NATUFIAN GAZELLES - PROTO-DOMESTICATION RECONSIDERED

During the Natufian period of Israel (c. 12,500-10,200 BP), mountain g azelle (Gazella gazella) remains are dominant in zooarchaeological ass emblages, indicating intensive exploitation of this species. This phen omenon has generated much speculation about possible selective hunting practices or even domestication. A recent study suggested that Natufi an gazelles exhibited a morphological pattern (diminution and increase d variation) that could be interpreted as the result of intensive huma n sex-culling, or ''proto-domestication''. We statistically analysed t he published data and found no evidence for dwarfing or increased vari ation in Natufian gazelles, and thus no support for a hypothesis of '' proto-domestication''. However, we analysed the published sample stati stics; careful analysis of the raw data may reveal a pattern that elud es us. We call for such an analysis to settle this important point. (C ) 1995 Academic Press Limited