Preliminary Results of Stratified Late Epipalaeolithic Sites within Looting Pits at Al Teibeh, Southern Syria
The Al Teibeh area has emerged as a significant contributor to our archaeological understanding of the Late Epipalaeolithic period (ca. 14,500–11,500 cal BP), thanks to new, substantial evidence. This study presents preliminary results from an investigation into looting pits at the Al Mintar and Om...
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| Pubblicato in: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/paleorient, |
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| Autori principali: | , , , , , |
| Natura: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Lingua: | Anglais |
| Pubblicazione: |
Paléorient
2025
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| Soggetti: | |
| Accesso online: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Riassunto: | The Al Teibeh area has emerged as a significant contributor to our archaeological understanding of the Late Epipalaeolithic period (ca. 14,500–11,500 cal BP), thanks to new, substantial evidence. This study presents preliminary results from an investigation into looting pits at the Al Mintar and Om Sanam sites, which are located to the south and southwest of the town of Al Teibeh in southern Syria. These sites are prime examples of the scale of the disaster and the irreparable loss to Syria’s archaeological record. However, examination of a looting pit (Pit 2) at Al Mintar revealed a discernible stratigraphy, unveiling an in situ accumulation of bone and stone artefacts alongside bedrock mortars and pestles surrounding the pit. Preliminary indications of circular structures and lithic toolkits, probably dating to the Late Natufian period, were also recorded. In contrast, the looting pit at Om Sanam primarily yielded lithic toolkits, particularly lunate tools, which were collected from its periphery. The stratigraphic sequence and concentration of stone and bone artefacts within the looting pits, particularly at Al Mintar, suggest multiple phases of site occupation. This evidence deserves further investigation through future excavations. |
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