What are two early human communities found in the Middle East?

1. Natufian culture: The Natufian culture is an archaeological culture of the Epipaleolithic period, which flourished in the Levant region of the Middle East from approximately 12,500 to 9,500 BCE. It was named after Wadi en-Natuf, a valley in the Judean Mountains in Israel, where the first major archaeological excavations of Natufian sites were conducted.

The Natufian culture was characterized by a semi-sedentary lifestyle, with people living in small villages of up to 150 individuals. They were primarily hunter-gatherers, but they also began to practice agriculture, cultivating plants such as wheat, barley, and lentils. The Natufians were also known for their artistic expressions, including the production of small stone figurines, bone tools, and jewelry.

2. Neolithic B culture: The Neolithic B culture, also known as the PPNB or Pre-Pottery Neolithic B, was a Neolithic archaeological culture that existed in the Middle East from approximately 10,200 to 7,500 BCE. The term "pre-pottery" refers to the fact that this culture predated the development of pottery.

The Neolithic B culture was characterized by the emergence of settled villages, with some settlements growing to populations of over 1,000 individuals. The people of this culture were mostly farmers, cultivating crops such as wheat, barley, and lentils, and raising livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle. They also began to build permanent houses made of stone or mud brick.

The Neolithic B culture was also known for its advanced technology, including the use of ground stone tools, such as axes, adzes, and chisels, as well as the use of obsidian for making blades. They also began to develop some of the earliest forms of writing, such as the Jericho Glyphs.