TELL QARAMEL

SYRIA

STRATUM II
A substantial architectural unit possibly
dating from the Late Bronze or Early Iron
Age was uncovered in level 3 (Figs. 3,4)-
The main feature of the structure was a large
courtyard paved with pebbles and cob-
blestones, and covered with whitish lime
plaster (loc. 6: 9-20 m E-W and 12.8 m N-S).
Foundation walls of stone were identified
around it on the north, east and part of the
south side (W6, W10, W14, W13 and
W19). There was an entrance, 1.10 m wide
and equipped with a door socket and large
threshold stone, in the east wall (W13).
A stone platform foundation, c. 0.25 m
high, lined the north wall, just inside the
entrance; it was 1.20 m wide and at least
5 m long. The pavement and walls had been
damaged substantially by Iron Age pits.

STRATUM III
A hiatus occurred between the upper levels
and the structures of level 4; it was
characterized by a thick reddish layer of
decayed mud-brick walls dated by pottery
to the Middle Bronze Age.
The big rectangular pavement in level 4
(loc. 18), approximately 4 m E-W and at
least 5 m N-S, was located in the middle
and north of the square (Fig. 3). It was
paved with small flat stones set in a layer of
clay. Potsherds and animal bones were
found littering the surface.
The walls around this pavement on the
west, east and south (W25, W26, W29),
as well as four other walls (W22, W24,
W28, W30), obviously belonged to
a multi-roomed house, parts of which had
already been excavated in squares J-7 and


Fig. 3. Square K- 7. Plan of features in stratum III, level 4
(Drawing A. Reiche, M. Bialowarczuk)

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