Tell el-'Oueili

Tell el-'Oueili
Shown within Iraq
Location Iraq
Region Dhi Qar Governorate
Coordinates 31°14′35″N 45°53′06″E / 31.243°N 45.885°E / 31.243; 45.885Coordinates: 31°14′35″N 45°53′06″E / 31.243°N 45.885°E / 31.243; 45.885
Type settlement
Length 200 metres (660 ft)
Height 5 metres (16 ft)
History
Abandoned before 3000 BCE
Periods Ubaid
Site notes
Excavation dates 1976, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989
Archaeologists A. Parrot. J.-L. Huot

Tell el-'Oueili is a tell, or ancient settlement mound, located in Dhi Qar Governorate, southern Iraq. The site was excavated between 1976 and 1989 by French archaeologists under the direction of Jean-Louis Huot. The excavations have revealed occupation layers predating those of Eridu, making Tell el-'Oueili the earliest known human settlement in southern Mesopotamia.

History of research

The site was first noted and surveyed by French scholar André Parrot, who at the time was working at nearby Larsa.[1] Two small excavation seasons took place in 1976 and 1978, and regular excavations commenced in 1981.[2] Four more seasons took place in every uneven year until 1989. All excavations were directed by French archaeologist Jean-Louis Huot.[3]

Tell el-'Oueili and its environment

The site measures 200 metres (660 ft) in diameter and is approximately 5 metres (16 ft) high.[1] It is located ca. 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) southeast of Larsa in Dhi Qar Governorate, southern Iraq. The environment of 'Oueili is characterized by temperatures that can reach more than 50º C in summer and less than 250 mm of annual rainfall, making the area unsuitable for rainfed agriculture.[4]

Occupation history

Tell el-'Oueili was occupied during the Ubaid period. The excavations have revealed occupation layers dating from Ubaid 0 (6500-5400 BCE) to Ubaid 4. The phase Ubaid 0 was first discovered at this site and was hence provisionally termed 'Oueili-phase.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Huot, J.-L. (1980), "Tell el'Oueili (Iraq): les Premiers Résultats", Paléorient (in French), 6 (1): 207–211, doi:10.3406/paleo.1980.4270, retrieved 2 August 2011
  2. 1 2 Huot, J.-L. (1985), "Tell el'Oueili. Principaux Résultats de la Quatrième Campagne (1983)", Paléorient (in French), 11 (1): 119–123, doi:10.3406/paleo.1985.4367, retrieved 2 August 2011
  3. ↑ Vallet, R.; Huot, J.-L. (1990), "Les Habitations à salles hypostyles d'époque Obeid 0 de Tell El'Oueili", Paléorient (in French), 16 (1): 125–130, doi:10.3406/paleo.1990.4527, retrieved 2 August 2011
  4. ↑ Huot, J.-L. (1985a), "Travaux en basse Mésopotamie. Les fouilles françaises à Larsa et 'Oueili", Comptes-rendus des séances de l'Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres (in French), 129 (2): 300–318, doi:10.3406/crai.1985.14270, retrieved 2 August 2011
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