The provided text offers a comprehensive overview of archaeological tells, defining them as artificial mounds formed by the accumulated remains of successive human settlements over long periods, primarily in the Near East and other regions. It explains their formation process, emphasizing the role of mudbrick architecture and the continuous cycle of building, decay, and rebuilding, as well as cultural factors like intramural burial that anchored communities to a location. The text discusses the stratigraphic principles used by archaeologists to interpret these layered historical archives, distinguishing tells from other types of mounds such as burial or ceremonial mounds. Finally, it highlights the scientific significance of tells as invaluable resources for understanding major human transformations, including the origins of agriculture and urbanism, through modern investigative methodologies.
This page was created on: July 29, 2025