The origins of nomadic pastoralism in the eastern Jordanian steppe: a combined stable isotope and chipped stone assessment

The circumstances in which domestic animals were first introduced to the aridregions of the Southern Levantand the origins of nomadic pastoralism, have been the subject of considerable debate. Nomadic pastoralismwas a novel herd management practice with implications for the economic, social and cultural development of Neolithic communities inhabiting steppeand early village environs. Combining faunal stable isotope and chipped stone analysis from the Eastern Jordanian Neolithic steppic sites of WadiJilat 13 and 25, and ‘Ain Ghazalin the Mediterranean agricultural zone of the Levantine Corridor, we provide a unique picture of the groups exploiting the aridareas.