THE MEGALITHIC CULTURE OF THE CORAZIM PLATEAU, EASTERN GALILEE,ISRAEL: NEW EVIDENCE FOR A CHRONOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Within the framework of the ongoing archaeological survey of the Corazim plateau under the auspices of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) during the years 1990-2002,450 dolmens and a few hundred more Tumuli Cairns were recorded - more than half of the Megalithic burial-field known to exist in this area, which is the largest of its kind within lsrael west of the Jordan. They consist of several types, incuding a relatively rare group of closed oval-shaped dolmens with a corbelled roof. In general, their characteristics are similar to those of the more well known Dolmens of the Golan and it seems reasonable to include both within a common chronological and cultural framework. The finds gatered from excavations and surveys(including an MBIa bronze chise axe) and the recent discovery of some IB (MBI) - MBIla rural and semi-nomadic settlements (e.g H. Berech west of Corazim) indicate that the Corazim plateau dolmen phenomena should be dated to the end of the 3^rd - early 2^nd Millennia B.C.E.,and pertains to a semi-nomadic population sustaining during that period in this area.