Neolithic: The end of Late Neolithic II
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The erosive events in sector 2
A series of violent erosive events affected the southern slope of the tell, causing the accumulation of successive stone beds at its foot, sandwiched between layers of colluvium. At least two major events can be distinguished: the older one took place around 4200-4000 BC, i.e. at the extreme end of the Late Neolithic II period, as shown by C14 dates
It covers locally the remains of a habitation level dating from an earlier stage of the same period, around 4500-4300 BC.
The collapsed stones thus obviously come from a pre-existing structure situated higher and closer to the centre of the tell. Perhaps this was part of a surrounding Neolithic wall, outside of which the settlement would have expanded in this given period.
The date of the second event has not yet been established, but it is certain that a long period of inactivity separates it from the previous one. This hiatus is attested by the presence of a thick paleosol between the two stone beds. Similar remains (stone beds, layers of colluvium) have also come to light on the other sides of the tell, especially in the southwest (sectors III and IV), but a relationship between these and the events recorded in sector 2 has not been proven.
Last Update : 2/02/12 |
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