The Prehistory of the Hesban Region
The Results of the 1998 Survey: A Preliminary Report

By:
Ghattas J. Sayej
BirZeit University

Introduction

The Andrews University Heshbon Expedition began excavations at Tall Hesban in 1968. During the 1973 season, and continuing through the 1974 and 1976 seasons, a regional survey was launched with the purpose of reaching a better understanding of Tall Hesban in its wider geographical and archaeological context. Under the direction of Robert Ibach, the survey operated in the Hesban region with the objective of locating archaeological sites from all ceramic cultures (Ibach 1987: 3). Pre-ceramic cultures were ignored by this survey because personnel lacked both interest and expertise in prehistoric material culture. This emphasis on ceramic cultures led to data collection and publication that ignored pre-ceramic material. In an effort to correct this problem, a joint project was launched in 1998 between BirZeit University (Palestine), University of Bergen (Norway), and the Madaba Plains Project, with the aim of examining prehistoric remains within a five kilometer radius of Tall Hesban. Within this report, I will attempt to give a clear description and classification of the lithics collected in 1998, and I will attempt to date them based on their typological features.

Objectives

The main goal of the survey was to re-examine archaeological sites recorded by Ibach's survey, and to see whether or not prehistoric sites existed within the region! The survey was designed to re-locate all evidence of human presence in the area from prehistoric times up to the present. Archaeological remains were recorded and all survey sites were plotted on 1: 25.000 scale maps (Palestine Grid). Material culture, such as lithics and pottery sherds, were collected in order to determine the dates of occupations as well as to show the economy of the sites.

Methodology

During the 1998 season (six weeks), the survey team used a global positioning system (GPS) to locate the sites recorded during Ibach's survey. Additionally, new sites were recorded as the survey team encountered them. Each site has been given a number. Numbers below 200 are Ibach's sites, and numbers above 200 are newly discovered sites. Coordinates for these sites are based on the Palestine Grid. At each site, the survey team collected samples of pottery sherds and lithics attempting to include as many diagnostics as possible. In the case of lithics, the topic of this report, the survey team concentrated on cores, flakes, blades, and tools.

Lithic sites

Among the 84 sites that were visited and recorded during the 1998 season, 57 of them included lithic material (see Table 1).

Table 1

 No.of Sites

No. of Tools, Cores, Flakes, Blades

 No. of Debitage

 Total No. of Artifacts

 57

1421

2635

4056

From the total number of 57 sites with lithics, 15 were selected for this report. These 15 were selected because of the large number of lithic artifacts recovered and clear typological features (see Map 1). Lithic material from the remaining 42 sites are included in the totals, but will not be discussed here because these samples were either too small or lacked clear typological features (see Survey sheets page 1-2).

Dating of the lithic samples was based on time-specific evidence. In the absence of such typological markers, general chronological determinations have been carefully assigned based on relative comparative studies with other sites in Jordan. Hence, in some cases only the most general assignments could be made, such as: either Paleolithic (i.e. Lower, Middle, and Upper), or Later periods (i.e. Epi-Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Early Bronze Age).

Site Descriptions

 HS 003

227700, 134600

This site was located on the top of a hill (50% flat, 50% gradual slope), and contained many archaeological features such as: winepresses, quarries, cupholes, cisterns, wall-lines, and basins.

Lithics: Site examined 16 July 1998. 114 lithic artifacts were collected: 2 cores, 23 flakes, 13 blades, 14 bladelets, 7 scrapers (see Figure 1, no. 1-3), 2 arrowheads, 1 backed, 1 notch, and 51 debitage. The typological features of these lithic artifacts were similar to those of the later periods (i.e. Epi-Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Early Bronze Age).

The economy: Based on the probable function of these lithic artifacts, it seems likely that this site was used for farming activities (based on the amount of sickles including blades and bladelets), and for slaughtering activities (based on the amount of scrapers). Furthermore, since only 2 arrowheads were found, it seems likely that hunting was not a priority at this site and that the slaughtering activities were directed at domestic animals instead. It is also important to note that bones and wood were used as tools for preparing arrowheads and scrapers, but none of these organic materials were found within the survey collection. This makes it more difficult to determine the economy of this site based on these small samples.

Site HS005

228400,135200

This site was located at the lower slope of an eastern hill (90% flat, 10 % steep), and contained many archaeological features such as: tombs, cupholes, and cisterns.

Lithics: Site examined 03 July 1998. 100 lithic artifacts were collected: 8 cores (see Figure 2, no. 2), 15 flakes, 2 blades, 5 bladelets, 12 scrapers, 1 hand axe (see Figure 2, no. 1), 1 backed, and 56 debitage. The typological features of the hand axe show some similarities to those of the Middle Paleolithic tools of the Jiza Plain region in Jordan (see Garner 1981), while the rest of the tools ranged between the Neolithic periods and the Early Bronze Age.

The economy: It seems likely that this site was used as a slaughtering place.

Site HS010

226200,135200


This site was located at the upper part of a hill (50% gradual, 50% moderate), and contained many archaeological features such as: terraces, separation vats, cupholes, and wall-lines.

Lithics: Site examined 26 June 1998. 124 lithic artifacts were collected: 13 cores, 6 flakes, 16 blades, 2 bladelets, 11 scrapers, 4 arrowheads (see Figure 3, no. 1), and 72 debitage. This site seemed to be a quarry for knapping and preparing flint tools, and might be dated to the later periods.

The economy: This site was most likely a slaughtering place, within a farming region, and surrounded by a flint quarry.

Site HS018

223200, 133200

Site HS018 was located on the lower slopes of a hill (50% gradual, 50% moderate), and contained many archaeological features such as: caves, embankments, an oil press, quarries, cupholes, basins, and wall lines.

Lithics: Site examined 09 July 1998. 138 lithic artifacts were collected: 3 cores, 20 flakes, 13 blades, 20 bladelets, 2 microblades, 2 scrapers, 6 arrowheads, 1 borer, and 71 debitage. Most of these lithics did not exhibit any of the chronological features of any of the prehistoric periods. Thus, it was quite difficult to date the site based on these samples but it seems likely to be from the later periods.

The economy: It seemed to be an agricultural site with some evidence of hunting.

Site HS021

224900, 133250


This site was located on a ridge overlooking a wadi (100% gradual slope), and contained many archaeological features such as: caves, quarries, cupholes, and a rock-cut basin with a drain channel.

Lithics: Site examined 29 June 1998. 187 lithic artifacts were collected: 3 cores, 14 flakes, 8 blades, 3 bladelets, 4 scrapers, 3 arrowheads (see Figure 4, no. 2), 1 borer, 1 notch (see Figure 4, no. 1), and 150 debitage. Some of these tools were similar to those of the Epi-Paleolithic period in Wadi el-Hasa (see Byrd & Rollefson 1984), while the rest were similar to those of the Neolithic period.

The economy: It seems likely that the economy of this site was based on farming accompanied by hunting.

Site HS028

228500, 139500

This site was located on a steep slope (50% gradual, 50% steep), and contained a number of agricultural terraces.

Lithics: Site examined 14 July 1998. 90 lithic artifacts were collected: 1 core, 4 flakes, 13 blades, 7 bladelets, 2 microblades, 2 scrapers, 1 arrowhead (see Figure 5, no. 1), 2 borers, 1 backed and 57 debitage. The lithic typology and technology of this site are similar to those of the Neolithic periods of Ain Ghazal (see Rollefson & Simmon 1984).

The economy: It was most likely a farming site.

Site HS045

227600, 139100

This site was located at the top of a hill (20% flat, 70% gradual, 10% moderate), and contained many archaeological features such as: caves, cupholes, and cisterns.

Lithic: Site examined 14 July 1998. 164 lithic artifacts were collected: 28 flakes, 32 blades, 10 bladelets, 5 microblades, 6 scrapers (see Figure 6, no. 3), 3 arrowheads (see Figure 6, no. 2), 4 borers, 2 backed (see Figure 6, no. 1), and 74 debitage. The typological and technological features of these lithics were similar to those of the Neolithic periods of Ain Ghazal (see Rollefson & Simmon 1984).

The economy: It was most likely an agricultural site accompanied by hunting and slaughtering.

Site HS061

223500, 136700

This site was located in a field in the middle of a slope (50% flat, 50% gradual). No archaeological features were found here.

Lithics: Site examined 29 June 1998. 129 lithic artifacts were collected: 7 cores, 17 flakes, 6 blades (see Figure 7, no. 2), 7 bladelets, 3 scrapers, 2 arrowheads, 1 backed, 1 notch (see Figure 7, no. 1), and 85 debitage. This site had a lithic quarry and its tools are similar to those of the Neolithic periods of Wadi el-Yabis (see Kirkbride 1956), and Ain Ghazal (see Rollefson & Simmon 1984).

The economy: It seemed most likely an agricultural and, perhaps, trading site. Trade was suggested by the appearance of an obsidian tool among the collection of artifacts. Since the closest source for obsidian is Anatolia, it is possible that this artifact represents trade between the southern Levant and Anatolia.

Site HS070

229700, 136100

This site was located on the top of a hill (100% gradual slope), and contained many archaeological features such as: tombs, and cisterns.

Lithics: Site examined 01 July 1998. 383 lithic artifacts were collected: 1 cores, 9 flakes, 6 blades, 8 bladelets, 8 scrapers (see Figure 8, no. 1), 1 arrowhead, 2 borers (see Figure 8, no. 2), and 348 debitage. This site had a quarry and some of its tools were similar to those of the Epi-Paleolithic period of Wadi el-Hasa (see Byrd & Rollefson 1984). While the rest were similar to the Neolithic periods.

The economy: It seemed to be a site for slaughtering, farming, and quarrying

Site HS071

229300, 135700

This site is located in a 100% flat area (plain), and contained many lithic artifacts, but no archaeological features

Lithics: Site examined 03 July 1998. 189 lithic artifacts were collected: 1 cores, 13 flakes, 14 blades, 3 bladelets, 6 scrapers, and 152 debitage. No pottery sherds were found at this site and it seemed to be principally a quarry dated to the pre-Pottery Neolithic period.

The economy: It seemed likely that this site was in an agricultural region accompanied by slaughtering of animals and manufacturing lithic artifacts from the nearby quarry.

Site HS104

225450, 135110

This site was located on the top of a hill (80% flat, 20% gradual), and contained many lithics.

Lithics: Site examined 30 June 1998. 390 lithic artifacts were collected: 4 cores, 27 flakes, 12 blades (see Figure 9, no. 1-2), 22 bladelets, 5 microblades, 9 scrapers, 3 arrowhead (see Figure 9, no. 3), 9 backed (see Figure 9, no. 4), and 299 debitage. Many of these lithics were similar to those of the Neolithic periods of Ain Ghazal (see Rollefson & Simmon 1984), as well as to those of the Early Bronze Age of Jericho (see Crowfoot & Payne 1983).

The economy: Based on the lithic assemblage and the surrounding landscape, this sites economy was based in hunting, agriculture, slaughtering animals, and manufacturing lithics from the nearby quarry.

Site HS226

228600, 132200

This site was located on the upper part of a hill (35% flat, 65% gradual), and contained many archaeological features, such as: tombs, quarries, cupholes and cisterns.

Lithics: Site examined 07 July 1998. 264 lithic artifacts were collected: 13 flakes, 5 blades, 15 bladelets, 7 scrapers (see Figure 10, no. 1), 4 arrowheads, 3 borers (see Figure 10, no. 2), 1 backed, 1 notch, and 215 debitage. This site had some tools, such as fan scrapers, which were similar to those of the Early Bronze Age of Jericho (see Crowfoot Payne 1983).

The economy: It seems to be a farming economy accompanied by hunting and slaughtering.

Site HS229

228400, 133500

This site was located on the top of a hill (100% gradual), and contained many archaeological features such as: circular structures, quarries, cupholes, and wall lines.

Lithics: Site examined 07 July 1998. 195 lithic artifacts were collected: 2 cores (see Figure 11, no. 1), 13 flakes, 11 blades (see Figure 11, no. 2), 9 bladelets, 1 microblades (see Figure 11, no. 3), 4 scrapers, 2 notches, and 153 debitage. The lithics of this site are similar to those of the Epi-Paleolithic period of Wadi el-Hasa and the Lower Jordan Valley (see Byrd & Rollefson 1984, Schuldenrein & Goldberg 1981), and to the Neolithic periods of the Petra area (see Gebel & Starck 1985).

The economy: It seemed to be a farming economy accompanied by slaughtering animals.

Site HS235

225135, 133500

This site was located on a bedrock platform on the top of a ridge (100% flat), and contained many archaeological features such as: a circular structure, a kiln, winepresses, cupholes, and cisterns.

Lithics: Site examined 26 June 1998. 194 lithic artifacts were collected: 2 cores, 8 flakes, 6 blades (see Figure 12, no. 3), 4 bladelets (see Figure 12, no. 1-2), 4 scrapers, 1 arrowheads, and 169 debitage. The lithic artifacts of this site were similar to those of the Epi-Paleolithic period of the lower Jordan Valley (see Schuldenrein & Goldberg 1981), and to the Neolithic periods of Ain Ghazal (see Rollefson and Simmons 1984).

The economy: The lithic assemblage seemed to indicate a farming economy accompanied by slaughtering animals.

Site HS245

227851, 134850

This site was located on a slope near the top of a hill (100% gradual), and contained many archaeological features such as: quarries, and cupholes.

Lithics: Site examined 20 July 1998. 239 lithic artifacts were collected: 1 core, 8 flakes, 11 blades (see Figure 13, no. 2-3), 15 bladelets, 5 scrapers (see Figure 13, no. 1), and 199 debitage. This site was rich in lithics and seems similar to those of the Neolithic periods at Ain Ghazal (see Rollefson & Simmons 1984).

The economy: The economy of this site was based on farming in addition to hunting and slaughtering.

Interpretations and observations of the lithic material

The 1998 survey in the region of Tall Hesban represents a new interest in prehistory by the Madaba Plains Project, and the preliminary results are encouraging. The tools in the assemblage ranged in age from the Epi-Paleolithic to the Early Bronze Age (with a single tool dated, probably, to the Middle Paleolithic period). Although the number of sites discussed here is small, the distribution of prehistoric sites in the Hesban region seems to indicate exploitation of two main environmental zones and a clear preference for avoiding the deep wadis. Sites were located in three zones (see Map 1): on the plain (3, 5, 70, 71, 226, 229, 245), on the edge of the rift, between the plain and the steep descent to the Dead Sea (18, 21, 235,104, 10, 45, 28) and deep in the wadi (61). With the exception of the single site (61) in the wadi, sites were evenly divided between the plain and the edge of the rift. Further, looking at the sites period-by-period, there is no clear preference for plain or edge sites with each period being divided almost evenly between the two zones (Epi-Paleolithic 3/4, Neolithic 6/7, Chalcolithic/Early Bronze 3/3). This even division of sites between environmental zones may indicate that one of the attractions of the Hesban region during the prehistoric period was the opportunity to incorporate divergent environments into their subsistence strategies.

The lithic assemblage also seems to indicate an economic mix. Agricultural pursuits and butchering were suggested at most sites by the presence of sickle blades and scrapers. Lithics suggesting hunting activities, with the exception of site 226, were confined to those sites on the edge of the rift. This suggests that game was more plentiful in this zone. All these data indicate a strong relationship between humans and their environment in the Hesban region, and show that the region was extensively inhabited as early as the Epi-Paleolithic period up to the present day.


References

Aharoni, Yohanan.
1982 The Archaeology Of The Land of Israel. The Westminster Press. Philadelphia.

Anti, Emmanual.
1963 Palestine Before The Hebrew. Thirty Bedford Square. London.

Bar-Yosef, O.
1992 The Neolithic Period; In; Ancient Israel (eds. Amnon Ben -Tor). Yale University Press. London. PP: 157-162.

Bar-Josef, O.
1994 Form, Function and Numbers in Neolithic Lithic Studies; In, Neolithic Chipped Stone Industries of The Fertile Crescent: Proceedings of The First Workshop on PPN Chipped Lithic Industries (eds. Gebel, H. G. & Kozlowski, S. K.). Berlin, Ex Oriente. PP: 5-14.

Bar-Yosef, O. & Kislev, M.
1989 Early Farming Communities in The Jordan Valley; In, Foraging and Farming (eds. Harries, D. & Hillman, G.). Unwin Hyman. London. PP: 632-642.

Bar-Yosef, O. Belfer-Cohen, A.
1992 From Foraging to Farming in The Mediterranean Levant; In, Transitions to Agriculture in Prehistory (eds. Gebauer, B. & Prise, D.). Prehistory Press. Madison, Wisconsin. PP: 21-48.

Bar-Yosef, O. & Meadow, R.
1995 The Origins of Agriculture in The Near East; In, Last Hunters-First Farmers (eds. Price, D. & Gebauer, B.). Schools of American Research Press. Santa Fe, New Mexico. PP: 39-94.

Basancon, J. & Copeland, L. & Hours, F. & Macaire, J. & Sanlaville, P.
1984 The Lower and Middle Paleolithic In The Upper Zarqa / Khirbet Samra Area of Northern Jordan: 1982 -1983 Survey Results; In, Annual of The Department of Antiquities of Jordan (ADAJ). Vol. XXVIII. PP: 91-142.

Byrd, B. & Rollefson, G.
1984 Natufian Occupation In The Wadi El-Hasa Southern Jordan; In, ADAJ. Vol. XXVIII. PP: 143-150.

Garner, R & A.
1981 Notes On A Paleolithic Flint Scatter In The Jiza Plain of Jordan; In, ADAJ. Vol. XXV. PP: 147-152.

Gebel, H. G. & Starck, J. M.
1985 Investigation Into The Stone Age Of The Petra Area (Early Holocene Research; A Preliminary Report On The 1984 Campaigns); In, ADAJ. Vol. XXIX. PP: 89-114.

Henry, D. & Hassan, F. & Jones, M. & Henry, K.
1980 An Investigation of The prehistory and Paleo-environments of Southern Jordan (1979 season); In, ADAJ. Vol. XXV. PP: 113-146.

Ibach, Jr. Robert D.
1987 Archaeological Survey of The Hesban Region: Catalogue of Sites and Characterization of Periods. Hesban 5. Andrews University Press.

Crowfoot Payne, J.
1983 The Flint Industries of Jericho; In, Excavations At Jericho (eds. Kenyon, K. & Holland, T). Vol. V. The British School Of Archaeology. Jerusalem. PP: 622-757.

Kirkbride, D.
1956 A Neolithic Site at Wadi El-Yabis; In, ADAJ. Vol. III, PP: 57-60.

Kirkbride, D.
1966 Five Seasons at the Pre-Pottery Neolithic Village of Beidha in Jordan; In, Palestine Exploration Quarterly. London. PP: 8-72.

MacDonald, B. & Rollefson, G. & Banning, E. & Bynd, B. & Annibale, C.
1983 The Wadi El-Hasa Archaeological Survey 1982: A Preliminary Report; In, ADAJ. Vol. XXVII. PP: 311-323.

Rollefson, G.
1980 The Paleolithic Industries of Ain El-Assad (Lion's Spring), Near Azraq, Eastern Jordan; In, ADAJ. Vol. XXIV, PP: 129-144.

Rollefson, G.
1981 The Late Acheulean Site el-Fjaje, Wadi Bustan, Southern Jordan; In, Paleorient. Vol. 7/1. PP: 5-21.

Rollefson, G.
1983 The 1982 Excavations at Ain Ghazal: Preliminary Report; In, ADAJ. Vol. XXVII. PP: 1-25.

Rollefson, G. & Simmons, A.
1984 The 1983 season At Ain Ghazal: Preliminary Report; In, ADAJ. Vol. XXVIII. PP: 13-30.

Rollefson, G. & Kafafi, Z. & Simmon. A.
1990 The Neolithic Village of Ain Ghazal, Jordan: Preliminary Report on The 1988 Season; In, BASOR. Supplement No. 27. PP: 95-116.

Rollefson, G.
1993 Prehistoric Time; In, The History of Ancient Palestine From The Paleolithic Period to Alexander's Conquest (eds. Gosta Ahlestrom). Sheffield Academic Press. England. PP: 72-111.

Sayej, G.
1997 The Neolithic Strata of Tell Jenin North West Bank, Palestine, In, NEOLITHIC 1/97. ex oriente. Free University of Berlin

Schuldenrein, J. & Goldberg, P.
1981 Late Quaternary Paleo-environments and Prehistoric Site Distributions In The Lower Jordan Valley; In, Paleorient. Vol. 7/1. PP: 57-71.

Villiers, L.
1983 Final report on Paleolithic Sampling at Abu el-Khas, North; In, ADAJ. Vol. XXVII. PP: 27-44.

Acknowledgments

I would also like to thank Dr. Oysten LaBianca and Dr. Gary Christopherson for encouraging and supporting me throughout my fieldwork in Jordan as well as during the writing of this report. A special thanks to the latter for his help in editing the manuscript, and for his fruitful comments; however, any mistakes in the completed work are my own. I am also thankful to the Palestine Institute of Archaeology (PIA) the Lower Jordan Basin project and to the Madaba Plains Project for their financial support. A special thanks to Mr. Ibrahim Iqtait for his drawings of the lithics.

About The Author

Ghattas Sayej has his M.A. in prehistoric archaeology from the University of Bergen, Norway. His B.A.was obtained from BirZeit University, Palestine, in the field of Archaeology-History. Presently he is working as a researcher and a part time lecturer at the Institute of Archaeology, BirZeit University. 1998 was his first season with the Madaba Plains Project. Correspondence may be sent to: Institute of Archaeology, BirZeit University, P.O. Box 14. BirZeit, West Bank-Palestine, Via Israel. Phone (972) 2-298-2974, or by email: gsayej@arch.birzeit.edu