A glimpse of human life from the Neolithic cemetery at Tell el-Kerkh, Northwest Syria

Abstract

The excavations at Tell el-Kerkh, Northwest Syria, have uncovered the presence of a large Neolithic settlement that had a long cultural sequence. The settlement covers a vast area of at least 16ha and shows signs that it was a complex society. Excavations recently revealed a Neolithic cemetery with the remains of over 240 individuals that is one of the earliest outdoor communal cemeteries in West Asia. The discovery of the cemetery has provided a great deal of information about Neolithic life, and forms the basis of this paper, which discusses causes of death, division of labour, and ownership in Kerkh Neolithic society.