Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (16.2004(2005))

TELL QARAMEL

SYRIA

short grooves; two large elongated polishing
stones (IXA); five grinding, polishing and
'kitchen' plates (2-IXB1, 3-IXB2); four
ovoid maceheads (XC1); three slender
pebbles with one pointed end and the other
broad end used as grinder (XIB); four awls
(XIC2) including one decorated form; two
decorated miniature chisels (XID) made of
chlorite; an elongated pebble with negatives
of blows at the ends (XIIA1); two natural
pebbles with lateral surfaces covered with
scars (XIIF); six bowls, three conical
(XTVA1) and three hemispherical (XIVA2)
including a fragment decorated in Jerf el-
Ahmar style; 12 oval (XVA) or rectangular
(XVC) shaft straighteners made of chlorite,
ten of them magnificently decorated with
geometrical or zoomorphic motifs; various
tubular beads (XVIAla, XVIA2a); barrel-
shaped bead; five pendants made of natural
pebbles (XVIB1); two rings (XVID1);

circular disc with three holes (XVIE3); three
ornamented plaquettes (XVIK); rectangular
bead separator (XVIL1); decorated lunar-
shaped bead joiner (XVIM); limestone stele
with four symmetrically arranged depres-
sions (from the ’grill-house1 niche).
A small lump of copper was discovered
in the fill of loc. 30 in square K-7.
Basalt remained the predominant raw
material for the production of heavy duty
tools, followed by limestone and sporadically
calcareous mudstone. Such forms as pestles,
celts, shaft straighteners and some categories
of the more common ornaments were made
of chlorite pebbles and sporadically 'green-
stone1 (diabase).
Most of these artifacts were found reused
in walls and floors or in the fill of the
buildings. Only a few could be connected
with habitation floors inside the houses or
were discovered in situ in the courtyards.

BONE MATERIAL

The animal bone assemblage from this
season, noticeably smaller than in previous
years, represented virtually only PPNA
layers. The material testified to the
presence in the settlement of cattle,
sheep/goats, horses, donkeys, dogs, cats,
gazelle, wild pigs and birds. The most
interesting discovery was a deposit of
auroch skulls inside loc. 36 in square K-7.
A small number of shells was also
discovered.
The bone material included a few tools,
mostly of careless execution, the most
characteristic ones being borers, awls,
needles, beads and whistles. Some of them
bore traces of polishing and/or ornaments.
There was also one small fragment of a
miniature vessel [Fig. II] and two points.
As regards human bones, a deposit of
three human skulls was found in the wall of


Fig. 11. Miniature stone vessel
(Drawing E. Hander)

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