Natufian culture
The Natufian culture, which flourished around 12,500 to 9,500 BCE in the Eastern Mediterranean (mainly modern-day Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon), is significant for being one of the first to transition from a nomadic lifestyle of foraging to a more settled way of living. The Natufians built semi-permanent structures and developed early forms of agriculture, cultivating wild grains. They are known for their sophisticated tools, art, and burial practices, indicating social complexity and cultural development. Their innovations paved the way for the later emergence of farming societies, marking a crucial period in human history.
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The Natufian culture, dating from around 12,500 to 9,500 BCE, emerged in the Levant region of the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly in what is now Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. This prehistoric society is significant for its early adoption of semi-sedentary lifestyles, where people began to live in permanent or semi-permanent settlements rather than constantly migrating. The Natufians relied on a diverse diet, including wild grains and game, and they are often regarded as a precursor to agriculture, as their practices laid the groundwork for the development of farming in the region later on. They also created distinctive tools and art.