Natufian gazelles: Proto-domestication reconsidered

During the Natufian period of Israel (c. 12,500-10,200 bp), mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella) remains are dominant in zooarchaeological assemblages, indicating intensive exploitation of this species. This phenomenon has generated much speculation about possible selective hunting practices or even domestication. A recent study suggested that Natufian gazelles exhibited a morphological pattern (diminution and increased variation) that could be interpreted as the result of intensive human sex-culling, or "proto-domestication". We statistically analysed the published data and found no evidence for dwarfing or increased variation in Natufian gazelles, and thus no support for a hypothesis of "proto-domestication". However, we analysed the published sample statistics; careful analysis of the raw data may reveal a pattern that eludes us. We call for such an analysis to settle this important point.