Finding of trout (Salmo cf. trutta) in the Northern Jordan Valley (Israel) at the end of the Pleistocene: Preliminary results. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Borvon, Aurélia; Bridault, Anne; Biton, Rebecca; Rabinovich, Rivka; Prevost, Marion; Khalaily, Hamudi; Valla, François R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 18(2018)
• Page Start: 59
• Page End: 64
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Salmonidae -- Trout -- Eynan/Ain Mallaha -- Hula Basin -- Southern Levant -- Final Natufian; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.01.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: Tens of thousands of fish bones were recovered from the Final Natufian (Late Epipaleolithic) layer of the site of Eynan/Ain Mallaha (Northern Israel) dated to the end of the Pleistocene. Almost a hundred of them were attributed to a Salmoninae, most probably a trout Salmo cf. trutta . This is the southernmost attestation of a Salmo species in the Near East, past and present. It is suggested that trout were present locally as small populations at least at the end of the Pleistocene. Highlights: Salmonid fish bones were recovered from the final Natufian layer at Eynan/Ain Mallaha (Northern Israel). Morphology of the vertebrae indicates the presence of a trout ( Salmo cf. trutta ). This is the southernmost attestation of a Salmo species. It is suggested that trout were present locally at the end of the Pleistocene.