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Tell Qaramel: Excavations 2009 Title: Tell Qaramel: excavations 2009 Author(s): Ryszard F. Mazurowski Journal: Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 21 (Research 2009) Year: 2012 Pages: 559-582 ISSN 1234–5415 (Print), ISSN 2083–537X (Online) ISBN 978–83–235–1144–1 Publishers: Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw (PCMA UW), Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego (WUW) www.pcma.uw.edu.pl – www.wuw.pl TELL QARAMEL EXCAVATIONS 2009 Ryszard F. Mazurowski Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw Abstract: The deepest levels of Protoneolithic occupation were explored in Squares J-7b,d and K-7 during the 11th season of excavations on the site of Tell Qaramel. The oldest structure (Loc. 71), possibly of Epipaleolithic date, discovered so far proved to be a kind of oval hut with a round central hearth and a foundation deposit concealed nearby. Further exploration of squares L-5 and L-4/M-4 concentrated on layers from the Late and Middle Pre-Pottery Neolithic A. Finds represented different material categories, including a clay sun-dried human figure. Keywords: Tell Qaramel, Protoneolithic, tower/shrine, building techniques Tell Qaramel excavations 2008 SYRIA TELL QARAMEL ExCAVATionS 2009 Ryszard F. Mazurowski Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw Abstract: The deepest levels of Protoneolithic occupation were explored in Squares J-7b,d and K-7 during the 11th season of excavations on the site of Tell Qaramel. The oldest structure (Loc. 71), possibly of Epipaleolithic date, discovered so far proved to be a kind of oval hut with a round central hearth and a foundation deposit concealed nearby. Further exploration of squares L-5 and L-4/M-4 concentrated on layers from the Late and Middle Pre-Pottery Neolithic A. Finds represented different material categories, including a clay sun-dried human figure. Keywords: Tell Qaramel, Protoneolithic, tower/shrine, building techniques The eleventh season of excavations at Tell squares J-7b,d and K-7 [Fig. 1], where the Qaramel, which was conducted in 2009, oldest (fifth in the sequence) tower/shrine continued the exploration of the deepest was explored in the previous two seasons. levels of Protoneolithic occupation in The internal part of the above mentioned Fig. 1. Tell Qaramel. Squares excavated in 2009 559 PAM 21, Research 2009 Ryszard F. Mazurowski SYRIA tower and its walls were examined to Further exploration of squares L-5 and ascertain the building technique. Remains L-4/M-4 concentrated on layers from the of the presumed oldest occupation of the Late and Middle Pre-Pottery Neolithic site, the still poorly recognized Middle A, severely disturbed by later occupation Epipaleolithic culture, are expected in this from the Early and Middle Bronze Age as area. well as Iron Age. SQUARES J-7B,D/K-7A,C Trench supervisor: Marcin Białowarczuk Culturally sterile soil was reached in red mud. Two features on the top of this the explored part of the two trenches mud confluence encompassed a posthole, (K-7b,d was not excavated), uncovering approximately 0.30 m in diameter and two features belonging to two successive about 0.60 m deep, and a round hearth, occupational levels. approximately 0.60 m in diameter and about 0.10 m deep, containing a thin layer STRATUM V, LEVEL 15 of charcoal covered by small pebbles. The Completed exploration of the western part structures were located in the northern of Loc. 65 (tower/shrine) indicated that the end of square J-7b,d and were connected locus was partly sunk into culturally sterile with the older stage of level 15 (Facies B). Team Dates of work: 29 March-12 May 2009 Directors: Associate professor Ryszard F. Mazurowski (Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw), Dr. Youssef Kanyou, anthropologist (DGAM Damascus, National Museum Aleppo) Archaeologists: Qaies Abbout George (DGAM Damascus, National Museum Aleppo), Marcin Białowarczuk (Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw), Joanna Gawrońska (freelance), Artur Grabarek (Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw) Student trainees: Ewa Cygan, Aneta Czubińska, Bartłomiej Paprocki, Julita Rękawek (all from the Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw), Hamza Salim Ibrahim Mohammad (Aleppo University) Photographer: Piotr Piwowarski (freelance) Acknowledgments The eleventh season of excavations at Tell Qaramel was the continuation of a joint project of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw and the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums of Syria with some financial support from the Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw. We would like to express our many words of thanks to Dr. Bassam Jamaus Director General of Antiquities and Museums of Syria, and Dr. Michael Al-Maqdissi, Director of Excavations Department in DGAM for their kindness and permanent help. We also send many worm words of thanks to the staff of the Regional Directorate of Antiquities and Museums in Aleppo and its Director, Dr. Nadim Fakesh. 560 PAM 21, Research 2009 Tell Qaramel excavations 2008 SYRIA Fig. 2. Square J-7/K-7. Plan of the oldest structure Loc. 71 (top) and view after exploration; top right, provisional reconstruction drawing (Drawing M. Białowarczuk, photo R.F. Mazurowski) 561 PAM 21, Research 2009 Ryszard F. Mazurowski SYRIA Sieving of the fill produced no artifacts six short tubular (XVIA2a) beads made suggestive of a connection with the oldest of chlorite was discovered in one of the Qaramelian occupation, that is, Natufian postholes, possibly a kind of foundation culture. No microliths were found among deposit [Fig. 3]. The absence of lumps of the flint materials from the described levels. clay and other building materials suggests that the walls and roof of the described STRATUM VI, LEVEL 16 structure were made of wooden posts and Level 16 is connected with the oldest, animal skins or other organic materials. most probably Middle Epipaleolithic A posthole in the center of hut, just beside occupation. It contained only one structure the hearth, can be identified as the place of (Loc. 71), a kind of oval hut approximately a central roof support. Six small postholes 4.60 m by 3.00 m, covered by the 0.70 m inside the structure, about 0.15–0.20 m thick confluence of red mud described in diameter and not deeper than 0.05– above [Fig. 2]. It consists of a round 0.10 m, could have formed some kind of central hearth, about 0.90 m in diameter, internal division, like the ones known from additionally enclosed by a low mud wall. modern Bedouin tents. Ten postholes, about 0.3–0.5 m in diameter Locus 71 was situated directly under and about 0.25–0.3 m deep, were spread the center of the oldest tower (Loc. 65). symmetrically around this hearth. A set of Its remains were covered by confluence Fig. 3. Square J-7/K-7. Pit 5/09 in the upper part of Loc. 71; inset, necklace made of chlorite short cylindrical beads found in one of the postholes (Photo R.F. Mazurowski) 562 PAM 21, Research 2009 Tell Qaramel excavations 2008 SYRIA mud during the occupational hiatus a shift of the settlement to the west. The between the Middle Epipaleolithic and flint material has so far not been sufficient early Protoneolithic. The later location for the cultural identification of this oldest of a “special” building as well as other level of the Qaramelian settlement. Four tower/shrines in the vicinity may reflect radiocarbon dates provide a cautious date deep memory of a special house or proto– in the period of 15,000–12,000 BP conv. shrine located on culturally sterile ground Testing under Loc. 71 in square J-7b,d at the beginning of village occupation. confirmed the total absence of any earlier The observed hiatus between Middle structures or artifacts. Exploration of Epipaleolithic and early Protoneolithic square K-7b,d will be continued in the occupation could also be connected with upcoming season. SQUARE L-5 Trench supervisor: Artur Grabarek (temporarily Marcin Białowarczuk) Two levels of occupation, 2 and 3, STRATUM III, LEVEL 2 belonging to the PPNA stratum III Loci 18 and 24 from level 2 represented were excavated. The remains were best early PPNA occupation [Fig. 5a,b]. Locus preserved in the eastern and southern 18 was located in the northeastern corner part of the trench. The other parts of the of the square; a small part of it disappeared square (about 70%) were destroyed by into the eastern trench wall. The western pits and stony debris connected with the part was explored. It was a round structure, Early Bronze Age 4. Among them were about 4 m in diameter with a wall the remains of a stone structure (Loc. approximately 0.30–0.40 m thick, made 25) situated in the western part of the of pebbles plastered with beige mud. The square, about 3.50 m from the southern floor was made of a layer of mud with lime trench wall [Fig. 4]. The feature proved on a bedding of pebbles. A hearth with to be a grave containing the remains of walls of red mud was found, the fill inside four female and six male skeletons, all of it containing gray ash and charcoal mixed adult age. All of the skulls were placed with animal bones of different species, in the northern part of the grave, some very similar to the fill of the structure inside a storage jar and some outside. itself. Two querns were recovered from the The earthenware grave goods included dismantling of the west wall. bowls, vessels and mugs. There were also The partly sunkenL ocus 24 was located three bronze pins. The burials were laid on in the southeastern corner of square L-5. loose brown soil mixed with pebbles and Its southern part was destroyed by a pit fragments of pottery.
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