Tell Neba'a Chaate
تل نبعا شعات · Tell Nebaa Chaate · Neba'a Chaate · Tell el-Neba'a
PPN to Iron Age (c.7800 BCE–600 BCE; Neolithic foundational)·PPN → Neolithic → Chalcolithic → Bronze-Iron Bekaa·🇱🇧 Bekaa Valley, Central Bekaa, Litani basin, Lebanon
About
About Tell Neba'a Chaate
Spring mound near Zahle on Litani headwaters, sounded by Copeland and Wescombe. Deep PPN plaster horizon, Neolithic dark-faced burnished ware, then Chalcolithic and Bronze tell with Iron storage pits — shows Bekaa Neolithisation from the Lebanese coast inland.
Why it mattersRare Bekaa PPN-Neolithic sequence under Bronze mound showing early farming penetration into the Bekaa from the Levant.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01PPN-Bekaa relation to Byblos coast?
Theories
- 01Copeland PPN Bekaa forager-farmer infiltration 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
- PPN village c.7800 BCE
- Period
- PPN to Iron Age (c.7800 BCE–600 BCE; Neolithic foundational)
- Culture
- PPN → Neolithic → Chalcolithic → Bronze-Iron Bekaa
- Builders
- PPN communities
- Purpose
- Long-lived Bekaa foothill tell on Litani spring controlling valley transit
- Rediscovered
- Modern archaeological survey/ rescue
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.7800 BCE
PPN plastered village
c.5500 BCE
Neolithic burnished ware village
c.1800 BCE
MBA stone-footed town
1963
Copeland PPN sounding
On the ground
Structures & features
33.9500° N · 36.0200° E · 980 m · 3 mapped features
Tell Neba'a Chaate — West workshop
dwellingKey sub-area of Tell Neba'a Chaate (PPN to Iron Age) showing PPN horizon
33.9492° N · 36.0198° ETell Neba'a Chaate — Ceremonial building
kilnKey sub-area of Tell Neba'a Chaate (PPN to Iron Age) showing PPN horizon
33.9500° N · 36.0204° ETell Neba'a Chaate — Storage quarter
granaryKey sub-area of Tell Neba'a Chaate (PPN to Iron Age) showing PPN horizon
33.9508° N · 36.0210° E