Tell Aswad (Damascène)

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Abstract
Tell Aswad, in the Damascus basin, was settled by a community offarmers and huniers from early VIIIth Millennium (ca. 7800 BC) to mid VIIth Millennium. Lithic industries seem located both on typological and geographical grounds in a transitional position between those from Palestine and Middle Euphrates. Basai Aswad I shows both in its flaking techniques (naviform cores, crested blades) and in its sickles types features in common with Mureybet III, which shall only reach Palestine during PPNB, thus confirming the mainly Syrian origin ofthe latter. Notched arrowheads types (with deep basai notches) and their survival later than on the Euphrates already show evidence however of some westward links. These increase notably in VIIth Millennium Aswad II, with typological types (Jericho and Amuq points) which shall only reach the Euphrates much later or not at all. Vegetable remains from Tell Aswad point to plant cultivation from the beginning of the site on. Triticum dicoccum, Lens culinaris and Pisum sativum are among earliest crop plants. It is not certain wether in the early stages of habitation barley was grown intentionally. Triticum cf. durum, Triticum monococcum and Hordeum nudum did not arrive at Aswad until after 7300 BC. The possibility of the exploitation of surface water for agricultural purposes is discussed. Interpreting Tell Aswad's pollen analysis suggests assumptions regarding soil exploitation patterns, such as rotating crops, threshing and winnowing.

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