Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

TELL QARAMEL

SYRIA

TELL QARAMEL
EXCAVATIONS 2006
Ryszard F. Mazurowski

The eighth season of excavations at Qaramel took place from 4 April to 18 May 2006. The
Syro-Polish Archaeological Mission was a joint undertaking of the Polish Centre of
Mediterranean Archaeology of the University of Warsaw and the Directorate General of
Antiquities and Museums of Syria, partly financed by the University Warsaw Institute of
Archaeology.1
Exploration continued of Early Aceramic layers, representing the Pre-Pottery Neolithic
A (PPNA) horizon in traditional terminology and designated as Qaramelian on our site,
as well as some older structures from the Proto-Neolithic, meaning Proto-Qaramelian. Field
activities were concentrated on the southern slope and foot of the tell, around the two towers
(squares J-7,J-8, K-7) and the 1shrinelcommon house1 (K-3/4, L-3/4)■ New squares (L-4b,d
/ M-4a,c and L-3) were opened east of completed squares K-5b,d and K-3,4 / E-3,4, in an
area where younger-occupation layers from the Bronze and Iron ages are less extensively
represented (for a plan of the site, see Fig. 1 in Mazurowski 2007: 484). Well preserved
levels of the Proto-Qaramelian and Qaramelian settlement are expected here, hopefully
contributing to studies of aspects of spatial organization in Aceramic Neolithic villages.

Expressions of gratitude are due Dr. Bassam Jammous, Director General of Antiquities and Museums in Syria, and
Dr. Michel Al-Maqdissi, DGAM Excavations Department Director, Damascus, for their help, kindness and hospitality.
The mission is indebted to the staff of the Regional Directorate of Antiquities and Museums in Aleppo and its Director,
Dr. Nadim Fakesh, in particular.
Co-directors Ryszard F. Mazurowski (stone finds; photographic documentation) and Youssef Kanjou (processing of
human bones) managed a team which included on the Polish side, archaeologists Marcin Biaiowarczuk (special-finds
registrar; trench supervisor in squares J-7 and K-7), Aneta Czubinska, Joanna Gawronska (registrar; trench supervisor
in squares K-3/4, L-3/4, M-4 a,c) Artur Grabarek (trench supervisor in squares K-3/4, L-3/4, M-4 a,c), Piotr
Karczmarek (flint objects; trench supervisor in square J-8 b,d), Renata Maskowicz (documentalist), Magdalena
Nowakowska (trench supervisor in square L-5), Bartlomiej Paprocki (preliminary processing of animal and human
bones). The Syrian side was represented by Muhammad Fakhrou and engineer Youssef Al-Dabti from the Regional
DGAM in Aleppo.

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