Planigraphic and Architectural Features of Tell Sabi Abyad (Syria)

Abstract

Introduction . Tell Sabi Abyad is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Balikh basin, located about 30 km south of the Syrian-Turkish border. It consists of four mounds excavated in different seasons. The excavation was initiated by a Dutch archaeological expedition that started on 1986 and finished in 2010. It was led first by Professor M. Van Loon and then by P. Akkermans. Methods and materials . The research was based on the results of archaeological excavations, published by the excavation team. The historical reconstruction method was used to study the materials of the site. Results . The study of excavation materials of the Tell Sabi Abyad monument made it possible to identify the cultural layers, which revealed religious buildings, dwellings, farm buildings, as well as other traces of the long-term human presence. The paper describes chronological layers and the amount of artefacts at different periods. The research made it possible to acquire new facts that can clarify the existing knowledge about Northern Mesopotamia of the Neolithic era. Conclusion . The study of the monument showed that the houses were built on stable towering platforms, had a regular residential character, and involved bricks, clay, wood, and cane. Most of the houses had a rectangular layout and were connected to each other by small openings (doors). There were also houses with roof entrances. In addition, circular buildings, the tholoi, were found. In the late chronological layers, the era of Halaf culture, the tholoi were widely used not only as places of worship, but also for housing and food storage.