The Chalcolithic Period - Copper Age

The Chalcolithic period in the Levant, also known as the Copper Age, occurred approximately between 5000 BCE and 3500 BCE. It represents a transitional phase between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age. During this period, people in the Levant began experimenting with the use of copper for tools and ornaments, though stone tools still remained in use.

Several cultural groups and communities inhabited the Levant during the Chalcolithic period. Some notable cultures and regions include:

1. Ghassulian Culture: Named after the archaeological site of Teleilat Ghassul in the Jordan Valley. This culture is known for its distinctive pottery, often painted in red and black geometric designs. The people of the Ghassulian culture engaged in agriculture, herding, and copper metallurgy.
2. Jericho: The ancient city of Jericho, which had a long history of habitation, continued to be occupied during the Chalcolithic period. The residents of Jericho during this time engaged in agriculture, and evidence of a defensive wall has been found.
3. Beersheba Culture: In the southern part of the Levant, the Beersheba culture emerged during the Chalcolithic period. Sites like Beersheba and Abu Matar are associated with this culture, where people practiced agriculture, herding, and copper production.
4. Wadi Rabah Culture: This culture is associated with sites in the central and southern Levant, and it is characterized by the production of pottery with red and black painted decorations. People of the Wadi Rabah culture were involved in agriculture and may have had trade connections with neighboring regions.
    

The Chalcolithic period in the Levant saw the continuation and intensification of agricultural practices, the emergence of more complex societies, and the increasing use of copper. It laid the foundation for the subsequent Bronze Age, where the use of bronze (an alloy of copper and tin) became more prevalent.