Tell Abr
تل عبر · Tell ‘Abr · Tel Abr, Euphrates
PPNA to PPNB (c.9600–8000 BCE)·PPNA → PPNB (Euphrates Neolithic)·🇸🇾 Aleppo Governorate, Euphrates, Tishrin segment, Syria
About
About Tell Abr
Low mound on the Euphrates Tishrin plain, excavated by Yartah (Syrian-French) before Tishrin dam. PPNA pits under PPNB rectilinear plaster-floored houses and communal building with lime kilns. Early wheat and barley with domestic goats show sedentary farming before Halula.
Why it mattersEuphrates PPNB village that together with Jerf el Ahmar shows PPNA-PPNB architectural transition before pottery.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why shift from round to rectilinear at 8500 BCE?
Theories
- 01Stordeur Euphrates communal-to-domestic model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- PPNA village c.9600 BCE
- Period
- PPNA to PPNB (c.9600–8000 BCE)
- Culture
- PPNA → PPNB (Euphrates Neolithic)
- Builders
- PPNA communities
- Purpose
- PPNA-PPNB farming village with communal architecture and lime-plaster floors
- Rediscovered
- Modern archaeological survey/ rescue
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.9600 BCE
PPNA pit village
c.8500 BCE
PPNB rectilinear plaster houses
1990
Yartah Tishrin rescue
1998
Last season before inundation fringe
On the ground
Structures & features
36.4500° N · 38.1500° E · 310 m · 3 mapped features
Tell Abr — Cemetery area
cemeteryKey sub-area of Tell Abr (PPNA to PPNB) showing PPNA horizon
36.4494° N · 38.1496° ETell Abr — Kiln field
templeKey sub-area of Tell Abr (PPNA to PPNB) showing PPNA horizon
36.4502° N · 38.1502° ETell Abr — Palatial compound
fortificationKey sub-area of Tell Abr (PPNA to PPNB) showing PPNA horizon
36.4510° N · 38.1508° E
Gallery