A morphological typology for the "Kranzhügel" of the Greater Western Jazira and its impact upon interpretations of Early Bronze Age north-eastern Syria. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smith, Stefan L.
• Is Part Of: Archaeological research in Asia. Volume 29(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Kranzhügel -- Tell site typology -- Early Bronze Age Syria -- Greater Western Jazira -- Tell Chuera -- Urbanisation trajectories; Archaeology -- Research -- Asia -- Periodicals; Asia -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; 930.1095
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ara.2021.100339
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-2267

Abstract

Abstract: In the poorly-investigated Greater Western Jazira (GWJ) of north-eastern Syria, the most well-known sites are large tell settlements often called "Kranzhügel". While this term broadly describes sub-circular mounded sites with two concentric ramparts, it is neither precise nor applicable to all fortified tells of the region. Its widespread application across morphologically heterogeneous sites has led to a distortion of concepts of settlement dynamics and human activity in the GWJ during the Early Bronze Age. This paper uses an intensive remote sensing study and results from past fieldwork to disentangle the term "Kranzhügel" from indiscriminate use and lack of academic dissemination, and build a new typology based upon the absolute morphological forms of fortified GWJ sites. This not only provides a framework for researchers in this region, especially when working with remote sensing data, but also a case study of the pitfalls of terminological ambiguity which are present across many areas of archaeological research. Highlights: The term Kranzhügel has been used to describe heterogeneous ancient sites in Syria Understanding of urbanisation processes hampered by misuse of the term Kranzhügel Typology of sites called Kranzhügel created from appearance on remote sensing data Variations in urbanisation processes correlate with morphological site categories Geographical distribution linked to chronological and morphological site variations