Palmyrena. Palmyra and the Surrounding Territory. Joint Syrian-Norwegian Project. Surface Survey North of Palmyra. April and May 2011. Preliminary Report. Prehistoric Periods

Abstract

The prehistoric team has been surveying along the eastern part Jebel Abyad within the concession area, the northern edge of Jebel Abyad, and southern and eastern part of Jebel Merah, all within the concession area. The team has survey and registered the following; 1) cisterns 2) small caves and rockshelters of various intensity and period 3) open-air sites of various intensity and period 4) cairns 5) coralls 6) kites 7) in addition samples were taken from selected carins surveyed in 2009 The tendency so far which is worth noting is the following; 1) there has been recorded a substantial number of cairns, particularly in the Jebel Merah area. 2) one new kite were recorded in the southern foothills of Jebel Merah. The total number of kites within the concession area is relatively few compared to adjacent regions. 3) Less caves and small rockshelters were recorded in 2011, however, some of these contain lithic material similar to the survey in 2009. 4) Several corrals has been recorded, these are often found in fairly flat areas or where it is gently sloping in connection with minor wadies. 5) A few open air-sites has been recorded with scattered non-diagnostic lithics.