Fig 1.
Phytogeographic and rainfall isohyet maps of the southern Levant indicating the investigated sites.
(a) Distribution of phytogeographic zones in the southern Levant; M = Mediterranean zone (garrigue, maquis, woodland); IT = Irano-Turanian zone (steppe-land); SA = Saharo-Arabian zone (desert); S = Sudanian zone (penetration territory); (b) Map of the southern Levant indicating mean annual precipitation in mm. [Modified after 26: Fig 1). Prepared by M. Cavanagh.
Fig 2.
Sede Boqer weather station data.
Average monthly temperature and precipitation for the period of 1991–2020. Data were downloaded from the Israel Meteorological Service (2023).
Fig 3.
Average seasonal wind roses illustrating wind direction and speed (m/second) at Sede Boqer for the period 2003–2012.
(a) Summer (June-August). (b) Winter (December-February). (c) Spring (March-May). (d) Autumn (September-November). Data were downloaded from the Israel Meteorological Service (2023).
Fig 4.
Nahal Boqer 66 aerial photo (taken by O. Ze’evi-Berger, courtesy of I. Finkelstein).
Fig 5.
The excavated areas investigated in this study by the renewed expedition can be seen in the center of the image. Photo courtesy of I. Finkelstein.
Fig 6.
Mashabe Sade during the 2013 field excavation.
The photo was taken by I. Finkelstein.
Fig 7.
At the bottom right, Haroa rock shelter can be seen. Photo courtesy of I. Finkelstein.
Table 1.
Pollen results from Nahal Boqer 66 (NB), dated to the Early and Intermediate Bronze Ages, together with two recent dung pellet control samples from Nahal Boqer and Nahal Noked (NN); raw data (absolute numbers) and percentages are presented.
EB = Early Bronze. IB = Intermediate Bronze.
Table 2.
Pollen results from Ein Ziq (EZ), dated to the Intermediate Bronze Age; raw data (absolute numbers) and percentages are presented.
IB = Intermediate Bronze.
Table 3.
Pollen results from the central Mashabe Sade site dated to the Intermediate Bronze Age; raw data (absolute numbers) and percentages are presented.
Table 4.
Pollen results from the Iron Age II Haroa site; raw data (absolute numbers) and percentages are presented.
Fig 8.
Pollen grains of Chenopodiaceae in a clump.
(a) Noaea pollen type. (b). Atriplex pollen type. Clumps were extracted from Mashabe Sade site (sample P23). Photo was taken under a light microscope by D. Langgut. Bar represents 20 microns.