DOI issue:
Syria
DOI article:Białowarczuk, Marcin: Early neolithic wall construction techniques in the light of ethnographical observations on the architecture of the modern syrian village of Qaramel
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42093#0596
TELL QARAMEL
SYRIA
stones that are all of different shapes and sizes
[Fig. 2a]. Natural stones and pebbles are
frequently used in this kind of wall, together
with partly dressed stones and even worn or
broken heavy stone tools, such as basalt
mortars [Fig. 2b]. This stone array is
characteristic of most Neolithic structures,
especially the oldest ones.
The stones in the ordered arrangement
are not dressed as a rule, but they are selected
for shape and size [Fig. 2c]. They are usually
arranged in courses. A number of subtypes
can be distinguished: walls made of small
regular pebbles; structures made of big or
midsize stones; and finally, mixed structures
in which courses of big, carefully selected
blocks alternate with rows of small pebbles or
chunks of rocks [Fig. 2d].
The first two subtypes are characteristic
of early Neolithic settlements at Gilgal
Fig. 2. Building stone array: Λ) modern exaynple ofdisordered array, Qaramel village; B) fragment of
basalt mortar used in wall construction, Qaramel village; Cj modern example of ordered array,
Qaramel village; D) modern example of mixed technique with rows of selected big blocks
separated by two rows of pebbles, Qaramel village; E) Early Neolithic example of mixed
technique: two rows of pebbles separating rows of selected big blocks, Beidha, Jordan
(Photos M. Bialowarczuk)
590
Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007
SYRIA
stones that are all of different shapes and sizes
[Fig. 2a]. Natural stones and pebbles are
frequently used in this kind of wall, together
with partly dressed stones and even worn or
broken heavy stone tools, such as basalt
mortars [Fig. 2b]. This stone array is
characteristic of most Neolithic structures,
especially the oldest ones.
The stones in the ordered arrangement
are not dressed as a rule, but they are selected
for shape and size [Fig. 2c]. They are usually
arranged in courses. A number of subtypes
can be distinguished: walls made of small
regular pebbles; structures made of big or
midsize stones; and finally, mixed structures
in which courses of big, carefully selected
blocks alternate with rows of small pebbles or
chunks of rocks [Fig. 2d].
The first two subtypes are characteristic
of early Neolithic settlements at Gilgal
Fig. 2. Building stone array: Λ) modern exaynple ofdisordered array, Qaramel village; B) fragment of
basalt mortar used in wall construction, Qaramel village; Cj modern example of ordered array,
Qaramel village; D) modern example of mixed technique with rows of selected big blocks
separated by two rows of pebbles, Qaramel village; E) Early Neolithic example of mixed
technique: two rows of pebbles separating rows of selected big blocks, Beidha, Jordan
(Photos M. Bialowarczuk)
590
Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007