Papers by Paul Newson
This exploratory paper makes an assessment of our knowledge of the archaeological landscapes of t... more This exploratory paper makes an assessment of our knowledge of the archaeological landscapes of the Bekaa Valley. As an exemplar the paper utilises as a framework the seminal fieldwork study of Leon Marfoe in assessing what we understand about the central Bekaa in the Graeco-Roman period. Marfoe's model of settlement development for this region and period is comprehensive and complex, however as the paper reveals, modern techniques of landscape archaeology can provide more detailed information and a more nuanced understanding of the settlement history. The paper indicates that the Bekaa is a rich archaeological palimpsest for future research.
The subject of this paper is the impact of Roman Imperialism on the rural environment of Syria. I... more The subject of this paper is the impact of Roman Imperialism on the rural environment of Syria. It was formerly assumed that the cultures of the Near East had already been subject to a long period of Greek cultural influence, that they had effectively been Hellenized prior to their incorporation within the Roman Empire. Consequently, Roman influence within the Near East has been viewed as minimal, in both socio-political and cultural terms: Roman forms of control were a continuation of what had been developed in the pre-Roman era and Roman culture was essentially a variant of Greek culture. Using the evidence of the basalt landscape of the Homs region of Syria, this paper applies concepts developed in postcolonial theory to the mechanisms of imperialism and the subsequent processes of colonization, particularly hybridity. As a result, evidence for more intensive Roman involvement within Syria and the generation of new local, regional and empire-wide cultural forms can be seen. From an understanding of the funerary material remains surveyed in this region, I suggest Roman hegemony caused the development of a much more complex interplay between different sections of society, leading to fundamental changes in the rural culture and way the rural landscape was seen and used.
Within the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon and its environs,
various forms of burial have been noted from... more Within the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon and its environs,
various forms of burial have been noted from earlier
surveys and more recently from chance excavations.
The dominant geology of the Bekaa is limestone, which
is easy to cut and shape, making it an excellent material
for both funerary structures and artifacts. Burial structures
along with evidence of funerary activities provide
a range of types, which can be spatially located across
the valley—potentially telling us about settlement and
local cultural customs. This article will provide insight
into what is known about Greco-Roman-period burials,
with an emphasis on the early Roman period when
the Bekaa was incorporated into the Roman colony of
Berytus (Beirut).
Hosn Niha is situated in a small subsidiary valley of the western Bekaa c. 8 km to the north east... more Hosn Niha is situated in a small subsidiary valley of the western Bekaa c. 8 km to the north east of the town of Zahle. The site sits at the edge of the eastern slope of Mount Sassine in a small isolated valley at an elevation of c. 1350m above sea level. The village at Hosn Niha has long since been abandoned; however the substantial remains of a large temple, part of an elaborate cult complex, and some other structures can be seen. The archaeological work at Hosn Niha was intended to shed light on a number of questions, such as the relationship between temple and village in the Graeco-Roman period, and more widely, the long-term development of the settlement. This project, begun in 2011, has a number of specific aims:
A – The state of site preservation
B – The extent of occupation at the site
C – An assessment of the basic chronology.
The ‘Land of Carchemish’ landscape survey project is investigating settlement patterns and develo... more The ‘Land of Carchemish’ landscape survey project is investigating settlement patterns and development to the south of the major settlement site at Carchemish (Greco-Roman Europos), in northern Syria. In terms of the Greco-Roman to Byzantine and early Islamic pottery collection this takes the form of surface collection from a range of sites. The paper presents a summary of Greco-Roman- Islamic pottery forms and fabrics collected. It then considers whether broad differences in settlement type can be distinguished from these assemblages; e.g. local urban centres such as Zeugma and Carchemish; settlements in the valley of the River Euphrates; rural settlements on the drier inland plateaus. The results show that even with casually collected surface pottery assemblages it is possible to differentiate between sites and if used carefully, to make some valid insights concerning a range of issues such the development of settlement and inter-regional relationships.
This paper reflects the two seasons of fieldwork undertaken in 2005 and 2006 by a small team in p... more This paper reflects the two seasons of fieldwork undertaken in 2005 and 2006 by a small team in part of the Shin basalt region, or Wa’ar, as it is known locally, to the north-west of Homs. It builds upon initial work undertaken in the basalt region as part of the Settlement and Landscape of the Homs Region Project (SHR Project). The work is focussed on understanding the development of the deserted village variously known as Khirbet Deir Salam or more usually Dar es-Salaam (‘House of Peace’ or ‘Place of Peace’).
Abstract: This report presents a summary of the methods and some preliminary results of fieldwork... more Abstract: This report presents a summary of the methods and some preliminary results of fieldwork by an interdisciplinary research team studying the landscape history of the upper Orontes Valley near Homs in western Syria. The particular focus of the project is to document long-term interrelationships between settlement and landscape in two adjacent but divergent regions.
New Prospecting in the Orontes Region. First Results of Archaeological Fieldwork, edited by K. Bartl & M. al-Maqdissi, 2014
Settlement, Landscape Archaeology, Remote Sensing by Paul Newson
Levant, Jan 1, 2005
This report presents a summary of the methods and some preliminary results of fieldwork by an int... more This report presents a summary of the methods and some preliminary results of fieldwork by an interdisciplinary research team studying the landscape history of the upper Orontes Valley near Homs in western Syria. The particular focus of the project is to document long-term inter-relationships between settlement and landscape in two adjacent but divergent regions. Geomorphological fieldwork on the Pleistocene and Holocene environments is considered first, with discussions focussing on the terraces of the River Orontes and the associated artefact material. Next, the geo-correction of satellite imagery and its profitable use in conducting fieldwork is outlined. What follows are some initial thoughts and results obtained for each region through three seasons of extensive and intensive fieldwork survey as guided by remote sensing methods. For the Southern Area these results are revealing differences in the densities of ‘off- site’ surface material. In the basalt region of the Northern Area satellite imagery has simplified methods of site detection. The report concludes with some preliminary observations on the main trends of settlement history that are emerging from the data.
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Papers by Paul Newson
various forms of burial have been noted from earlier
surveys and more recently from chance excavations.
The dominant geology of the Bekaa is limestone, which
is easy to cut and shape, making it an excellent material
for both funerary structures and artifacts. Burial structures
along with evidence of funerary activities provide
a range of types, which can be spatially located across
the valley—potentially telling us about settlement and
local cultural customs. This article will provide insight
into what is known about Greco-Roman-period burials,
with an emphasis on the early Roman period when
the Bekaa was incorporated into the Roman colony of
Berytus (Beirut).
A – The state of site preservation
B – The extent of occupation at the site
C – An assessment of the basic chronology.
Settlement, Landscape Archaeology, Remote Sensing by Paul Newson
various forms of burial have been noted from earlier
surveys and more recently from chance excavations.
The dominant geology of the Bekaa is limestone, which
is easy to cut and shape, making it an excellent material
for both funerary structures and artifacts. Burial structures
along with evidence of funerary activities provide
a range of types, which can be spatially located across
the valley—potentially telling us about settlement and
local cultural customs. This article will provide insight
into what is known about Greco-Roman-period burials,
with an emphasis on the early Roman period when
the Bekaa was incorporated into the Roman colony of
Berytus (Beirut).
A – The state of site preservation
B – The extent of occupation at the site
C – An assessment of the basic chronology.