Jennifer Everhart
My research uses a multi-scalar approach to study the interplay between hunter-gatherers, environment, subsistence, and ritual practices using faunal remains. Using zooarchaeological as well as modern behavior-ecological data, I'm developing models of late Pleistocene hunter-gatherer hunting modalities and food acquisition practices in the Southern Levant.
My current research project has been focused on hunting and food acquisition practices at a late Pleistocene (Middle Epipaleolithic) site, 'Uyun al-Hammam, located in northern Jordan. This site is one of the earliest known cemeteries in the world. In addition to containing a cemetery, 'Uyun al-Hammam has evidence of repeated habitation and use. Both of these contexts contained numerous faunal remains. The combination of habitation features and a cemetery within the same location provides an exciting opportunity to learn about the development of ancient cemeteries and examine how they were integrated into the local economy. Cemetery sites provide a unique window into past ritual practices and environmental exploitation. By studying the diversity as well as deposit density of animal bones from ritual and subsistence contexts, I can reconstruct prehistoric behavioral patterns. The information collected from this site provides rare and invaluable insight into the relationship between ritual and economy amongst ancient hunter-gatherers.
I am also interested in similar questions regarding mortuary ritual and environment involving nomadic pastoralists. I have served as a project zooarchaeologist for the Arabian Human Social Dynamics (AHSD) based out of the Arabian Peninsula. My work on this (ongoing) project focuses on reconstructing pastoral mortuary rituals through faunal materials.
Supervisors: Katheryn Twiss
My current research project has been focused on hunting and food acquisition practices at a late Pleistocene (Middle Epipaleolithic) site, 'Uyun al-Hammam, located in northern Jordan. This site is one of the earliest known cemeteries in the world. In addition to containing a cemetery, 'Uyun al-Hammam has evidence of repeated habitation and use. Both of these contexts contained numerous faunal remains. The combination of habitation features and a cemetery within the same location provides an exciting opportunity to learn about the development of ancient cemeteries and examine how they were integrated into the local economy. Cemetery sites provide a unique window into past ritual practices and environmental exploitation. By studying the diversity as well as deposit density of animal bones from ritual and subsistence contexts, I can reconstruct prehistoric behavioral patterns. The information collected from this site provides rare and invaluable insight into the relationship between ritual and economy amongst ancient hunter-gatherers.
I am also interested in similar questions regarding mortuary ritual and environment involving nomadic pastoralists. I have served as a project zooarchaeologist for the Arabian Human Social Dynamics (AHSD) based out of the Arabian Peninsula. My work on this (ongoing) project focuses on reconstructing pastoral mortuary rituals through faunal materials.
Supervisors: Katheryn Twiss
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Papers by Jennifer Everhart
In order to understand what activities took place at these monuments, one must assess the extent to which their contents reflect intentional deposition. Faunal remains are among the most commonly uncovered materials inside these monuments: it is important to establish whether they represent intentional offerings placed in the monuments by ancient pastoralists or caprines that inadvertently fell into open monuments and were unable to free themselves. This paper reports the inventories of faunal remains from these monuments and considers the role taphonomy has played in shaping our understanding of mobile peoples.
In order to understand what activities took place at these monuments, one must assess the extent to which their contents reflect intentional deposition. Faunal remains are among the most commonly uncovered materials inside these monuments: it is important to establish whether they represent intentional offerings placed in the monuments by ancient pastoralists or caprines that inadvertently fell into open monuments and were unable to free themselves. This paper reports the inventories of faunal remains from these monuments and considers the role taphonomy has played in shaping our understanding of mobile peoples.