Book

Villages in the steppe: later Neolithic settlement and subsistence in the Balikh Valley, northern Syria

International Monographs in Prehistory • Ann Arbor, Mich. • Published In 1993 • Pages: xv, 351

By: Akkermans, Peter M. M. G..

Abstract

Akkermans describes his survey and excavation work in the Balikh river valley. The sites described date from the Balikh I (Pre-Pottery Neolithic circa 7500 BC) to the Balikh V (late Chalcolithic period 3500-3000 BC). Several of the sites have occupations which date to the Halaf period (Sabi Abyad, Damishliyya, and Khirbet esh-Shenef). Akkermans dates the Halaf period from around 5200 BC to around 4500 BC (or 7200 BP to 6500 BP) mostly because he follows the convention of using uncorrected radiocarbon dates. In examining the Halaf period Akkermans was able to excavate several sites (or tells) and surface collect artifacts from dozens of other Neollithic sites within the valley. This allows Akkermans to discuss the settlement system, the subsistence economy and strategies, production, exchange (mostly of ceramics), and social organization in the valley and compare these findings to Halafian sites elsewhere in Turkey, Syria, and Iran. Akkermans emphasizes the excavation data from Sabi Abyad more than the other sites as this site produced better data from the Halafian period.

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

Middle East

Sub Region

Middle East

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Sarah Berry; 2006

Field Date

survey 1983; fieldwork 1984-1986 and 1988

Coverage Date

Halaf period; 7200 BP-6500 BP uncalibrated (5200 BC-4500 BC uncalibrated)

Coverage Place

Balikh valley, northern Syria

Notes

by Peter M.M.G. Akkermans

Originally published: Amsterdam : Universiteit van Amsterdam, Faculteit der Ruimtelijke Wetenschappen, 1990

Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral)--Amsterdam, 1990

Includes bibliographical references (p. 325-351)

LCCN

93040086

LCSH

Halaf culture--Balikh River Valley (Turkey and Syria)/Subsistence economy--Balikh River Valley (Turkey and Syria)/Commerce, Prehistoric--Balikh River Valley (Turkey and Syria)/Land settlement patterns, Prehistoric--Balikh River Valley (Turkey and Syria)/Social archaeology--Balikh River Valley (Turkey and Syria)/Balikh River Valley (Turkey and Syria)--Antiquities/Syria--Antiquities