Snake on the Plate: The Eating Habits of Early Humans in the Carmel Revealed

A new University of Haifa study, published in PNAS, reveals that the Natufian culture in the Carmel systematically hunted and ate snakes and lizards for about 3,000 years. Researchers analyzed thousands of reptile bones from the el-Wad Terrace and found cut marks on 82 vertebrae, indicating deliberate butchering. The Natufians preferred large, non-venomous species, and reptile consumption increased during periods of intensive sedentary settlement.

A new study from the University of Haifa, published in the scientific journal PNAS, reveals that members of the Natufian culture who lived in the Carmel some 15,000 to 12,000 years ago systematically hunted and ate snakes and lizards for about 3,000 years. The researchers, led by Dr. Ma'ayan Lev, analyzed thousands of reptile bones found on the el-Wad Terrace in the Nahal Me'arot Nature Reserve. On 82 vertebrae of large snakes, repeated cut marks were found, indicating a deliberate butchering operation. The most common species were the European glass lizard, the black whipsnake, and the common scaled viper. The Natufians preferred large, slow, and non-venomous species, such as the European glass lizard, while the more dangerous viper appeared in low numbers. The study found a link between the intensity of settlement at the site and reptile consumption: during periods of permanent and intensive settlement, their share in the diet increased. The researchers conclude that this was a planned subsistence strategy, not marginal or accidental food, and that the findings shed light on the transition from a nomadic lifestyle to permanent settlement that led to the development of agriculture.