Structure 2 at Wadi Hammeh 27 is the largest known Natufian building ever discovered — a 14m by 11m oval enclosed by three concentric dry-built limestone walls around a central pile of at least 10 large boulders. Mud was used as mortar in places, the interior floor sat roughly 30cm lower behind a pre-cut step, and circular stone-packed niches around the perimeter likely held posts. Inside, hearths and workstations point to cooking and toolmaking.
Largest known Natufian structure, 14m oval, identified at Wadi Hammeh 27
Site mentioned
📍 Wadi Hammeh 27
Key facts
- Structure 2 at Wadi Hammeh 27 is the largest known Natufian structure ever discovered
- The oval structure measures 14m north-south by 11m east-west
- It is built with three concentric walls set around a central pile of at least 10 large limestone boulders
- The structure is dry-built from undressed limestone with some travertine, siltstone, and broken basalt artifacts incorporated
- Mud was used as mortar in places to increase wall stability
- The interior floor was set down approximately 30cm with a pre-cut step and low terrace wall
- Circular niches packed with small stones along the outer perimeter wall served as post supports
- Hearths, fireplaces, workstations, and smaller post holes were found inside indicating cooking and artifact manufacturing
Sources
Wadi Hammeh 27, Section A-B through Phase 1 of Structure 2 ...researchgate.net
Wadi Hammeh 27, Section A-B through Phase 1 of Structure 2. Concepts of refuse behavior and site abandonment have been developed that show potential to ...
Oldest Large-Scale Slab in the Levant - World History Encyclopediaworldhistory.org
A line of 3 slabs bearing this decoration was found in a wall inside "Structure 2" at Wadi al-Hammeh 27. They were supported by a backing of ...
The Natural Inspiration for Natufian Art: Cases from Wadi Hammeh 27 ...cambridge.org
The focal area of Structure 2 is further distinguished by the presence of five of six small decorated stone fragments found at the site, bearing ...
Wadi Hammeh 27 - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Wadi Hammeh 27 is a Late Epipalaeolithic archaeological site in Pella, Jordan. It consists of the remains of a large settlement dating to the Early Natufian ...
Wadi Hammeh 27: An Early Natufian Settlement at Pella in Jordanwhitelevy.fas.harvard.edu
It has a varied assemblage of 275 basalt artefacts, and over 550 bone artefacts which include the largest known collection of bone sickles known from any ...
Was this story useful?
Keep exploring
Every site on this page sits on the globe, and the people who research them are on the Discord.
3D Globe · Sites by country · Story Archive · Research Library · Weekly Journal · Search
AI-generated text · images from the original sources · always verify with the sources.