The Neolithic Lithic Industry at Tell Ain El-Kerkh

This volume explores the Neolithisation process in northwest Syria through detailed studies of flintstone tools from Tell Ain el-Kerkh, enhancing our understanding of regional developments.

This book provides an in-depth exploration of the Neolithisation process in northwest Syria, a region that has not received as much scholarly attention as other areas of the northern Levant. The focus is on the techno-typological studies of flintstone implements uncovered at Tell Ain el-Kerkh, a significant Neolithic site that was occupied between the 9th and 7th millennium BC. The author meticulously examines the lithic record from this site, revealing critical techno-morphological changes in flint tools throughout the Neolithic period, from the Early Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) to the end of the Pottery Neolithic.

By contextualizing these changes within the socio-economic framework of the time, the author sheds light on the dynamic processes that characterized the Neolithic era in this part of Syria. Comparative analysis with other Neolithic sites in the northern Levant allows for a deeper understanding of the regional characteristics and the unique aspects of northwest Syria during this transformative period. The discussion culminates in an examination of two pivotal issues: the diffusion of PPNB culture and the subsequent PPNB collapse, both of which are informed by the findings presented in this volume.

This work is enriched with original data, detailed drawings, and thorough analyses of lithics from various Neolithic sites across Syria. Such contributions are invaluable for future discussions surrounding changes in material culture and the Neolithisation process in the Near East, making this book a significant resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike.