The Early PPNB (pre-pottery Neolithic B) period is crucial to the understanding of the emergence of farming in the Levant. The process of domestication of animals and plants characterises PPNB communities, and is associated with the...
moreThe Early PPNB (pre-pottery Neolithic B) period is crucial to the understanding of the emergence of farming in the Levant. The process of domestication of animals and plants characterises PPNB communities, and is associated with the appearance of complex buildings, the transition from rounded to squared houses and the appearance of technological (i.e. naviform debitage or long tanged projectile points) and symbolic innovations (i.e. the generalisation of human iconography) (Gopher 1996; Cauvin 1997; Coqueugniot 2000; Strodeur & Abbès 2002). In spite of its centrality to the understanding of domestication and permanent settlement, the Early PPNB remains poorly understood, especially in the central and southern Levant (Kuijt & Goring-Morris 2002; Edwards et al. 2005). A new research project has recently been set up at Tell Qarassa to fill this gap.
Tell Qarassa is located to the south of the Leja region (Figure 1), 20km west of the city of Sweida, next to a dry lake surrounded by archaeological sites from different periods (Natufian, PPNB, PN, Bronze and Iron Ages). In 2007, the Syrian-French Archaeological Mission directed by Frank Braemer (CNRS) discovered extremely well preserved PPNB architectural remains on the northern tell. In 2009, the Spanish team directed by Juan José Ibáñez (IMF-CSIC) took over the excavation of the PPNB levels of Tell Qarassa North as part of a collaborative project with the Syrian-French Mission.
