Chapter 6: Neolithic 4 SHEIKH ALI (Pages 456-457)

Pre-History and Archaeology Glossary

Excerpts and Definitions and Addendums

The two upper levels at Sheikh Ali were called strata I and II, srtatum I being subdivided into three phases; a, b, and c. Strata Ib, Ic and II were inhabited in this stage. The buildings in these strata were rectilinear with several rooms and their walls had stone foundations. The floors of the room were made of crushed chalk while the yards outside were roughly paved. In these open spaces between the buildings were small pits, some of which were lined with stones like those in the Neolithique Recent settlement at Byblos.

Associated with these buildings were a flint assemblage and potsherds characteristic of other Neolithic 4 Palestinian sites. The pots consisted of globular jars, small bowls and cup. These were coloured red, brown or black and often burnished, sometimes to a lustrous finish. Some vesels were decorated with incised designs usually combined with painted and burnished bands. These incised patterns consisted of both stab marks and combing. The pottery was similar in shape and finish to that from Munhatta 2A.

The Ia phase of occupation at Sheikh Ali falls within the Chalcolithic since both the pottery and flints are more like those of Ghassul than Neolithic 4 sites.

Some evidence of Neolithic 4 occupation was found at Beth Shan. Bun brick structures were excavated in level XVIII above the basal layers with pits. Red painted pottery and strap handles with splayed attachments were found in both levels and some ledge handles with finger impressed edges known also from Munhatta 2A and Pottery Neolithic B Jericho. The other material from level XVIII was Chalcolithic ...

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