During the Natufian Period a tribe settled near a perennial spring around Lake Hulen in Upper Jordan. They settled here around 10,000 - 8,200 BC. The size of the settlement totaled about 2,000 square meters. The houses of the settlers were between 7 and 9 meters in diameter and were very well built which suggests that they were permanent houses. The inside floor of the house was about 4 feet below the ground outside.
One hundred burial sites were found during the excavations at Ain Mallaha. The bodies were buried in small cemeteries close to their homes. They were placed inside of sacks and placed into small holes with no order to body placement. There was no evidence of food being placed in the grave with the body but jewelry and necklaces were arranged atop the body.
The settlers economy was based on hunting or herding of gazelle, hunting of other large animals, fishing and harvesting wild cereals. The area of the settlement was very abundant in wild wheat and wild animals. This culture was a very artistic and creative culture. The jewelry and necklaces that were placed in the graves were very intricate in design. A human head carved out of limestone was also found with great detail and a flat bottom. The flat bottom was a sign that it would be placed upright.
Resources:
http://maxpages.com/ribbentrop/Ain_Mallaha_Israel
http://www.relst.uiuc.edu/Courses/106/New%20Pages/page3.html
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/eyna/hd_eyna.htm
Mike Miller