New Thesis

Jammo, Sari
2018 Beyond Death: The Tale of a Neolithic
Society and the Study of an Outdoor Communal
Cemetery at Tell el-Kerkh, Northwest Syria. PhD
thesis, University of Tsukuba. Supervisors: Akira
Tsuneki, Yutaka Miyake, Shigeo Yamada, andYoko Taniguchi.

Abstract
People in Near Eastern Neolithic societies buried
their dead in various locations. Most often thedeceased were buried within the settlement boundaries
and associated with certain building structures and incourtyards. Through the long process of transition
into agricultural societies and settled-farmer villages,
major changes related to social structure, funeralpractices and the role of the deceased in the life of
the living were notable. Various complicated funeralpractices including the disposal of the dead andthe manipulation of the remains suggests that theinhabitants were involved in spirituality. Further,
the relationship between the deceased and living
influenced the spiritual dimension of human societies.
Thus, the deceased were always buried close to theliving or interred in structures that were used in daily
life suggesting a spatial tie between the living andspace.
Throughout the long period of development in theancient societies from the hunting- gathering nomadic
way of life in the Natufian period to the settled farming way of life in the Neolithic period, the locationof graves and the interment pattern varied. In this research, a number of sites were selected from eachperiod in order to ascertain the spatial context of thegrave location in the settlement and the role of thedead in the lives of the living. Analyses have shownthat the burials in the Natufian period took place inthe fill of structures or were associated with dwellings and occasionally in abandoned houses. Further,some sites were used exclusively for burials before
the construction of the settlement such as Hilazon
Tachtit and Raqefet Cave, which indicate that thegrave played a role in the settlement foundation. In
contrast, the burials in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period were tied to the settlement’s residential areas andtook place in some instances in actively used structures. However, non- residential structures bearing
religious meaning were also used as the final place
for burials. Hence, a spatial relationship between thevenue where the communal activities took place andthe burials is obvious. Further, the deceased were buried in close vicinity to the residential structures whereritual practices were undertaken. The human remains
were ultimately placed in their final deposit and werein general associated with building structures. Thus,
the building structure played a role by linking theliving to their ancestral lineages indicating a placebased identity.

Excavations in the PN period have revealed a completely altered image of life ways in PPN societies.
The northern Levantine sites revealed the existenceof cemeteries for the first time during this period,
which indicates a major transition in this period. In
this context, the excavations at Tell el-Kerkh in northwestern Syria revealed a unique outdoor communal
Pottery Neolithic cemetery. This cemetery was utilized for inhumation of the deceased regardless of age
and sex. A limited number of individuals were buriedin the structure after it was abandoned.
The transition in the burial location during the PN
period and the major changes related to the funeralpractices and the concept of expressing of identitydemonstrates a high degree of social complexity. The
common custom of interring the deceased in association with buildings, widely prevalent in the PPN,became less obvious. It is strongly argued that thehouses in the PN became increasingly related witheconomic activities rather than ancestor-based rituals.
The spatial relationship between the dead and thelocation of the grave in the PN period is linked toparticular places that formed a bridge connecting thegenerations to each other. These locations were inclose vicinity, in active-use or abandoned houses oron the designated land that allowed communal sharing activities and construction of a collective identity.
Sari Jammo
University of Tsukuba
Sari-0088@hotmail.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Figures
List of Tables
Abstract
CHAPTER 1: Introduction
1.
Research Background: Burial Customs/ Location in theNear East
2.
Objective of this Research
3.
Thesis Outline
CHAPTER 2: Burials in Archaeological Contexts in the
Natufian and the Pre-Pottery Neolithic Period
1.
Natufian Period
2.
Pre-Pottery Neolithic A Period (PPNA)
3.
Pre-Pottery Neolithic B Period (PPNB)
CHAPTER 3: Tell el-Kerkh and its Pottery Neolithic Cemetery1.
Archaeology of the Rouj Basin
2.
Research History and Excavation at Tell el-Kerkh
3.
Tell el-Kerkh Neolithic Cemetery
4.
Burial Types in Kerkh Cemetery
5.
Burials at Tell el-Kerkh Cemetery
6.
Stratigraphy of the Kerkh Cemetery and the Distributionof Burials
7.
Skull Removal Practice and Cycling of Human Body
Parts at Tell el-Kerkh

A13
Neo-Lithics 19

New Thesis
8.
9.

Circulating Human Bones
Grave Goods at Tell el-Kerkh Cemetery

CHAPTER 4: Burials in the Pottery Neolithic Period
1.
Introduction2.
Settlement Patterns
3.
Burials and Funeral Practices
4.
Further Investigation of Burials in the Pottery Neolithic
Period5.
The Significance of PN Sites: Similarities, Differences
and General Characteristics
6.
Final Remarks
CHAPTER 5: Discussion – Reasons for the Emergence ofTell el-Kerkh Cemetery1.
Environmental and Natural Contexts
2.
Social and Organizational Contexts
3.
Economic and Private Property Perspective
CHAPTER 6: Conclusion
Reference ListA14
Neo-Lithics 19