Recent wadi surveys shed additional light on the prehistoric occupation of the central Azraq Basin, Jordan

Jeremy A. Beller; Caitlin Craig; Holly O'Neil; Sarah J. Richardson; Mark Collard

doi:10.4312/dp.52.19

Authors

Jeremy A. Beller Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada; University of Bergen, Norway
Caitlin Craig Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
Holly O'Neil Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
Sarah J. Richardson University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
Mark Collard Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4312/dp.52.19

Keywords:

Pleistocene, Palaeolithic, Acheulean, Levallois, wetlands, desert archaeology

Abstract

The Azraq Basin in Jordan’s eastern desert features Qa’ Azraq, a seasonally flooded mudflat, and a spring-fed wetland complex that was vital for hominin populations in prehistory. A recent survey focused on prehistoric lithic artefacts along wadis draining into Qa’ Azraq, yielding over 900 artefacts. The chronologically diagnostic materials mainly originate from four Levantine prehistoric periods: the Lower, Middle, and Upper Palaeolithic, and Neolithic. While many artefact locations align with past findings, new discoveries alter our understanding of the basin’s prehistory. The study concludes with an updated prehistoric overview and recommendations for future fieldwork.

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