Atlit Yam

2025-09-15T13:10:02Z

86.26.211.52: Reverting changes

{{short description|Submerged neolithic settlement in Israel}}
{{Infobox ancient site
| name = Atlit Yam
| native_name = {{native_name|he|הכפר הנאוליתי בעתלית-ים}}
| alternate_name =
| image = Atlit-Yam, Ritual structure made of stones.JPG
| alt =
| caption = Submerged stone structure
| map_type = Israel haifa
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location off the coast of [[Haifa District]], Israel
| map_size =
| relief =
| coordinates = {{coord|32|42|38.98|N|34|56|6.54|E|display=inline,title}}
| location = Off the coast of [[Atlit (modern town)|Atlit]], Israel
| region = Eastern [[Mediterranean Sea]]
| type = Settlement
| part_of =
| length =
| width =
| area = {{convert|6|ha|acres}}
| height =
| builder =
| material =
| built = 6900 BCE
| abandoned = 6300 BCE
| epochs = [[Pre-Pottery Neolithic B]]
| cultures =
| dependency_of =
| occupants =
| event =
| excavations =
| archaeologists =
| condition =
| ownership =
| management =
| public_access =
| website =
| notes =
}}
'''Atlit Yam''' ({{langx|he|עתלית ים}}) is a submerged [[Pre-Pottery Neolithic|Pre Pottery Neolithic C]] (PPNC) archaeological site located 300–400 meters<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Galili |first=Ehud |last2=Weinstein-Evron |first2=Mina |last3=Hershkovitz |first3=Israel |last4=Gopher |first4=Avi |last5=Kislev |first5=Mordecai |last6=Lernau |first6=Omri |last7=Kolska-Horwitz |first7=Liora |last8=Lernau |first8=Hanan |date=1993 |title=Atlit-Yam: A Prehistoric Site on the Sea Floor off the Israeli Coast |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/529950 |journal=Journal of Field Archaeology |volume=20 |issue=2 |pages=133–157 |doi=10.2307/529950 |issn=0093-4690|url-access=subscription }}</ref> off the coast of [[Atlit (modern town)|Atlit]], Israel. Dating from the late 7th to the early 6th millennia BCE, Atlit Yam provides the earliest known evidence for a community relying on [[pastoralism]], agriculture, and fishing as [[Subsistence agriculture|subsistence]] systems on the [[Levant]]ine coast.<ref>[http://www.emu.edu.tr/underwater/Symposiums/symposiums1/abstracts/marineachology.html Marine archaeology] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606070650/http://www.emu.edu.tr/underwater/Symposiums/symposiums1/abstracts/marineachology.html|date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> As of 2004, it is the only marine archaeological site in the Mediterranean to contain ''[[in situ]]'' human burials.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Galili |first=Ehud |last2=Lernau |first2=Omri |last3=Zohar |first3=Irit |date=2004 |title=Fishing and Coastal Adaptations at 'Atlit-Yam – A Submerged PPNC Fishing Village off the Carmel Coast, Israel |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/23462895.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3A8e35f21640b994b60e2141dfd2cec062&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&initiator=&acceptTC=1 |journal='Atiqot |volume=48 |pages=1–34 |jstor=}}</ref>

==Location==

Atlit Yam once sat on a coastal peninsula in close vicinity to the Oren River as well as several fresh water springs.<ref name=":0" /> The beginning of the [[Holocene]] saw a [[Sea level rise|rise in sea levels]] which left the site completely submerged by approximately 7000 BP.<ref name=":0" /> The contemporary coastline is assumed to have been about {{convert|1|km|mi|sigfig=1}} west of the present coast.<ref>Ehud Galili/Y. Nir, "The submerged pre-pottery Neolithic water well at Atlit-Yam, northern Israel, and its palaeoenvironmental implications", ''The Holocene'' 3, 1993, 265–270.</ref><ref>Ehud Galili/ Jacob Sharvi. "Submerged Neolithic water-wells from the Carmel coast of Israel". ''Landschaftsverband Rheinland, Rheinisches Amt für Bodendenkmalpflege'' (ed.), Brunnen der Jungsteinzeit. Internationales Symposium in Erkelenz, 27–29 October 1997. Materialien zur Denkmlapflege im Rheinland 11, 1998 (Bonn Habelt). p. 31–44.</ref> It is currently {{convert|8|–|12|m|ft|sigfig=1}} beneath sea level in the [[Mediterranean Sea]], in the Bay of Atlit, at the mouth of the [[Oren]] river on the [[Mount Carmel|Carmel]] coast. The site covers an estimated {{convert|6|ha|acres}}.<ref name=":0" />

== Archaeological findings ==
The Pre-[[Yarmukian culture|Yarmukian]] site has been [[Radiocarbon dating|radiocarbon dated]] to 8100-7900 BP from charcoal and seed samples.<ref name=":0" /> Submerged settlements and [[shipwrecks]] have been found on the Carmel coast since 1960, in the wake of large-scale sand [[quarry]]ing. In 1984, [[marine archaeology|marine archaeologist]] [[Ehud Galili]] spotted ancient remains while surveying the area for [[shipwreck]]s.<ref name="New Scientist">{{cite journal |last=Marchant |first=Jo |date=25 November 2009 |title=Deep Secrets: Atlit-Yam, Israel |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427361.400-atlityam-israel.html |journal=New Scientist |publisher=Reed Business Information Ltd. |issue=2736 |pages=40, 41 |issn=0262-4079 |access-date=28 November 2009}}</ref> [[File:Atlit-Yam, Ritual structure made of stones, restoration.JPG|thumb|Atlit-Yam, Ritual structure made of stones, artist's reconstruction]]

=== Structural features ===
The foundations of several rectangular walls made of stone and clay bricks have been excavated, some of which contained hearths and "round installations" which are suggested to have served as food niches.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Galili |first=Ehud |date=1987 |title=A Late Pre-Pottery Neolithic B Site on the Sea Floor at Atlit |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23373183 |journal=Mitekufat Haeven: Journal of the Israel Prehistoric Society / מתקופת האבן |volume=כ' |pages=50*–71* |issn=0334-3839}}</ref> A well constructed of dry-stone walling, with a diameter of {{cvt|1.5|m}} and a depth of {{cvt|5.5|m}}, contained four distinct levels of use. The upper two layers (from 250-0 cm) contained an excess of faunal and botanical remains as well as small stones and shells,<ref name=":0" /> thus suggesting the well's use as a refuse pit after rising sea levels resulted in the salinization of the well water.<ref name=":1" /> Galili believes that this contamination eventually forced the inhabitants of Atlit Yam to abandon their homes.<ref name="New Scientist" />

A stone semicircle, containing seven {{cvt|600|kg}} [[megalith]]s, has been found. The stones have [[cup marks]] carved into them and are arranged around a freshwater spring, which suggests that they may have been used for a water ritual.<ref name="New Scientist" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Israel's Atlantis |url=https://www.jpost.com/Local-Israel/Around-Israel/Israels-Atlantis |access-date=2019-04-15 |work=Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Pre-Pottery Neolithic Site of Atlit-Yam |url=http://www.antiquities.org.il/article_eng.aspx?sec_id=14&subj_id=139 |access-date=2019-04-15 |publisher=Israel Antiquities Authority}}</ref>

=== Artifacts ===
A majority of the [[Lithic analysis|lithic]] assemblage consisted of [[Projectile point|projectile points]], [[bifaces]], axes, and sickle blades. While several types of chert were present in the assemblage, they were all quarried from the [[Mount Carmel]] region, approximately 4 km to the east. Out of the 155 lithic tools collected, a majority were recovered on the surface of the sea floor.<ref name=":0" /> Also recovered were several [[Mortar and pestle|mortars]] and bowls made of [[kurkar]] and limestone.<ref name=":2" />

Some of the bone artifacts recovered from Atlit Yam include a drilled needle, fishing hooks, projectile points, awls, and ornaments carved with unidentified animals or geometric designs.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

=== Faunal remains ===
The faunal assemblage consists of approximately 322 identifiable bones and another 177 which remain unidentified. The [[minimum number of individuals]] (MNI) as calculated by the [[osteological]] frequency of faunal remains indicate that goat remains take up over half of the assemblage, followed by cattle and swine. [[Morphology (biology)|Morphologically]], the goat and cattle remains are consistent with non-domesticated species. This indicates that the community of Atlit Yam most likely practiced incipient domestication, characterized by the isolation of a group from a wild herd without the selective interference of choice breeding.<ref name=":0" />

Over 6,000 fish remains have been recovered from Atlit Yam. Approximately 92% of the identifiable species consisted of the Gray triggerfish (''[[Grey triggerfish|Balistes carolinensis]]''). 34 grouper (''[[Serranidae]]'') remains were recovered from a single feature (L10A). 32 drum (''[[Sciaenidae]]'') remains were also recovered from L10A. It has been disputed as to whether or not the fish remains accumulated due to human activity or simply over time, but the pristine condition of both the bones and scales is indicative of their deposition prior to the rising of the sea levels.

=== Floral remains ===
An estimated 26,000 grains of charred [[emmer]] and naked wheats were recovered in a pit near structure 10, being the largest contemporaneous deposit of its type in the region. Charcoal remains have been analyzed to be those of olive, [[carob]], oak, aphylla, and date trees. Similarly, waterlogged seeds of fig, grape, lentil, and almond were also recovered.<ref name=":0" /> Granary [[weevil]]s indicate the presence of stored grain. Pollen analysis and the remains of marsh plants indicates the local presence of swamps.

A single seed of ''[[Styrax officinalis]]'' was recovered from a well. These seeds have commonly been used as fish poison in the region for hundreds of years, suggesting that the inhabitants of Atlit Yam did so likewise.<ref name=":1" />

=== Human remains ===
At least 90 human burials, a majority of which were interred either close to or within dwellings, have been recovered at Atlit Yam. Most were ''in situ'', but few consisted of disarticulated remains which are suggested to have been secondary burials. The individuals were buried in a flexed position typical of those found within Pre-Pottery Neolithic sites in the region. Two of the burials are children under the age of fifteen, one is aged to between 14-20 years, four between the ages of 20-30, and four whose ages cannot be determined.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> The skeletons of a woman and child, found in 2008, have revealed the earliest known cases of [[tuberculosis]].{{Citation needed|reason=source for this dates not provided|date=August 2020}}

==== Health ====
The buried individuals of Atlit Yam display many signs of poor health, including [[Surfer's ear|auditory exotosis]], which is a common occurrence when spending extended time cold water diving. [[Dental attrition]], caused by excessive tooth-on-tooth wear, could be indicative of rope or cord maneuvering with fishing. Elbow wear is similarly common, as seen with extensive rowing. <ref name=":0" /> A single individual (Burial 13E) displayed signs of tuberculosis, a wrist fracture, dental attrition, prolonged high fever, and epilepsy. <ref name=":2" /> Excavated by the [[University of Haifa]] on October 1, 1987 resulted in the recovery of a complete human burial, in an excellent state of preservation. She was discovered under {{convert|10|m|0}} of water, with the skeleton oriented in a flexed position and laid on her right side. Subsequent carbon dating of plant material recovered from the burial placed the age of the site at 8000 +/−200 years.{{Citation needed|reason=source for this dates not provided|date=August 2020}}

The Homo I skeleton showed traits similar to [[Natufian culture|Natufian]] populations, but had its own unique morphologic structure, which evidenced inbreeding in the community. The researchers emphasized that one skeleton is not an adequate sample on which to base conclusions. Inland and coastal groups present different types of economical and cultural adaptations to their environment.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hershkovitz |first=Israel |last2=Galili |first2=Ehud |date=1991 |title=The morphological significance of the Homo I Skeleton from the PPNB submerged site at Atlit-Yam, Israel |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/bmsap_0037-8984_1991_num_3_1_1770 |journal=Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'Anthropologie de Paris |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=83–96 |doi=10.3406/bmsap.1991.1770}}</ref>

== Significance ==
Piles of fish ready for trade or storage have led scientists to conclude that the village was abandoned suddenly. An Italian study led by Maria Pareschi of the [[National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology|Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology]] in Pisa indicates that a volcanic collapse of the eastern flank of [[Mount Etna]] 8,500 years ago would likely have caused a 10-storey {{cvt|40|m}} [[tsunami]] to engulf some [[Mediterranean]] coastal cities within hours. Some scientists point to the apparent abandonment of Atlit Yam around the same time as further evidence that indeed, such a tsunami did occur.<ref>{{cite news |last=Than |first=Ker |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,233360,00.html?sPage=fnc.science/archaeology |title=Ten-Story Tsunami Thrashed Mediterranean 8,000 Years Ago |publisher=Fox News |date=2006-11-30 |access-date=2005-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212060448/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,233360,00.html?sPage=fnc.science%2Farchaeology |archive-date=2007-02-12 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hecht |first=Jeff |url=https://www.newscientist.com/channel/earth/mg19225814.600-how-etnas-neolithic-hiccup-set-off-a-tsunami.html |title=How Etna's Neolithic Hiccup Set Off a Tsunami |work=New Scientist |date=2006-12-13 |access-date=2005-12-20}}</ref>[[File:Alit-Yam – Human skeleton.JPG|thumb|Human skeleton in flexed position, discovered at Atlit Yam]]
===Radiocarbon dating ===
The settlement has been dated by three [[radiocarbon date]]s from submerged branches:{{Citation needed|reason=source for this dates not provided|date=August 2020}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Lab-number
! [[Before Present|BP]]
! date (approx.)
! deviation
|-
| RT-2477/8
| 7605
| 6460 [[Before Christ|BC]]
| 55
|-
| RT-2479
| 7460
| 6270–6390 BC
| 55
|-
| RT-2489
| 7880
| 6660–6700 BC
| 55
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Portal|Israel|History|Asia}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Atlit-Yam}}
*{{Cite web|url=http://www.antiquities.org.il/article_eng.aspx?sec_id=14&subj_id=139|title=The Pre-Pottery Neolithic Site of Atlit-Yam|access-date=2019-04-15|publisher=Israel Antiquities Authority}}

{{fishing history|expanded=villages}}
{{Middle Eastern megaliths}}
[[Category:1984 archaeological discoveries]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Israel]]
[[Category:History of fishing]]
[[Category:Maritime archaeology in Israel]]
[[Category:Megalithic monuments in the Middle East]]
[[Category:Neolithic settlements]]
[[Category:Stone circles in Asia]]
[[Category:Prehistoric sites in Israel]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 7th millennium BC]]
[[Category:Underwater archaeological sites]]
[[Category:Pre-Pottery Neolithic B]]

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Atlit Yam