Article,
Investigating the Neolithic rubble layers of ‘Ain Ghazal, Jordan, using luminescence dating
Contributors
Al Khasawneh, Sahar
0000-0001-6406-0393
(Corresponding author)
[1]
Alqudah, Mohammad
0000-0002-5255-8394
[1]
Murray, Andrew Sean
0000-0001-5559-1862
[2]
Affiliations
- [1] Yarmouk University [NORA names: Jordan; Asia, Middle East];
- [2] Nordic Laboratory for Luminescence Dating [NORA names: Unclear Universities; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD]
Abstract
A chronological study was conducted on the Neolithic depositional layers widely known as ‘Rubble layers’ at the Neolithic site ‘Ain Ghazal, Jordan. The aim of this study was to provide new knowledge about the layers, and their deposition, using luminescence dating. Luminescence ages suggests that the rubble layers were deposited in two distinct episodes, the first around 8.2–8.5 ka ago during the Yarmoukian period, and the second during Chalcolithic period around 6.6–7.4 ka ago. The earlier episode is contemporaneous with records of episodic torrential rainfall during an arid period between 8.6 and 8.0 ka ago, supporting the hypothesis of deposition by natural causes such as flash floods.
Keywords
Chalcolithic,
Chalcolithic period,
Jordan,
Neolithic sites,
age,
arid periods,
cause,
chronological study,
deposited layers,
deposition,
episodes,
flash,
flash floods,
flood,
hypothesis,
knowledge,
layer,
luminescence,
luminescence ages,
natural causes,
period,
rainfall,
records,
rubble,
rubble layer,
sites,
study,
torrential rainfall
