than half of the Megalithic burial-fieldknown to exist in this area, which is the largest of its kind within Israel west of the Jordan. Theyconsist of several types, including a relatively rare group of closed oval-shaped dolmens with acorbelled roof. In general, their characteristics are similar to those of the more well known Dolmensof the Golan and it seems reasonable to include both within a common chronological and culturalframework. The finds gathered from excavations and surveys (including an MBIIa bronze chiselaxe) and the recent discovery of some IB (MBI) - MBIIa rural and semi-nomadic settlements (e.g.H. Berech west of Corazim) indicate that the Corazim plateau dolmen phenomena should be datedto the end of the 3'd - early 2nd Millennia B.C.E., and pertains to a semi-nomadic populationsustaining during that period in this area.
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Keywords:
Basalt, Dolmen, Tumulus, Tomb, Intermediate Bronze Age (IB), Semi-Nomadic
