Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (16.2004(2005))

TELL ARBID

SYRIA

In the central part of the area, the
survey registered a number of oval-shaped
anomalies with diameters ranging from
1.50 to 5-00 m and amplitudes from — 5 to
30 nT [Fig. 2). The biggest density was
observed in squares F5 and G5 and in H9
and H10. Such anomalies could be related
to pits with ash-dominated filling and
while there was nothing on the surface to
support this interpretation, the discovery
of numerous pits of the kind in nearby
sector "A" provided a useful hint. These
pits were found at different depths and were
dated to Hellenistic times. Similar anom-
alies, if somewhat less distinct in outline,
were also recorded in the center of the pro-
spected area. They could correspond to de-
eper-lying pits of this kind.
The above-described anomalies, inter-
preted as pits, were the only relatively in-
disputable archaeological features seen on
the map. They could be connected with the
extent of the settlement in Hellenistic times.
The remaining anomalies were largely a re-
flection of agricultural activities: narrow
lines oriented N-S, found all over the map,
corresponded to deep-plowing furrows,
while three linear anomalies, also oriented
N-S, extending between squares E5-H5,
E8-H8 and Ell-Hll, corresponded to
field boundaries (observed as slightly rising
ground). Lines at an angle to the plow
lines, discernible over much of the south-
eastern part of the area (between squares
110, J12 and 114) and in its western part
(between Gl-Hl, F2 and H4), should also
be understood as the outcome of changes in
surface relief, presumably caused by the use
of heavy equipment (caterpillar tractor?).
The interpretation of the northern part
of the map (the survey was carried out im-

mediately next to trenches in sector "A")
was impeded by disturbances caused by the
presence of metal waste presumably dis-
carded by the inhabitants of the nearby vil-
lage. Even so, the magnetic map reveals pos-
sible building remains — linear anomalies
intersecting at right angles in square C9-
AREA B
The prospection in search of evidence for
the existence of a settlement on the west-
ern slope of the tell covered 0.8 ha. Mainly
agricultural activities in the form of plow
marks and heavy-equipment use were ref-
lected on the magnetic map. In the south-
ern part of the area, a series of anomalies
appears to have been generated by the
presence of metal objects. The only anom-
alies not in connection with surface relief
were one oval anomaly possibly correspond-
ing to a pit in the central part of the area
and elongated anomalies with indistinct
edges recorded in the southern part of the
area.
AREA C
Measurements covered 0.68 ha of ground
in two parts, separated by the road. The sur-
vey on the slope (in the southern part of the
area) was meant to test the method in re-
gistering remains of architecture where it
evidently exists, as confirmed by excava-
tions in the area immediately to the south
(sectors "SD"4 and "SR",5 where 3rd-mil-
lennium BC architecture was discovered).
South of the road, a series of anomalies
of more or less rectangular shape, best vi-
sible in square F5 (less distinct in squares
G5-G6), could not be explained by any-
thing observed on the ground. It could
be interpreted as remains of architecture
[Fig. 3]. Linear anomalies running parallel

4 See P. Bielinski, PAM X, Reports 1998 (1999), 213; id., PAM XI, Reports 1999 (2000), 281-284; id., PAM XV, Reports
2003 (2004), 338-345.
5 Bielinski, PAM X, op. cit., 211-212; id., PAM XI, op. cit., 284; id., PAM XIII, Reports 2001 (2002), 290-291.

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