Akkadica
Assyriological Center
Georges Dossin
Georges Dossin
|
Akkadica Assyriological Center
Georges Dossin |
Conspectus Librorum - Book Review:
Volume I: Text, XIV + 270 p. (in French incl. 14 p. in Arabic), 94 figs., annex and index. ISBN: 2-35159-032-5 Volume II: Plates, 145 pl. + list of plates. Including contributions of Hanan Charaf-Mullins, Eric Coqueugnot et Guillaume Gernez. ISBN: 2-35159-033-3 + separate cover containing site plans. Price: Euro 65,- Orders: Institut français du Proche-Orient (IFPO) The site of Tell Arqa, situated in the Akkar plain, is not only the most important site in Northern Lebanon, but also one of considerable importance in the Near East. The current volumes present in a very clear and comprehensive format, the results from the Bronze Age strata, retrieved from excavations conducted between 1978 and 1981 and from 1992 to 1998. Tell Arqa was probably settled as early as the 6th millennium, though till today the earliest remains are attributed to the middle of the 3rd millennium. The main areas studied and published here, are dated to the EB IV (Strata 16-15), which is characterized by a well preserved dwelling quarter; the MB I, important for its "warrior's" tomb and pottery workshop, succeeded by the MB II fortification and tombs in Strata 14 and 13; and the final phase of the late MB II / early LB I (Stratum12), mainly presented by houses and graves. Following an introduction, the first part of this book (Volume I) is dedicated to the description of the site, initially focussing on the archaeological site in general, the features of 'Chantier I', the stratification methods and terminology, the applied chronology, a short note on level 17 - Phase R, which covers the final stage of EB III, and subsequently, continuing with more comprehensive descriptions of the stratification, architectural structures and burials found in levels 16 to 11. In the second part of this volume, all attention goes to the study of the materials, found at Tell Arqa. Besides the bulk of the ceramic corpus, the material remains also include stone and metal objects. The ceramic assemblages of each occupational phase, are presented in a typological order, with a subdivision according to the clay texture. Other pottery characteristics discussed here, are the fabrication methods, the decoration types and application techniques. Part three, is actually the general conclusion, in which the author highlights the regional contacts of Tell Arqa, as well as the development of trade activities. Considerable attention is paid to pottery production, and the diffusion and evolution of pottery technology, with special focus on the "combed ware" (la céramique peignée). The body of this book (Volume I) is followed by an annex on the radiocarbon dating of levels 16 and 15, the bibliographic references sited in the text, a list of figures presented in the first volume, and finally an indispensable table of contents. An Arabic summary is also included at the end. Volume II contains no less than 145 plates, mainly pottery drawings and 1 figure. Additionally, there is a separate cover, holding a collection of 6 site plans, one per excavation level, and a folder with 5 section drawings. Overall, this report is an excellent and welcome addition to the published array of excavation volumes to date. It highlights the important significance of the site of Tell Arqa. The book is well and nicely illustrated with black and white drawings, several volumetric and axonometric restitutions, topographical maps, site plans, as well as a number of photographs, mainly presented in Volume II - Plates. The quantity of the material presented within the entire publication, in combination with the detailed, yet very comprehensible manner in which the data have been laid out, represents an integral contribution to Near Eastern archaeology. Ingrid M. Swinnen Vrije Universiteit Brussel |