Tell 'Arqa 2001-2003: Latest results
Abstract
Tell ‘Arqa, in North Lebanon, has been in excavation since 1972 under Jean-Paul Thalmann (University of Paris I – Panthéon-Sorbonne) and has yielded important remains for various periods of occupation. The excavations, interrupted by the war, started again in 1992. At this time, the importance of the Early Bronze IV levels at Tell ‘Arqa was first established. It is precisely these extremely well preserved levels that were most intensively excavated during the 2001-2003 seasons. Their destruction by a fire extending to the whole of the excavated area led to an impressive preservation of the architectural structures and of the artefacts, often found in-situ. Furthermore, the continuity of the stratigraphic sequence makes Tell ‘Arqa a reference for the ‘Akkar region. Indeed, comparable sites are not to be found closer than Byblos, to the south, or Ras Shamra, on the Syrian coast. This paper presents the different Early Bronze levels identified at Tell ‘Arqa, the emphasis being naturally on the EB IV levels.