Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (19.2007(2010))

TELL QARAMEL

SYRIA

2003: 323-325). It is latest to arrive in the
southern Levant. Between 9150 and
8550 BC calibrated, this technique can be
observed first in ZAD 2 (Edwards et alii
2004) [Fig. lc\ and then in Netiv Hagdud
(Bar-Yosef, Gopher 1997). During the
Earl PPNB, this technique developed
further in the Taurus region, as attested
by some dwellings from Nevali ((lori
(Hauptmann 1988).
DOUBLE ROW TECHNIQUE WITH
INTERNAL FILLING
The next stage in the development of stone
wall construction is distinguished by two
perpendicular single-stone alignments which
form the wall faces. The two rows of stones
stand at a distance from each other and the
space between them is filled with crushed
stones and mud [Fig. le\. The thickness of
such walls is 0.50-0.60 m or more. Same as in
the double row technique, these walls are
built on foundations made of big, flat stones.
Buildings constructed in this way have the
same functions as those described in the
previous group.
The pattern of development of this
technique in the early Neolithic is completely
different. The earliest examples known so far
come from Tell Qaramel; the technique is
represented in the lower parts of Towers I and
II, the latter one being radiocarbon-dated to
8340+/-85 be (uncalibrated) (Mazurowski
et alii forthcoming). Another early Neolithic
site is ((iayonu Tepesi in southeastern
Anatolia, where during the PPNA/PPNB
transitional phase the double row technique
with internal fill was used for building the
foundations of “grill houses”. A continuation
of this technique appears again in (Qyonu
Tepesi during the Late PPNB and PPNC
stages (Shrimer 1990).
Significantly, the technique is often used
side by side with one of the other described
techniques in the construction of a single

building. The choice of technique is
obviously governed by intended wall
function. And so, external walls are almost
always built using the double row technique
or double row technique with internal
filling, while internal walls are usually built
using the single row technique. This is an
optimal solution. External walls are usually
thick and strong because their main function
is to insulate house interiors from weather
conditions and to transfer the load of the
roof onto the ground. Internal walls, on the
other hand, divide up space inside a house
and, if the house is large, support the roof as
well. For these tasks, a single-row wall is
entirely sufficient.
Such a diversification of construction
techniques within a single house is seldom
encountered in early Neolithic architecture.
Walls were usually built in one technique.
Among the rare exceptions are some
buildings from PPNB Beidha (Kirkbride
1966).
BUILDING STONE ARRAY
Many variants of these three techniques exist.
A common feature is the careful choice and
preparation of building material. Even if
a wall looks messy, the blocks or stones used
in its construction are fitted tightly. When
the stone raw material is used without
preparation, the gaps between stones are
often packed with small pebbles or pieces of
rocks. These efforts seem to have served the
purpose of strengthening the walls in order
to make them higher. Wall strength has
always been an issue in the Near East,
the region being an earthquake-prone
zone since prehistoric times. Building
stone array is thus an important criterion
for distinguishing wall types, which fall into
two principal categories: disordered and
ordered arrangements.
The disordered stone arrangement
features a chaotic and haphazard array of

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