Unity and diversity of the kite phenomenon: a comparative study between Jordan, Armenia and Kazakhstan

Olivier Barge (1) , Jacques Brochier (2) , Emmanuelle Régagnon (1) , Marie-Laure Chambrade (1) , Rémy Crassard (1)

1 Archéorient - ARCHEORIENT - Environnements et sociétés de l'Orient ancien
2 LAMPEA - Laboratoire méditerranéen de préhistoire Europe-Afrique

Desert kites are found across a vast region. This paper presents a detailed description of kites from the Harrat al-Shaam region (Jordan) and proposes a comparative study, as well as an analysis of the morphology and organisation of kites known from Mount Aragats (Armenia) and the Ustyurt Plateau (Kazakhstan). A complete inventory of the structures in each region highlights their architectural characteristics and their spatial distribution in the landscape. Some preliminary results were obtained by comparing both regions: the core area in eastern Jordan, and peripheries—sometimes very dis-tant—such as in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Chronological data were also compared , when available. All these different and complementary aspects were finally combined with satellite imagery analyses. The interactive process between satellite images and fieldwork observations has enriched both approaches, while yielding preliminary key elements of interpretation for a better understanding of the kite phenomenon on a global scale.

Mots clés: desert kites; GIS; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Armenia; typology; landscape archaeology

Domaines: Archéologie et Préhistoire

Olivier Barge, Jacques Brochier, Emmanuelle Régagnon, Marie-Laure Chambrade, Rémy Crassard. Unity and diversity of the kite phenomenon: a comparative study between Jordan, Armenia and Kazakhstan. Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, 2015, 26, pp.144-161. ⟨10.1111/aae.12065⟩. ⟨hal-01829322⟩