{"id":5836,"date":"2026-10-15T14:37:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T13:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eveha-international.com\/?p=5836"},"modified":"2026-10-21T08:51:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T07:51:30","slug":"tulul-anabta-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eveha-international.com\/?p=5836&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Tulul \u2018Anabta-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Direction
Blandine Besnard (Eveha International)
Ghassan Nagagreh (University Dar al-Kalima Bethl\u00e9em)<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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How Eveha Participates
<\/strong>Study of Archaeological Artifacts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Location <\/strong>
Palestine<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Location of the site of Tulul Anabta within the contemporary and ancient Southern Levant; \u00a9 W. Abu Azizeh, \u00c9veha International 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Fieldwork context<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

In 2025, as security conditions at the Tulul \u2018Anabta archaeological site prevented field operations, a study mission was organized\u2014in agreement with the Consulate General of France in Jerusalem\u2014to process and analyze the material stored at the Palestinian Department of Antiquities in Ramallah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research questions and objectives of the mission<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

The main objective of the study season conducted in Ramallah in 2025 was to analyze the material recovered from the 2021\u20132023 excavation campaigns through a chrono-functional and socio-economic lens. The results obtained now allow for an integrated reading of the proto-urban site of Tulul \u2018Anabta and clarify its role within the Early Bronze Age II dynamics of the central West Bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Results<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

1. Pottery material<\/strong>
The study by Maura Sala (independent researcher) focused on 616 diagnostic sherds from selected stratified contexts across the four sectors. The assemblage is characterized by very strong typological and technological homogeneity, confirming an occupation mostly dated to the Early Bronze Age II (3000\u20132800 BCE). The dominant forms match the classic repertoires of Southern Levant fortified sites: simple carinated bowls, globular short-necked jars, jugs, and small open forms. The presence of miniature vessels in Building B.21 of Sector 2 (a monumental structure) supports the interpretation of a cultic or communal function for the building. Fabrics are predominantly local and well-refined, showing consistent oxidizing firing. The almost total absence of later material confirms the purity of the sequence. Sounding C10, however, revealed an underlying earlier phase marked by Late or transitional EBA I forms, testifying to a modest prior occupation before the EBA II monumentalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Lithic industry and ground stone tools<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

The analysis carried out by Florine Marchand (University of Li\u00e8ge) highlights abundant blade production (117 large blades), associated with composite sickles exhibiting macroscopic sickle gloss indicative of agricultural use. Raw materials are local (beige and brown flint), with controlled knapping revealing advanced technical skill. Identified tools include scrapers, denticulates, piercers, and arrowheads, testifying to diverse activities (harvesting, woodworking, domestic craft processing). The export of 22 pieces will allow for detailed microwear analysis. This corpus suggests specialized local production integrated into an agro-pastoral economy.
Several fragments of limestone grinding stones, mortars, and basins were identified, mainly in domestic contexts. These elements bear witness to grinding and food-processing activities. Their spatial distribution confirms the residential function of Sector 3 and parts of Sector 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Faunal remains<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

The very high identification rate (94%) allowed for a reliable interpretation of economic practices, thanks to the expertise of Tara Accart (Arch\u00e9opole, Lille). The spectrum is dominated by caprines (sheep\/goats), indicating a structured pastoral economy. Cattle are present in secondary but constant proportions, testifying to a mixed exploitation strategy. Cut and butchery marks demonstrate local consumption and on-site processing. A few traces of bone working suggest craft activities. Contexts associated with ovens and cisterns yield assemblages consistent with EBA II domestic refuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Environmental remains (in progress)<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Samples were exported by Hussein Madina (Paris I University) to refine the reconstruction of the botanical landscape and agricultural practices. Although the results are not yet available, the presence of sickles with harvesting gloss and macro-remains associated with ovens already points to a cereal economy complementary to livestock farming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Architectural study and building reconstruction<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

A reassessment of the architectural data from the 2021\u20132023 campaigns was carried out by Fabian Spitaler (University of Vienna) in collaboration with Blandine Besnard. The photographic surveys were reprocessed using photogrammetry to produce georeferenced orthophotographs of Sectors 2 and 4 and to reconstruct dismantled structures. This phase enabled:<\/p>\n\n\n\n