Tell Abu Hureyra in Syria has provided some of the earliest evidence of the development from hunting and gathering to farming. The site was occupied from 11,500 years ago and was situated on a natural sandstone bench above the River Euphrates. Pits were dug into the sandstone, and were roofed to make dwellings, while smaller pits were used for storage.

The dwellings covered several thousand square metres, forming one of the earliest villages. Permanent settlement was possible because of the richness of the food resources in the area. Gazelle were selectively hunted on their migration northwards during spring. The meat was probably dried or smoked for use during the rest of the year. Wild cereals and grasses were harvested and ground on querns to make flour, while legumes and fruits were also gathered from the area.

This highly specialised hunting and gathering survived for 1500 years, and eventually led to the establishment of cereal cultivation and the herding of sheep and goat at both Abu Hureyra and at other sites across the Middle East.