Preliminary Results of Stratified Late Epipalaeolithic Sites within Looting Pits at Al Teibeh, Southern Syria

Bibliographic Data

ID6016464
AuthorsAmal Al Kassem (0009-0006-8394-004X), Andreas Maier (0000-0002-5021-3341), J Richter (0000-0002-9105-5781), Dennis T Batz, Kristen Hopper (0000-0002-3656-4305), Ismael M Ibraheem (0000-0001-6228-246X)
Year2025
Volume51
Pages205-220
Publication date2025-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePaléorient (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0153-9345 • E-ISSN: 1957-701X
PublisherOpenEdition (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.4000/150sf
OpenAlexW4415698643
LanguageEN
References cited34

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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Open DOIOpen Access