Naowar Ahmad; Farshid Iravani Ghadim; Ahmad Aliyari; Mohsen Mohammadi Achachluei
Abstract
One of the most significant Neolithic sites in southwestern Syria is Tell Aswad. This site was excavated by DeContenson and Stordeur, and a limited number of pottery sherds were recovered. ...
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One of the most significant Neolithic sites in southwestern Syria is Tell Aswad. This site was excavated by DeContenson and Stordeur, and a limited number of pottery sherds were recovered. The excavators initially attributed the pottery sherds from Tell Aswad to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN) period. However, typological studies conducted by the authors revealed that these sherds can be assigned to the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, and historical periods. The primary objective of this research is to establish a typology of Tell Aswad pottery based on form and manufacturing techniques. Additionally, the study aims to determine the precise dating of the Tell Aswad pottery using both pottery analysis and the thermoluminescence dating method. To achieve this, the research seeks to address the following questions: How can the Tell Aswad pottery be explained in terms of typology and structure? How can an absolute dating be provided for Tell Aswad, determined using the thermoluminescence technique? In this study, a typological analysis based on form and construction techniques, combined with thermoluminescence testing, was conducted. The pottery findings from Tell Aswad were analyzed based on their form and construction techniques. The results revealed that the pottery from this site exhibits a limited variety in terms of form and decorative techniques. However, in terms of construction techniques, it appears that the potters of Tell Aswad possessed a high level of expertise in pottery-making. Based on the thermoluminescence dating results, it can be concluded that while settlement in Tell Aswad began during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN) period, the pottery findings represent occupation periods ranging from the Neolithic up to the historical period.
