Iraq ed-Dubb (Ain Hashara)
عراق الدب · Iraq ad-Dubb · Ain Hashara · Irak ed Dubb
Early to Late Natufian (13,500–11,500 BP)·Natufian·🇯🇴 Ajloun Governorate, Wadi el-Yabis, Jordan Valley escarpment, Jordan
About
About Iraq ed-Dubb (Ain Hashara)
Natufian rockshelter (c.13,500–11,500 BP) cut into the Jordan Valley escarpment above Wadi el-Yabis, excavated by I. Kuijt (1990–1995). Contains stratified Early to Late Natufian burials, plastered storage pits, unusually early plant cultivation evidence (wild barley with sickle gloss), and the earliest constructed cult installation outside caves — a small stone basin altar prefiguring Beidha pillar shrines. Shows escarpment ecozone Natufian sedentism intermediate between Wadi Hammeh valley floor and highland forests.
Why it mattersEarliest upland Natufian plant cultivation and non-cave ritual installation, bridging Hayonim Cave to open Natufian villages.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Is stored barley already tending toward domestic phenotype?
Theories
- 01Escarpment micro-catchment as Natufian sedentism niche
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 13,500 BP (Early Natufian occupation of natural shelter)
- Period
- Early to Late Natufian (13,500–11,500 BP)
- Culture
- Natufian
- Builders
- Natufian escarpment foragers
- Purpose
- Seasonal-to-sedentary rockshelter with burial and cult focus
- Abandoned
- c.11,500 BP (PPNA shift to open villages like Netiv Hagdud)
- Rediscovered
- 1989 Kuijt survey; excavated 1989–1995
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.13500 BP
Early Natufian shelter floor and hearths laid
c.12500 BP
Plastered pit and cult basin built
1989
Rockshelter tested
On the ground
Structures & features
32.1030° N · 35.6110° E · 150 m · 1 mapped feature
Cult basin
altarPlastered stone basin 40 cm diameter interpreted as altar
32.1032° N · 35.6113° E