Khirbet esh-Shenef

Khirbet esh-Shenef is a small mound, scarcely a quarter of a hectare large and no higher than two metres. You do not see it until you are right in front of it. Because of the small size and the absence of later occupation it is possible to excavate this small village for as large a surface area as possible. So far two field campaigns (1988 and 1991) have been carried out, in which we have excavated about 350 m2.

The settlement is dated in the Halaf period (c. 5600 BC). The village conveys an impression of openness and at first sight it seems to have been built in a careless manner. On closer inspection some planning becomes apparent after all. A large rectangular building dominates the southeastern corner of the village. Probably this building was not used for living but for storing grain or other products.

Around it there are a number of large, round buildings, the so-called tholoi, which are characteristic for Halaf culture. The hearths and domestic utensils found in it suggest that the round buildings were mainly used for living. North of all this we have found a concentration of ovens and a number of small storage constructions

A characteristic shape is that of the so-called Trichterrandbecher: deep, carinated bowls, with a steep, outward-turned rim. The painting of the pottery shows a preference for geometrical patterns, but stylized images of cattle have frequently been found as well. For the inhabitants game-hunting was an important means of subsistence, particularly for onager and gazelle.