Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (12.2000(2001))

TELL QARAMEL

SYRIA

The earliest oval-type structure was
uncovered at the northern edge of the
trench. Its enclosure was made of stones
bonded with clay and plastered from
outside (Fig. 6). Its floor was hollowed
funnel-like to c. 1.5 m below the
foundation level of the enclosing wall. Its
entrance opened to the south and was
flanked by stone walls (surviving as

foundations). The fill yielded numerous
flints, bones, stones and pottery sherds,
the latter including plenty of fine ware
typical of EB IV (ring-based goblets with
ribbed decoration). The flint and stone
artifacts, however, are still very much
PPNA-related in form (mostly blades);
this could be suggestive of their secondary
position.

POTTERY FROM THE STEP-TRENCH

At the time of writing, the following
provisional conclusions could be drawn
concerning the pottery assemblage
retrieved this year from the trenches
situated on the southern slope of the
tell.

The youngest layers contain sherds,
possibly of the Late Bronze/Iron Age
periods. These include a red-slipped
burnished bowl and plate fragments, as well
as storage jars with raised band and
impressed decoration.


Fig. 6. Tell Qaramel. Square K-5. Stratum III. View of the oval building from the south
(Photo R.F. Mazurowski)

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