Tell Abu Suwwan, a Neolithic Site in Jordan: Preliminary Report on the 2005 and 2006 Field Seasons

Home , Diana Kirkbride, Tell Abu Hureyra

Tell Abu Suwwan, A Neolithic Site in Jordan: Preliminary Report on the 2005 and 2006 Field Seasons

Maysoon al-Nahar Department of Archaeology Institute of Archaeology University of Jordan Amman 11942, Jordan [email protected]

Tell Abu Suwwan is the only Neolithic site excavated north of the Zarqa River in Jordan. Its architectural characteristics and the diagnostic lithic artifacts discovered at the site during the University of Jordan 2005 and 2006 field seasons, directed by the author, suggest that the site was occupied continually from the Middle Pre-Pottery Neolithic Phase B (MPPNB) to the Yarmoukian (Pottery Neolithic) period. The site was divided by the excavator into two areas—A and B. Area A yielded a few walls, plaster floors, and orange clay. Area B yielded a large square or rectangular building with three clear types of plaster floors and an orange clay area. Both Areas A and B include numerous lithics, bones, and some small finds. Based on a recent survey outward from the excavated area, the probable size of Abu Suwwan is 10.5 ha (26 acres), and it contains complex architecture with a long chronological sequence. These attributes suggest that Tell Abu Suwwan is one of the Jordanian Neolithic megasites.

introduction though the site contains a distinctive architecture, it shares various similarities with several other Levan- ell Abu Suwwan is a large Neolithic site in tine Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN) sites, e.g., Jericho T north Jordan; it is on the east side of the old (Kenyon 1956: 69–77; 1969), Tell Ramad (de Con- Jarash–Amman highway, immediately before tenson 1971: 278–85), Tell Abu Hureyra (Moore, the turn west to Ajlun (fig. 1). Hillman, and Legge 2000: 493), Tell Aswad (Cauvin Abu Suwwan was first recorded by Harding (1948) 2000: 39), Abu Ghosh (Lechevallier 1978: 57), Tell and subsequently tested in 1955 by Diana Kirkbride el-Kowm (Dornemann 1986), Yiftahel (Garfinkel (1958). More recently, Alan Simmons, Deborah Ols- 1987: 199–212), Nahal Hemar (Bar-Yosef and Alon zewski, and Zeidan Kafafi (1988) reported a small 1988), Nahal Oren (Stekelis 1951: 2–4), and Ash- surface collection from the site. Although the site has kelon (cited in Kuijt and Goring-Morris 2002: 415), been known and visited by both archaeologists and as well as Yarmoukian sites such as Byblos (Moore non-archaeologists for several decades, it had not 1973: 36–68; Cauvin 1968; Dunand 1973 cited in been intensively investigated until the recent Uni- Garfinkel 1993: 115–34), Sabi Abyad (Akkermans versity of Jordan excavations directed by the author. 1993), Munhatta (Perrot 1968: 406–19; Garfinkel The results of the 2005 and 2006 field seasons are 1993: 117), Shaºar Hagolan (Stekelis 1951: 1–19; reported here. Garfinkel 1993: 116–18), and Wadi Rabah (Kaplan The excavations confirm that Tell Abu Suwwan 1958; Gopher 1995: 211). Moreover, within the area dates to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) and surveyed at Abu Suwwan, a few el-Khiam points Pottery Neolithic (Yarmoukian) periods (table 1). Al- were found, which suggests that the site may also

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Fig. 1. Map of Jordan Neolithic sites, including the location of Tell Abu Suwwan.

Table 1. Tell Abu Suwwan 14C Dates to Areas A and B

Sample Lab. No. Cal. bc Cal. BP Period ASW.B.G6/7.7 Beta-230547 5360–5210 7310–7160 YARM ASW.A.D4.7 Beta-230544 6580–6420 8530–8370 LPPNB /PPNC ASW.B.J6.10/11 (1) Beta-230548 6840–6620 8800–8570 LPPNB /PPNC ASW.A.D4.6 (1) Beta-230543 6890–6830 8840–8780 LPPNB ASW.B.J6.10/11 (2) Beta-230548 6920–6880 8870–8830 LPPNB ASW.B.J6.10/11 (3) Beta-230548 7020–6930 8970–8880 LPPNB ASW.B.F6.13 Beta-230545 7060–6580 9010–8530 LPPNB ASW.A.D4.6 (2) Beta-230543 7470–6900 9420–8850 M/LPPNB Note: 2-sigma calibration (numbers in parentheses indicate split samples)

2010 A NEOLITHIC SITE IN JORDAN 3 contain PPNA layers, probably to the north of the Abu Nukhayla (Henry et al. 2003); and Yarmoukian excavated area. sites such as Abu Thawwab (Kafafi 1988), ºAin Ghazal Gebel (2004: 6) was one of the first to suggest that (Rollefson 1993; Rollefson and Köhler-Rollefson Tell Abu Suwwan was the only Neolithic megasite 1993; Rollefson, Simmons, and Kafafi 1992), Wadi north of ºAin Ghazal. Simmons (2007), based on his Shuºeib (Simmons et al. 2001), Tabaqat al-Buma (Ban- earlier survey information, estimated that the site could ning et al. 1992: 50–69; Banning et al. 1996: 31–43), be as large as 12.1 ha (30 acres) (Simmons 2007: 178, and ºAin Rahub (Muheisen et al. 1988: 493, 499; table 7.1). Kuijt (2000: 81), Gebel (2004: 7), and Kafafi 1993: 101–2). Simmons (2007: 176–79) all discuss the Neolithic Results of the 2005 and 2006 excavations at Tell megasite phenomenon in Jordan. The attributes they Abu Suwwan are described below. These are then use to describe megasites include (1) surface areas discussed in light of comparisons with the other Jor- that exceed 20 acres; (2) a location near springs on danian Neolithic megasites. a slope setting; (3) architectural complexity; (4) a thin layer of deposits commonly covering the site; project background (5) a Neolithic sequence that is continuous and un- interrupted; (6) architecture that seems to have been Kirkbride’s (1958) investigations in 1955 led her preplanned, is freestanding, and has agglutinated, to date the site to the Lower Palaeolithic, Middle often small, rooms; (7) structures seemingly made for Palaeolithic, and the Pre-Pottery Neolithic, although public and ritual use; (8) abandonment by the end of she noted that most of the lithics appear to pertain the Neolithic period; (9) regional diversity in terms to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B. Additionally, she ex- of social and political organization (as manifest in cavated a sounding to a maximum depth of 1.5 m. architecture), despite sharing of main components Numerous stone tools and a hearth were found in her among other megasites. These descriptive criteria also test trench, although she did not encounter architec- appear to characterize Tell Abu Suwwan. ture (Simmons, Olszewski, and Kafafi 1988: 15). Tell Abu Suwwan is the only Neolithic site exca- In 1984, Abu Suwwan was mentioned in the Tell vated north of the Zarqa River and, based on a recent al-Husn survey conducted by Albert Leonard (Site survey around the excavated area, its probable size 30). Leonard’s survey recovered lithic artifacts and is 10.5 ha (26 acres). It has complex architecture pottery sherds, and he divided the site into upper and with a long chronological sequence and contains an lower sections. Lithics were found mainly in the area that seems to have been used for ritual pur- northern part of the site (Leonard 1987: 359). The poses. These attributes indicate that Tell Abu Suwwan pottery sherds were dated to the Late Roman/Byzan- should be considered one of the Jordanian Neolithic tine period, while the lithic tools were dated to the megasites. PPN (Leonard 1987: 359–60). The architectural characteristics and the diagnos- In the summer of 1987, Alan H. Simmons, Debo- tic lithic artifacts discovered at Tell Abu Suwwan es- rah I. Olszewski, and Zeidan Kafafi surveyed the site tablish that the site was occupied continually from and collected some of the lithics found on the surface. the MPPNB to the Yarmoukian period. Similar con- Their study of the lithic collection indicated that the tinuity of site occupation is known at only two other tools were very similar to those known from the PPNA Neolithic sites in Jordan: ºAin Ghazal (Kafafi 2001b; and PPNB, with analogues to lithics in collections Simmons 2007: 176) and Wadi Shuºeib (Simmons from ºAin Ghazal, Bayda, and Tell Abu Thawwab in et al. 2001; Kafafi 2004: 115; Simmons 2007: 129). Jordan, as well as from Jericho in Palestine and Tell Tell Abu Suwwan also resembles other major PPNB Ramad in Syria. Moreover, Simmons, Olszewski, and and PN sites in Jordan, in terms of architectural ele- Kafafi (1988: 15–20) suggested that the site was also ments, lithic assemblages, and environmental settings, occupied during the early Pottery Neolithic (PN) pe- such as PPNB Bayda (Kirkbride 1966: 8–61), Basta riod and probably contained Neolithic architecture. (Gebel et al. 1988; Gebel et al. 2004), Baªja (Bienert Based on the above surveys, the University of and Gebel 2004), Ain Jammam (Fino 2004; Waheeb Jordan started its first field school season at the site and Fino 1997), Ghwair I (Najjar 1994: 78–82, Sim- in the summer of 2005. Excavations began in early mons 2007: 169–74), es-Sifiya (Mahasneh 2004: 45– July and ended at the end of August. A similar sched- 63), Khirbet Hammam (Peterson 2004: 334), and Ayn ule was followed during the summer of 2006.

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Fig. 2. Topographic map of Tell Abu Suwwan.

project methodology site. These data influenced the choice of initial excavation squares within each 5 x 5 m grid (al-Nahar During the 2005 season, the area in the northern 2006). In Area A, seven squares were excavated (D2, part of the site was divided into two sections—Area D3, E2, E3, F2, F3, and part of D5). In Area B, nine A is in the northwest part of the site and Area B is squares were excavated (F2, H4, H5, I4, I5, I6, J5, in the northeast part of the site (fig. 2). A 5 x 5 m grid J6, and G7, which was extended into G6 [for about was established in each area. Prior to excavation, a 1.5 m]). systematic archaeological survey was conducted in In the summer of 2006, the University of Jordan each area, with survey materials recorded using the undertook its second field season at the site. Based grid squares. In each area, 1 x 1 m test trenches were on the results from the 2005 season, a number of new excavated. Test trenches were planned so that they squares were opened and some squares from the intersected a corner of the 5 x 5 m grid. This allowed 2005 season were reopened for continued excava- insight into materials, stratigraphy, and features that tion. Additionally, several baulks were systemati- would possibly be encountered in each section of the cally excavated to clarify some of the stratigraphy in

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Fig. 3. Area “A” plan. the interior walls. In Area A (fig. 3), eight new width is 0.5 m. On the east side of this wall, three pits squares were excavated (A3, C4, D4, D5, V3, W3, with small-size stones were found connected with the Y3, and baulk [D3/C3] with part of C3). The re- wall. The mortar used for the three walls was a mix- opened squares from Area A were D3, D5, and E2. ture of mud and small stones. All the stone walls of In Area B, eleven new squares were excavated (F5, this structure were built directly on top of sterile soil. F6, F7, G5, G6, H6, H7, I7, J5, J6, and K6). The re- In Square D3, a mud floor with a distinct mud opened squares from Area B were H5, I5, I6, J5, and circular pit was found. The diameter of the pit is J6 (fig. 4). The excavated baulks in Area B were I6/ 40 cm and its depth is 20 cm. The mud floor yielded J6, I5/J5, I5/I4, and I5/H5. a large number of diagnostic lithic artifacts, including scrapers and burins. In the southeast side of the area a square, two large boulders were exposed; they appear to form a triangular (1.0 x 0.40 m) stair step. There- Structures and Features fore, it was decided to extend Square D3 toward the east and excavate both the D3 east baulk and Square During excavations in 2005 and 2006, three walls C3. This extended unit (D3/C3) has dimensions of in good condition were uncovered in Square E2 1.5 x 4 m. By the end of the 2006 season, a 3-m, one- (fig. 5). One of the walls extended east–west, with course, one single-leaf wall was uncovered in D3/ a length of about 2 m and a width of 0.5 m. This C3; this wall connected to the stair step found in wall joins with a second one, part of which was un- Square D3. Further excavations are planned to ex- covered in the 2005 season; excavations of this wall plore this feature and to follow the wall extension. continued in the 2006 season. The second wall runs In Square C4, an irregular feature made of small north–south and has a length of 1.5 m. It was made stones mixed with white plaster chunks was exposed of medium-size stones, consisting of two courses in in the southwest part of the square. Although further the northern section of the wall and one course near excavations are needed to understand its function, it the wall’s termination. In the east part of the square, might be related to the wall found in D3/C3. In a third wall running from north toward the south was Square D4, lumps of mud brick were scattered in the exposed during the 2006 season. It begins near the eastern part of the square on one of the mud floors. eastern end of the east–west wall but is not con- A wall fragment found during the 2005 excavation in nected to it. The third wall’s length is 2 m and its the south section seems to extend under the D4/D5

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Fig. 4. Area “A” structure, view from southeast to northwest. baulk. In the 2006 season, five hearths were found tunately, they were cracked and fractured into about in the southern part of Square D5; three of them are three pieces. This floor damage may have resulted on top of each other, which indicate several reuses from agriculture and cultivation practiced at the site of the area. In the northeast corner of Square D5, a over a lengthy period of time. This double plaster small portion of a white plaster floor appeared in floor must have been surrounded by walls, and it the section. It seems that the rest of the floor might seems either that local farmers removed these walls be located under the olive trees north of Area A. In or that they are still present in the surrounding unex- the west part of the square, what appears to be a large cavated squares. Additionally, the double floor indi- lime kiln was excavated in the 2005 season. This cates that this structure was reused at least once. feature is stratified as follows. At the top, there is In the west part of Area A, orange clay was found a thin layer of fine-powdered, compacted sediment. associated with a white plaster floor. The orange clay This layer overlies about 10 medium-size white chalky has the shape of a ring laid on the white plaster floor. stones and some limestone cobbles. Six of the stones It looks like a rim of a plate made of clay, probably are laid out in a straight line, while the others are dis- sun-dried, and later exposed to heat. Unfortunately, tributed randomly. Among these stones and under the area suffered considerable damage due to its prox- them, the hearth is filled with an ash layer mixed imity to the surface—the floor is about 15 cm below with very fine sediment. the modern ground surface. In the 2005 season, two well-made plaster floors stratified immediately on top of each other were Area B found in the northwest part of Square F3. The double plaster floors have a yellowish color; they were both Area B yielded a large square or rectangular struc- made of fine plaster clay mixed with gravel. Unfor- ture. Its north corner was uncovered during the 2005

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Fig. 5. Area “B” plan. season. The north corner points to true north in and gravels were used. For the exterior and the inte- Square I4 (ﬁgs. 5–6). rior sides of the walls, large, medium, and small stone sizes were used, chinked with a mud-gravel mortar. Exterior Walls The mortar was composed of mud mixed with plaster chunks, gravels, and pebbles. The walls forming the north corner are the exte- The north corner of the structure is formed by the rior walls of a large building. The west exterior wall northwest wall and the northeast wall; the northwest of the structure is present in Squares I4, J5, and J6, wall extends from the north corner toward the east and the north exterior wall is present in Squares I4, corner and its length is 12.5 m. The northeast wall H5, and G5. extends from the north corner to the east and its Most of the structure’s walls are intact and have a length is 11 m. The thickness of the exterior walls well-laid foundation. The walls were constructed ranges between 1.2 and 1.5 m. The northeast and with the same material and in the same way. Various northwest walls are preserved to a height of one or kinds of limestone and sandstone cobbles, pebbles, two courses and ranged from 25 to 60 cm.

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Fig. 6. Area “B,” general view from north to south.

The west corner is not clear yet; however, the Some of the wall dimensions of the southwest walls forming it were exposed during the 2005 and wall were revealed. The exposed length of the exte- 2006 seasons. The west corner of the structure was rior part of the southwest wall is about 8.5 m, but the formed by the northwest and southwest walls. The thickness has not yet been determined. From the ex- southwest wall extends from the west corner toward terior part of the southwest wall, one to four courses the south corner and its exposed length is 8.5 m. The were preserved. Therefore, the height of the south- south corner is not clear yet and awaits further exca- west wall ranged from 50 to 85 cm. vation in the future. The exterior angle of the structure’s west corner Interior Walls lies under the baulk; however, the interior angle was uncovered during the 2005 season. The interior part Five interior walls were excavated during the of the west corner was full of fallen stones and is 2006 excavation, all oriented northwest and all par- therefore difﬁcult to recognize in all of its dimen- allel to one another (ﬁg. 5). Four angles within the sions. In the 2006 season, some of the fallen stones interior walls appeared. Three of them are exposed were removed, and this exposed yet more of them. in Square I6, where two of them parallel each other, The west corner interior still needs further work to and both of these are formed of two northwest and resolve the confusion caused by the fallen walls. southwest walls running toward the west. The third

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A lower yellow floor was found in the south side of the structure. This floor is made of a coarse, yellow plaster mixed with small stones and gravel; it is 4 cm thick. A large number of diagnostic tools and a thick layer of carbonized organics were recovered from this surface. A smooth polished white and red plaster floor was exposed over a large area in the 2006 season in Squares I6, I7, H5, and H6. This plaster floor was well made, with a well-made foundation. The foundation is stratified into five layers under the plaster floors. The lowermost layer consists of a medium-size (ca. 20 x 10 cm) stone pavement; above this layer is a coarse, white plaster mixed with small-size (ca. 5 x 7 cm) stones. Overlying it is a coarse plaster mixed with gravel, and above that, a thin layer of fine plaster mixed with ash. At the top of the sequence of foundation layers is a smooth white plaster which is colored in some places with red ocher. It is clear that the interior walls were built on top of the red floor, indicating that the red floor is earlier than the interior walls and that the site was occupied by later groups who reused Fig. 7. A large bone sticking out of the orange clay vertically. the structure and remodeled its interior space.

Processing Area (Courtyard) corner is formed by the northwest wall and southwest wall running toward the south. The interior walls are This area lies to the east of the structure and in- intact, have a well-made foundation, and differ in cludes several spatial divisions. There is a process- construction from the exterior wall. The interior wall ing area with several stratified floors made from very consists of large, medium, and small stones, chinked small-size stones, pebbles, and fine gravels. A large with gravel. Limestone and sandstone were used to number of bones and lithic tools were found in asso- construct the building. For the exterior and the inte- ciation. To the east of the processing floor, a large rior sides of the walls, boulders and large, medium, hearth was found, and to the north, two bedrock mor- and small-size stones were used, while between the tars were uncovered. To the south of the processing courses, small-size stones and gravel were used. The area, a wall and a burned yellow plaster floor were walls’ mortar composition is mud mixed with plaster found, probably associated with the processing area. chunks, gravels, and pebbles. The thicknesses of the To the southeast a wall and a floor were encountered. interior walls range between 0.6 and 1.35 m. Why The floor includes large patches of burned orange there are differences in the thicknesses of the interior clay, with a large bone surrounded by small stones walls must await further excavation. sticking up vertically out of the floor (fig. 7). The wall has one course with eight large river cobbles. Structure Floors The clay area needs further delicate excavation to understand its function. Three types of plaster floors were found. The top- most is made of a powdery white plaster (huwwar) lithic and bone artifacts mixed with small-sized stones and plaster chunks. Patches of this floor appear in most of the structure Numerous lithics and many grinding stones were between the interior walls. Most of this white plaster recovered from Tell Abu Suwwan. Analysis of the (huwwar) floor seems to be damaged due to modern lithics is still incomplete, but all stages of lithic pro- agricultural activities in the area. duction appear to be represented, including a large

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Fig. 8. Naviform cores. number of cores of different types such as naviform 14). Moreover, a new scraper type was recognized blade cores, flakes, blades, bladelets, and tools (fig. at Tell Abu Suwwan by Deborah Olszewski and the 8). The lithic types found at the site confirm that the author, and designated the “Jarash Scraper.” These site has PPNB and Yarmoukian components. Lithic scrapers are generally made on blades and form an diagnostics consist of different types of arrowheads isosceles triangle in plan view. They are pointed at (figs. 9–12), sickle blades, a bifacial knife (fig. 13), the proximal end (possibly to facilitate hafting) and and several types of scrapers, including a large num- are abruptly retouched at the distal end to form a ber of tanged circular scrapers of different sizes (fig. straight line perpendicular to the axis of the blade.

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Fig. 9. Jericho arrowheads.

The ventral surface of the blade is usually not re- and incised (fig. 16). Finally, various stone art pieces, touched, although continuous, abrupt retouch is often such as figurine fragments and incised stones, were found on the edges. The scrapers at Tell Abu Suw- recovered. wan vary in size; lengths range from 3 to 6 cm, mea- sured along the long axis of the piece (fig. 15). discussion Animal bones were recovered in some quantity from the site. Some of the bones are from large mam- Survey of the area surrounding the 2005 and 2006 mals, such as cattle and horse, while others include excavations indicates that Tell Abu Suwwan extends dog and gazelle. Many horns of sheep/goat were over an area of about 10.5 ha (26 acres), an obser- found within the Area B structure close to the plaster vation that is in good agreement with both Gebel’s floors and usually next to the walls. In Square I5, a contention that it is the only Neolithic megasite north large, unidentified horn core was found adjacent to of ºAin Ghazal (2004: 6) and Simmons’ estimate of the west side of the northwest interior wall. Bone the site’s area as ca. 12.1 ha (30 acres) (2007: 178). tools were also found; some of them were decorated Both ºAin Ghazal and Tell Abu Suwwan are situated

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Fig. 10. Byblos arrowheads.

near springs of the Zarqa River; the contemporaneity features in architectural elements and lithic assem- of these two sites may suggest that there was, at the blages with other Jordanian PPNB and PPNC sites very least, a relationship that afforded exchange of (e.g., Bayda, Basta, Baªja, Ain Jammam, Ghwair I, information and possibly goods. es-Sifiya) as well as with Yarmoukian sites (e.g., Abu Moreover, the architectural elements and the arti- Thawwab (Kafafi 2001a: 24–64; 2004: 115). Several facts from Tell Abu Suwwan clearly indicate that examples are given below. the site was occupied continuously, beginning at the At Tell Abu Suwwan, in Area A, a small rectan- very least in the MPPNB—there are surface finds gular building with white plaster floors and poorly that suggest possible PPNA use of the site as well— fired orange clay was uncovered. Area B exposed a until sometime during the Yarmoukian period. The large rectangular structure (13.5 x 11 m). The com- megasites of ºAin Ghazal and Wadi Shuºeib (Sim- ponents of the Area B building (at least three clear mons 2007: 176–79) show a similar continuity of plaster floors and a poorly heated orange clay), the occupation. There also are clear parallels in the dates, dimensions of the walls, the faunal assemblage, lithic assemblages, and many of the architectural the lithic artifacts, and the pottery sherds all indi- elements from Tell Abu Suwwan to materials recov- cate that the site was occupied during the MPPNB, ered from both ºAin Ghazal and Wadi Shuºeib. More LPPNB, PPNC, and the Yarmoukian periods. Plaster broadly, Tell Abu Suwwan also shares many similar (huwwar) floors are a common structural feature at

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Fig. 11. Amuq arrowheads.

Fig. 13. Bifacial knife.

Fig. 12. Per-Sa and Helwan arrowheads.

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Fig. 14. Circular tanged scrapers. many PPNB sites; examples in Jordan include ºAin MPPNB and LPPNB architectural characteristics, Ghazal, Basta, and Ain Jammam (Telfah and Kafafi which have been summarized by several prehistori- 2003: 56; Banning 2003: 11; Rollefson 1993: 93– ans (e.g., Simmons 2007: 136, 138; Rollefson 1998: 94). The floors from these sites appear to be similar 111; Banning 2003: 9–11; Kuijt and Goring-Morris to the types of floors discovered in both Areas A and 2002: 390–407; Banning and Byrd 1987: 309–25) B at Tell Abu Suwwan. correspond to the architectural elements found in In Area B, the size of the red, smooth plaster floors Area B at Tell Abu Suwwan. The red plaster floor in (6.0 x 6.6 m) found in the eastern part of the ex- Area B seems to be from a large family dwelling cavation suggests that the site was founded during built during the MPPNB and consisting of a large the MPPNB and refloored during the MPPNB and room with an entrance at the north end. The entrance LPPNB. It is possible that, during the LPPNB, the leads to a spacious open area (processing area) which occupants of the site built the exterior wall of the contains a large hearth. The walls are made of large structure and added more interior walls to the west and medium-size limestone and sandstone and a mor- of the red plaster floor area. During the PPNC, they tar composed of mud and plaster chunks mixed with probably thickened the width of the interior walls small stones and gravels. This dwelling seems to and continued using the building until the end of the have been continuously used during the LPPNB. The Yarmoukian period. Rearrangement of interior space floors and the interior divisions were remodeled. and reflooring seem to be common during the MPPNB, The poor quality of the lime plaster, together with LPPNB, PPNC, and Yarmoukian periods (Kafafi 1993: the wide walls (ranging in width from 1.0 to 1.5 m) 108; Rollefson 1993: 94; Simmons 2007: 136, 138; found in the middle and west parts of the Area B Rollefson, Simmons, and Kafafi 1992: 452). structure, suggest occupation during the PPNC pe-

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Fig. 15. “Jarash scrapers.”

Area A was built on virgin soil and seems to be associated mainly with a Yarmoukian lithic assemblage. Furthermore, this building seems to be comparable to the Yarmoukian structures found at Abu Thawwab and ºAin Ghazal (Kafafi 1998: 131; 1993: 108–10). Additionally, the Yarmoukian powdery plaster (huwwar) floor in the eastern part of Area B at Tell Abu Suwwan resembles the Yarmoukian floors found at Abu Thawwab (Kafafi 2001a: 23–24 ), ºAin Ghazal, and Wadi Shuºeib (Kafafi 1993: 104). Fig. 16. Decorated and incised bone. These preliminary results from the 2005 and 2006 field seasons at Tell Abu Suwwan provide substantial riod at the site. Similar architectural elements are evidence for its designation as one of the Jordanian found at ºAin Ghazal (e.g., the PPNC “great wall” in Neolithic megasites. Further fieldwork will concen- the central field) (Rollefson and Köhler-Rollefson trate on clarifying the type of the architecture, study- 1993: 36, 38; Rollefson 1997; Bienert 2004: 34). ing its development from the MPPNB to the PN and Tell Abu Suwwan is ca. 20 km north of the site linking the artifact assemblages with the functions of of Abu Thawwab (Kafafi 2001a: 1). The Yarmoukian various structures. Future research also aims to put phase at Abu Thawwab seems to be contemporary Tell Abu Suwwan into its regional context, to try to with the Yarmoukian stratum at Tell Abu Suwwan, determine how it was related to other contemporary for several reasons. The rectangular structure in Jordanian Neolithic communities.

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acknowledgments

I would like to thank the University of Jordan for giving goes to Dr. Deborah Olszewski for editing this manuscript. me the chance to teach this field school and for their finan- My great gratitude also goes to Dr. Caroline Davis for cial support of the project. I am grateful to the Department helping me date the site. I am also grateful to Mr. Muath of Antiquities and its representatives for their great help al-Fuqaha (museum curator), Ms. Wijdan al-Saleem (CRM), and support, especially to its General Director, Dr. Fawaz and Mr. Mohammad Aady (photographer) at the Univer- al Khrisha. A special expression of gratitude is extended to sity of Jordan Museum. Thanks also to Mr. Fawwaz Su- Dr. Zeidan Kafafi for drawing my attention to Tell Abu Suw- hakat (architect) from Hashemite University. wan and for his academic advice. My deep appreciation

references

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