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‘Atiqot 79 (2014)
ISBN 2948-040X
Rescue Excavations at the Early Bronze Age Site of Qiryat Ata––Area N
(pp. 11–44)
Amir Golani
Keywords: settlement, stratigraphy, ceramic type frequencies, quantitative analysis, basalt bowl, limestone bowl, grinding slabs, querns, metal chisel, cylinder seal impressions, bone tools
The excavations in Area N revealed building remains attributed to four phases, dating to EB IB (General Strata III–II) and EB II (General Stratum I). In Phase 4, structures with rounded outer corners were uncovered, characteristic of EB IB and early EB II in the southern Levant. During Phases 3–1, dated to EB II, smaller and more compact spaces were created, pointing to ongoing renovations in the buildings. These complex architectural remains may represent evidence of social organization at a time when the site was apparently a fully urbanized settlement. The ceramic finds fit in well with the pottery corpus of EB IB and EB II pottery previously documented at the site. The flint assemblage (studied by Hamoudi Khalaily) represents a typical Early Bronze Age repertoire. The faunal assemblage (studied by Nuha Agha) complements previous zooarchaeological research at the site and contributes to the overall picture of the animal economy in EB IB and EB II in the region.