Atlit Yam

Atlit Yam

הכפר הנאוליתי בעתלית-ים‎
Submerged stone structure
Location off the coast of Haifa District, Israel
Location	Off the coast of Atlit, Israel
Region	Eastern Mediterranean Sea
Coordinates	32°42′38.98″N 34°56′6.54″E
Type	Settlement
Area	40 dunams (9.9 acres)
History
Founded	6900 BCE
Abandoned	6300 BCE
Periods	Pre-Pottery Neolithic B

Atlit Yam is an ancient submerged Neolithic village off the coast of Atlit, Israel. It has been carbon-dated as to be between 8,900 and 8,300 years old. Among the features of the 10-acre site is a stone circle.

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Archaeological findings

Human skeleton in flexed position, discovered at Atlit Yam

Submerged settlements and shipwrecks have been found on the Carmel coast since 1960, in the wake of large-scale sand quarrying. In 1984, marine archaeologist Ehud Galili spotted ancient remains whilst surveying the area for shipwrecks. Remains of rectangular houses and hearth-places have been found. Also found was a well that currently lies 10.5 m (35 ft) below sea-level, constructed of dry-stone walling, with a diameter of 1.5 m (5 ft) and a depth of 5.5 m (20 ft) lower. The fill contained flints, artifacts of ground stone and bone, and animal bones in two separate layers. The upper layer contained partly articulated animal bones, which presumably, were thrown in after the well went out of use. Other round structures at the site may also be wells. Galili believes that the water in the wells gradually became contaminated with seawater, forcing the inhabitants to abandon their homes.

A stone semicircle, containing seven 600 kg (1,300 lb) megaliths, has been found. The stones have cup marks carved into them and are arranged around a freshwater spring, which suggests that they may have been used for a water ritual.

Ten flexed burials have been discovered, both inside the houses and in their vicinity. The skeletons of a woman and child, found in 2008, have revealed the earliest known cases of tuberculosis. Bone fish-hooks and piles of fish bones ready for trade or storage point to the importance of marine resources. The men are thought to have dived for seafood, as four skeletons with ear damage have been found, probably caused by diving in cold water. Anthropomorphic stone stelae have been found. The lithics include arrowheads, sickle-blades, and axes.

An excavation was mounted by the University of Haifa on October 1, 1987. A complete human burial, in an excellent state of preservation, was discovered under 10m of water on October 4 with the skeleton oriented in a flexed position and laid on her right side. Subsequent carbon dating of plant material recovered from the burial placed the age of the site at 8000 +-200 years.

Animal bones and plant remains also have been preserved. Animal bones come mainly from wild species. The plant remains include wild grape, poppy, and caraway seeds. Granary weevils indicate the presence of stored grain. Pollen analysis and the remains of marsh plants indicates the local presence of swamps.

Radiocarbon dating

The settlement has been dated by three radiocarbon dates from submerged branches:

Lab-number	BP	date (approx.)	deviation
RT-2477/8	7605	6460 BC	55
RT-2479	7460	6270–6390 BC	55
RT-2489	7880	6660–6700 BC	55

External links

• "The Pre-Pottery Neolithic Site of Atlit-Yam". Israel Antiquities Authority. Retrieved 2019-04-15.