The radiocarbon dates of ‘Ain Ghazal[1] allow interesting conclusions concerning its Neolithic occupation and cultural sequence. Although some of the samples do not correlate well with the phases to which the excavators attributed them, it is still possible to determine different settlement phases.
The oldest phase dates between 8400 BCE and 8000 BCE. This would be the time frame of the lentil seed (AA 1164) assigned by the excavators to the MPPNB.
A second phase starting slightly after 8000 BCE and lasting until 7600 BCE is clearly distinguishable from the older one.
The later dates show a short hiatus between 7600 BCE and 7500 BCE. Around 7510 BCE the dates testify to a reoccupation of the site. Unitl 2012, GrN 12971 was the only sample dating from 100-year occupation hiatus. In 2012 a sample from a domesticated cattle bone was directly dated by AMS radiocarbon dating to 7607-7531 (2-simga) cal BCE, attesting a continuous occupation of the site (Zielhofer et al. 2012; see also Jacobsson 2017).
Interpretation of the more recent dates of the late PPNB is very difficult. From 7500 BC onwards, all the dates significantly overlap until around 6700/6600 BC. One probably too recent date starts around 6600 BC and can be considered aberrant.
According to the radiocarbon dates, it is not possible to separate the latest pre-pottery Neolithic layers (PPNC) from the other late PPNB dates: on the one hand, some of the PPNC-dates overlap significantly with the time frame conventionally attributed to the late PPNB; on the other hand, some samples of the late PPNB layers are too recent and date into the range attributed to the PPNC. Some of these aberrant dates can probably be explained by old-wood effects or strays from more recent layers.
Despite all this, the stratigraphy of the excavators has been adopted (Grindell 1998; unpub. manuscript Rollefson). However, at some point in the future it should be determined whether the two late a-ceramic Neolithic ‘phases’ PPNB and PPNC indicate an actual chronological sequence or whether there were two different social groups occupying the site of ‘Ain Ghazal who differed in material culture and burial rites.
During the most recent excavation, a radiocarbon sample from a sub-spherical pit made of brunt reddish clay (Feature 17) yielded a first Yarmoukian 14C date from the site (AA198395).
[1]We cordially thank Gary Rollefson and Zeidan Kafafi for their constant and patient support and all the data they have provided for us.
L 3076.048 in der Nähe des Figurencage, aber wenig Material
CH
MDOG 117, 1985:111
Associated Projects
Neolithic Heritage Trail
Basta (u.c.) Joint Archaeological Project
PIGPA Project (u.c.) Palaeoenvironmental Investiga-
tions in the Greater Petra Area
PPND Plattform for the publication of Neolithic Radiocarbon Dates
'Ain Rahub Project (u.c.)
Cooperations (u.c.)
Fig. 1 Comparison of the uncalibrated radiocarbon dates of 'Ain Ghazal shows that the data are consistent with two phases of occupation, although it remains difficult to separate the PPNC from the Late PPNB.
Fig. 1 Comparison of the uncalibrated radiocarbon dates of 'Ain Ghazal shows that the data are consistent with two phases of occupation, although it remains difficult to separate the PPNC from the Late PPNB.