Teleilat Ghassul
From ArchaeoWiki
Teleilat Ghassul in Jordan is the largest and one of the most important Chalcolithic period sites in the southern Levant. Teleilat Ghassul has been the type site for the Ghassulian culture since the first Pontifical Biblical Institute excavations began in 1929.
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Excavation
Basil Hennessy conducted four seasons of excavation at Teleilat Ghassul in the years 1967, 1975, 1976-1977 and late 1977.
Hennessy's excavations revolutionized the understanding of the history of occupation at the site, isolating ten (A-J) discrete phased assemblages.
In addition to the stratigraphic sequence, important discoveries included a carefully planned sanctuary complex with cult vessels remaining in situ (Area E), an elaborate polychrome wall painting depicting a cultic procession and a complete flint knapping floor (Area A), and a painter's workshop (Area E).
Discussion
The signal importance of Hennessy's excavations lay in their demonstration that the Ghassulian culture, long thought to be an intrusive assemblage from elsewhere (Syria or Mesopotamia), was indigenous to the southern Levant, having developed out of the well known Late Neolithic culture documented by Kenyon at Jericho.
Publication
Hennessy's seminal excavations have never been published. One preliminary report (on the 1967 season), two short articles and a privately published pamphlet (on the 1975-77 campaigns), are all to which archaeological community currently has access.
Bibliography
Excavation Reports
- Hennessy, J. Basil [1969], "Preliminary Report on the First Season of Excavations at Teleilat Ghassul", Levant 1 (1969), pp.1-24.
- [1982], "Teleilat Ghassul and its place in the Archaeology of Jordan", in Hadidi, A. (ed.), Studies in the Archaeology and History of Jordan, Amman: Department of Antiquities, 1982, pp.55-58.
