From circle to rectangle. Evolution of the architectural plan in the early Neolithic in the Near East
2016, 25, Tom 25, Nr Regular Issue
Publication date
Publishing model
License type
Field
Discipline
Language of publication
Downloads
PDF 240 KB
Number of views:621
Number of downloads:110
Crossref citations:0
Altmetric score:0
Abstract
Transformation of the plan seems to be one of the most fundamental characteristics of architectural evolution during the PPNA stage. It starts with simple round monocellular structures and ends with the invention of modular subrectangular ones, divided into many rooms. However, the evolution of some types of buildings in different regions of the Fertile Crescent was varied in pace. A major question are the main factors causing such regional differences. This paper presents a basic typology of early Neolithic structures and their regional diversification, which could result from individual dynamics of the development of original types stimulated by regionally invented practical and technical solutions. Two variants of the process were distinguished. The first is the evolution from a primitive shelter to open, free-standing durable forms of round houses. The other variant was the development from shelters to large round subterranean houses. Different regions of the Near East adopted one of these two variants. Each featured specific traits and determined further regional development of plan.
Keywords:
Bibliography
Abbes, F. (2008). Wadi Tumbaq 1: a Khiamian occupation in the Bal’as mountains. Neo Lithics, 1/08, 3–9
Aurenche, O. (1981). La maison orientale: l’architecture du Proche Orient ancien des origines Au milieu du quatrieme millénaire [=BAH 109]. Paris: Paul Geuthner
Aurenche, O. and Kozłowski, S.K. (1999). La naissance du Néolithique au Proche Orient, ou, Le paradis perdu. Paris: Errance
Bar-Yosef, O. and Gopher, A. (eds). (1997). An early neolithic village in the Jordan Valley I. The archaeology of Netiv Hagdud [=American School of Prehistoric Research Bulletin 44]. Cambridge, MA: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University
Bar-Yosef, O., Goring-Morris, A.N., and Gopher, A. (eds). (2010). Gilgal: Early Neolithic occupations in the lower Jordan Valley. The excavations of Tamar Noy. Oxford: Oxbow Books
Bar-Yosef, O. and Valla, F.R. (eds). (1991). The Natufian culture in the Levant [=Archaeological Series 1]. Ann Arbor, MI: International Monographs in Prehistory
Benz, M., Coşkun, A., Weninger, B., Alt, K.W., and Ozkaya, V. (2011). Stratigraphy and radiocarbon dates of the PPNA site of Kortik Tepe, Diyarbakir. Arkeometri Sonuclari Toplantisi, 26, 81–100
Białowarczuk, M. (2010). Early Neolithic wall construction techniques in the light of ethnographical observations on the architecture of the modern Syrian village of Qaramel. PAM, 19, 586–599
Białowarczuk, M. (2013). Architektura Północnego Lewantu, Taurusu i Północnej Mezopotamii od połowy XI do początku IX tysiąclecia B. C. [Architecture of Northern Levant, Taurus and Northern Mesopotamia from the mid-11th to the beginning of the 9th millennium BC] (unpubl. Ph.D. diss.). University of Warsaw. Retrieved from http://depotuw.ceon.pl/handle/item/237 [accessed: 10.02.2016]
Cauvin, J. (1978). Les premiers villages de Syrie-Palestine du IXeme au VIIeme millénaire avant J.C. [=Collection de la Maison de l’Orient méditerranéen ancien 4]. Lyon: Maison de l’Orient
Edwards, P.C., Meadows, J., Sayej, G., and Westaway, M. (2004). From the PPNA to the PPNB: new views from the Southern Levant after excavations at Zahrat adh-Dhra ‘2 in Jordan. Paléorient, 30(2), 21–60
Evin, J. and Stordeur, D. (2008). Chronostratigraphie de Mureybet apport des datations radiocarbone. In J.J. Ibanez (ed.), Le site néolithique de Tell Mureybet (Syrie du Nord): en hommage a Jacques Cauvin [=BAR IS 1843] (pp. 21–32). Oxford: Archaeopress
Finlayson, B., Kuijt, I., Arpin, T., Chesson, M., Dennis, S., Goodale, N., Kadowaki, S., Maher, L., Smith, S., Schurr, M., and McKay, J. (2003). Dhra’, excavation project, 2002 interim report. Levant, 35(1), 1–38
Gopher, A. (1995). Ain Darat – A PPNA site in the Judean Desert, lithic assemblages of the 1994 season. Neo-Lithics, 1/95, 7–8
Hauptmann, H. (1999). The Urfa region. In M. Ozdoğan and N. Başgelen (eds), Neolithic In Turkey: The cradle of civilization. New discoveries [=Ancient Anatolian Civilizations Series 3] (pp. 65–86). Istanbul: Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yayınları
Hours, F., Aurenche, O., Cauvin, J., Cauvin, M.-C., Copeland, L., and Sanlaville, P. (1994). Atlas des sites du Proche Orient (14000–5700 BP). Lyon–Paris: Maison de l’Orient mediterraneen; de Boccard
Ibanez, J.J. (ed.). (2008). Le site néolithique de Tell Mureybet (Syrie du Nord): en hommage a Jacques Cauvin [=BAR IS 1843]. Oxford: Archaeopress
Kenyon, K.M. (1981). Excavations at Jericho III. The architecture and stratigraphy of the Tell. (T.A. Holland, ed.). London: British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem
Kozłowski, S.K. (1998). M’lefaat: Early Neolithic site in northern Irak [sic]. Cahiers de l’Euphrate, 8, 179–273
Kozłowski, S.K. (2002). Nemrik: An aceramic village in Northern Iraq. Warsaw: Institute of Archeology Warsaw University
Kozłowski, S.K. and Kempisty, A. (1990). Architecture of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic settlement in Nemrik, Iraq. World Archaeology, 21(3), 348–362
Kuijt, I. and Finlayson, B. (2001). The 2001 excavation season at the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A period settlement of Dhra’, Jordan: preliminary results. Neo-Lithics, 2/01, 12–15
Kuijt, I. and Finlayson, B. (2002). The 2002 excavation season at Dhra’ Jordan: preliminary results from the Jericho IX and Pre-Pottery Neolithic A period components. Neo-Lithics, 2/02, 17–21
Kuijt, I. and Mahasneh, H. (1998). Dhra’: an Early Neolithic village in the southern Jordan Valley. Journal of Field Archaeology, 25(2), 153–161
Kuijt, I., Mabry, J., and Palumbo, G. (1991). Early Neolithic use of upland areas of Wadi el-Yabis: preliminary evidence from the excavations of 'Iraq ed-Dubb, Jordan. Paléorient, 17(1), 99–108
Lechevallier, M. (1974). Les structures d’habitations au Proche-Orient asiatique du Xeme au Veme millénaire avant notre ere (unpubl. Ph.D. diss.). Universite Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne
Lechevallier, M., Philibert, D., Ronen, A., and Samzun, A. (1989). Une occupation khiamienne et sultanienne a Hatoula (Israel)? Paléorient, 15(1), 323–332
Lechevallier, M. and Ronen, A. (1989). L’occupation post-natoufienne de Hatoula, en Judee occidentale, et sa place dans le cadre regional. In O. Bar-Yosef and B. Vandermeersch (eds), Investigations in South Levantine prehistory [=BAR IS 497] (pp. 309–321). Oxford: B.A.R.
Mazurowski, R.F. (2004). Tell Qaramel: excavations, 2003. PAM, 15, 355–370
Mazurowski, R.F. (2005). Tell Qaramel: excavations 2004. PAM, 16, 497–510
Mazurowski, R.F. (2007). Tell Qaramel: excavations 2005. PAM, 17, 483–499
Mazurowski, R.F. (2008). Tell Qaramel: excavations 2006. PAM, 18, 571–586
Mazurowski, R.F. (2010). Tell Qaramel: excavations 2007. PAM, 19, 565–585
Mazurowski, R.F., Białowarczuk, M., and Januszek, K. (2012). Architecture. In R.F. Mazurowski and Y. Kanjou (eds), Tell Qaramel 1999–2007: Protoneolithic and Early Pre-Pottery Neolithic settlement in Northern Syria. Preliminary results of Syrian-Polish archaeological excavations 1999–2007 [=PCMA Excavation Series 2] (pp. 34–61). Warsaw: PCMA UW
Mazurowski, R.F. and Kanjou, Y. (eds). (2012). Tell Qaramel 1999–2007: Protoneolithic and Early Pre-Pottery Neolithic settlement in Northern Syria. Preliminary results of Syrian–Polish archaeological excavations 1999–2007 [=PCMA Excavation Series 2]. Warsaw: PCMA UW
Mazurowski, R.F., Michczyńska, D.J., Pazdur, A., and Piotrowska, N. (2009). Chronology of the Early Pre-Pottery Neolithic settlement Tell Qaramel, Northern Syria, in the light of radiocarbon dating. Radiocarbon, 51(2), 771–781
Mazurowski, R.F. and Yartah, T. (2002). Tell Qaramel: excavations, 2001. PAM, 13, 295–307
Noy, T. (1989). Gilgal I : a Pre-Pottery Neolithic site, Israel. The 1985–1987 seasons. Paléorient, 15(1), 11–18
Noy, T., Schuldenrein, J., and Tchernov, E. (1980). Gilgal, a Pre-Pottery Neolithic A site in the lower Jordan Valley. Israel Exploration Journal, 30(1/2), 63–82
Ozdoğan, M. (1999). Cayonu. In M. Ozdoğan and N. Başgelen (eds), Neolithic in Turkey: The cradle of civilization. New discoveries [=Ancient Anatolian Civilizations Series 3] (pp. 35–63). Istanbul: Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yayınları
Ozkaya, V. (2009). Excavations at Kortik Tepe. A new Pre-Pottery Neolithic A site in southeastern Anatolia. Neo-Lithics, 2/09, 3–8
Ozkaya, V. and Coşkun, A. (2011). Kortik Tepe. In M. Ozdoğan, N. Başgelen, and P. Kuniholm (eds), The Neolithic in Turkey: New excavations & new research. The Tigris Basin (pp. 89–127). Istanbul: Archaeology & Art Publications
Rosenberg, M. (1994). Hallan Cemi Tepesi: some further observations concerning stratigraphy and material culture. Anatolica, 20, 121–140
Rosenberg, M. (1999). Hallan Cemi. In M. Ozdoğan and N. Başgelen (eds), Neolithic in Turkey: The cradle of civilization. New discoveries [=Ancient Anatolian Civilizations Series 3] (pp. 25–33). Istanbul: Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yayınları
Rosenberg, M. and Davis, M. (1992). Hallan Cemi Tepesi, an early Aceramic Neolithic site in ekstern Anatolia: some preliminary observations concerning material culture. Anatolica, 18, 1–18
Rosenberg, M., Nesbitt, R., Redding, R.W., and Peasnall, B.L. (1998). Hallan Cemi, pig husbandry, and post-Pleistocene adaptations along the Taurus-Zagros Arc (Turkey). Paléorient, 24(1), 25–41
Rosenberg, M., Nesbitt, M., Redding, R.W., and Strasser, T.F. (1995). Hallan Cemi Tepesi: some preliminary observations concerning early Neolithic subsistence behaviors in eastern Anatolia. Anatolica, 21, 3–12
Schirmer, W. (1990). Some aspects of building at the“Aceramic-Neolithic” settlement of Cayonu Tepesi. World Archaeology, 21(3), 363–387
Schmidt, K. (2009). Gobekli Tepe. Eine Beschreibung der wichtigsten Befunde erstellt nach den Arbeiten der Grabungsteams der Jahre 1995–2007. In K. Schmidt (ed.), Erste Tempel, Frühe Siedlungen: 12000 Jahre Kunst und Kultur. Ausgrabungen und Forschungen zwischen Donau und Euphrat (pp. 187–223). Oldenburg: Isensee Verlag
Schmidt, K. (2010). Budowniczowie pierwszych świątyń: zagadkowy ośrodek kultu myśliwych z epoki kamienia. Odkrycie archeologiczne na Göbekli Tepe [Builders of first temples: The mysterious cult center of the Stone Age. Archaeological discovery at Gobekli Tepe]. (B. Baran, trans.). Warsaw: Państwowy Instytut Wydawniczy [in Polish]
Simmons, A.H. (2010). The Neolithic revolution in the Near East: transforming the human landscape. Tucson: University of Arizona Press
Solecki, R.L. (1980). An early village site at Zawi Chemi Shanidar [=Bibliotheca Mesopotamica 13]. Malibu, CA: Undena Publications
Stekelis, M. and Yizraely, T. (1963). Excavations at Nahal Oren: preliminary report. Israel Exploration Journal, 13(1), 1–12
Stordeur, D. (1999). Organisation de l’espace construit et organisation sociale dans le Neolithique de Jerf el Ahmar (Syrie, Xe–IXe millenaire avant J.-C.). In F. Braemer, S. Cleuziou, and A. Coudart (eds), Habitat et societe: 19. Rencontres internationales d’archeologie et d’histoire d’Antibes. Actes des rencontres 22–23–24 octobre 1998 (pp. 131–149). Antibes: APDCA
Stordeur, D. (2000a). New discoveries in architecture and symbolism at Jerf el Ahmar (Syria), 1997–1999. Neo-Lithics, 1/00, 1–4
Stordeur, D. (2000b). Jerf el Ahmar et l’emergence du Neolithique au Proche-Orient. In J. Guilaine (ed.), Premiers paysans du monde: naissances des agricultures (pp. 33–60). Paris: Errance
Stordeur, D. (2003). Tell Aswad. Resultats preliminaires des campagnes 2001 et 2002. Neo-Lithics, 1/03, 7–15
Stordeur, D. (2015). Le village de Jerf el Ahmar: Syrie, 9500–8700 av. J.-C. L’architecture, miroir d’une société néolithique complexe. Paris: CNRS editions
Stordeur, D. and Abbes, F. (2002). Du PPNA au PPNB: mise en lumiere d’une phase de transition a Jerf el Ahmar (Syrie). Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française, 99(3), 563–595
Stordeur, D., Brenet, M., Der Aprahamian, G., and Roux, J.C. (2000). Les batiments communautaires de Jerf el Ahmar et Mureybet Horizon PPNA (Syrie). Paléorient, 26(1), 29–44
Stordeur, D., Brenet, M., and Yarta, T. (2000). Jerf el Ahmar. Un site neolithique englouti sous un lac de barrage. Une operation de sauvetage du patrimoine. In E. Schraudolph (ed.), Rettung des Kulturerbes: Ausstellung. Projekte rund ums Mittelmeer, Hildesheim, Roemer- Und Pelizaeus-Museum, 18.6–29.10.2000 [=Schriften des Hornemann-Instituts 3] (pp. 85–100). Hamburg: Gloss
Stordeur, D., Helmer, D., and Willcox, G. (1997). Jerf el Ahmar: un nouveau site de l’horizon PPNA sur le Moyen Euphrate syrien. Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française, 94(2), 282–285
Stordeur, D. and Ibanez, J.J. (2008). Stratigraphie et repartition des architectures a Mureybet. In J.J. Ibanez (ed.), Le site néolithique de Tell Mureybet (Syrie du Nord): en homage a Jacques Cauvin [=BAR IS 1843] (pp. 33–94). Oxford: Archaeopress
Tobolczyk, M. (2000). Narodziny architektury: wstęp do ontogenezy architektury [The birth of architecture: Introduction to ontogenesis of architecture]. Warsaw: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN [in Polish with English summary]
Tusa, S. (1985). Post-Pleistocene adaptation in the Hamrin Basin (Middle Diyala) after the excavation at Tell Rihan. Cahiers de l’Euphrate, 4, 315–333
Watkins, T. (1990). The origins of house and home? World Archaeology, 21(3), 336–347
Watkins, T. (ed.). (1995). Qermez Dere, Tell Afar: Interim report no. 3. Edinburgh: Department of Archaeology, University of Edinburgh
Yartah, T. (2004). Tell ‘Abr 3, un village du neolithique preceramique (PPNA) sur le Moyen Euphrate. Premiere approche. Paléorient, 30(2), 141–158
Yartah, T. (2005). Les batiments communautaires de Tell’Abr 3 (PPNA, Syrie). Neo-Lithics, 1/05, 3–9
Other articles from the issue
- AlexandriaKom el-Dikkamedieval/Islamic cemeterybathsporticoconservation
Alexandria, Kom el-Dikka. Seasons 2014–2015. Appendix: Islamic cemetery at Kom el-Dikka in Alexandria: research in the 2014 and 2015 excavation seasons
- bioarchaeologyanthropologymedievalIslamiccemeteryKom el-DikkaAlexandriaEgypt
Kom el-Dikka 2014: human bones from Area U
- AlexandriaKom el-Dikkacast glassmosaic floral plaquelate Roman glasslate Roman mosaic glassearly Byzantine glass
Glass finds from Areas U and G at the Kom el-Dikka site in Alexandria (excavations in 2012 and 2013)
Similar publications
- AlexandriaKom el-Dikkamedieval/Islamic cemeterybathsporticoconservation
Alexandria, Kom el-Dikka. Seasons 2014–2015. Appendix: Islamic cemetery at Kom el-Dikka in Alexandria: research in the 2014 and 2015 excavation seasons
- bioarchaeologyanthropologymedievalIslamiccemeteryKom el-DikkaAlexandriaEgypt
Kom el-Dikka 2014: human bones from Area U
- AlexandriaKom el-Dikkacast glassmosaic floral plaquelate Roman glasslate Roman mosaic glassearly Byzantine glass
Glass finds from Areas U and G at the Kom el-Dikka site in Alexandria (excavations in 2012 and 2013)