Yorke Rowan, Oriental Institute Since the discovery in the 1930s of fantastic wall murals at Teleilat al-Ghassul, researchers have debated the reasons for the period's striking florescence of imagery, iconography, and representation and the accompanying new burial traditions, technological advances, and population expansion. This lecture touches upon new excavations at Marj Rabba, Israel, launched by the Oriental Institute in 2009 as part of its Galilee Prehistory Project. These investigations aim to explore the links between burial caves and settlements during this formative period of human development. Our lectures are free and available to the public thanks to the generous support of our members. To become a member, please visit: bit.ly/2AWGgF7