Small Ungulate Butchery in the Islamic Period (A. D. 632-1260) at Tell Tuneinir, Syria

Abstract

THE site of Tell Tuneinir, Syria, is situated on the east bank of the Khabur River in an area that will be directly affected by the construction of a hydroelectric dam below the town of Hasake.' Tuneinir is one of the largest tells in the area and at its highest point rises 20 meters above the surrounding plain.2 The ruins are spread over an area of 46 hectares (113 acres) and can be divided into three zones: the mound summit and the lower town, which are both located on the tell proper, and the suburban settlements, which are located on the plain surrounding the tell.3 Excavation began at Tuneinir in 1987 with the main objective of determining the social, economic, political, and religious institutions of an Islamic period community.4 Towards this objective, eight areas have been excavated, both on and off the tell. Area 1 consists of a step trench extending from the summit down the eastern edge of the tell. Extensions of that trench uncovered the remains of a group of Ayyubid houses as well as the remnants of the first occupation. The earliest remains at Tuneinir date to the Early Bronze Age and consist of a combination kitchen midden and agricultural processing waste site.6 Area 2, near the summit of the tell, encompasses the remains of Ayyubid and Mamluk houses that belonged to the elite.' Also on the tell, but in the lower town, is the greatest bulk of the excavated Islamic period architecture. Area 4 is the south khan, or caravansaray, which includes a small mosque. Area 5 is a bath complex, Area 6 is the market area, and Area 7 is the north khan, which is much smaller than the southern khan.8 Recent excavations have explored Area 8, which appears to consist of houses that belonged to the workers of the tell. Area 3 is a low mound situated on the eastern edge of the suburban