The origin of hippopotamus ivory used in artifact manufacture in the Levant is discussed, especially as it relates to the archaeozoological evidence of local hippopotamus herds. On the basis of the spatial distribution of southern Levantine sites where hippopotamus bones have been recovered, it is proposed that at least since the Middle Pleistocene hippopotami were present along the littoral and that they probably were a source of ivory for trade to the hinterland and to neighboring regions.