In my habilitation thesis (submitted April 2020) I investigate cultural memories of Mesopotamian ... more In my habilitation thesis (submitted April 2020) I investigate cultural memories of Mesopotamian societies from the 3rd until the 1st millennium BC. The study is based on two case studies, Ur in Babylonia and Assur in Assyria. Relevant contexts are interpreted within a theoretical framework provided by scholars from within the field of Memory Studies (most importantly Halbwachs, Assmann and Erll). Until now, studies on cultural memory in Mesopotamia have mainly focused on the importance of the Akkadian kings in later collective memories. In many cases, this has lead to one-sided and often superficial accounts. Contrary to this approach and based on archaeological and textual evidence, I can now show that cultural memories in Mesopotamia were much more diversified with apparent chronological and regional differences.
Abhandlungen des Deutschen Palästina-Vereins , 2019
A unique monumental building dating to the early part of the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 1900–1700 BCE... more A unique monumental building dating to the early part of the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 1900–1700 BCE) was uncovered at the southern Lebanese coast by the joint Lebanese-German excavation project at Tell el-Burak. The impressive architecture of the building was exposed in eight excavation seasons during the years 2001–2011. Inside the largest room of the Monumental Building at Tell el-Burak the excavations brought to light the sensational discovery of Middle Bronze Age mural paintings in situ on lime plaster covering the inner faces of its completely preserved mud-brick walls.
This volume edited by Jens Kamlah and Hélène Sader consists of the final publications of all excavation results concerning the Middle Bronze Age at Tell el- Burak. It furthermore includes an introduction into the joint Lebanese-German excavation project, chapters related to the site and the final publication of the excavated remains of the Late Medieval Period.
Fakenews und Geschichtsklitterung sind keine Erfindung der Neuzeit: Schon vor mehr als 4.000 Jahr... more Fakenews und Geschichtsklitterung sind keine Erfindung der Neuzeit: Schon vor mehr als 4.000 Jahren fälschten neubabylonische Könige Inschriften, wie die älteste Fälschung der Welt belegt. Doch warum wurden die Herrscher Mesopotamiens zu Fälschern? Und welche Fakenews lancierten sie?
Die Herrscher von Assyrien und Babylonien dokumentierten ihre oft umfangreichen Bautätigkeiten mit Inschriften, in denen sie sich auf Aktivitäten ihrer Vorgänger bezogen. In einigen wenigen Fällen machten Könige dabei jedoch bewusst falsche Angaben zur Vergangenheit. Was hinter diesen altmesopotamischen Fälschungen steckt, erforscht die Vorderasiatische Archäologie an der Universität Heidelberg.
Over the last few years, significant interest has been addressed in developing computer-based met... more Over the last few years, significant interest has been addressed in developing computer-based methods to document and analyze fragments of ceramics sherds in archaeology. This is because traditional manual processes do not allow for an objective, repeatable, and reproducible analysis of the large quantities of material needed to fully understand and explain human practices in various cultural contexts, such as the economy, daily life, and the material expression of religious beliefs. In that context, this paper proposes a fully digital methodology resulting from the constitution of an international research group coming from different scientific backgrounds: archaeologists with specific skills and experience in fast 3D geometry acquisition methods and researchers who developed and pub- lished the only available computer-based process for recognizing the geometric and morphological sherds features analyzed by archaeologists. The proposed methodology consists of two main parts: 1. 3D acquisi- tion of sherds with the construction of the discrete 3D manifold model based on the Structure for Motion technologies; 2. recognition, segmentation, and dimensional characterization of morphological and geo- metrical features based on the codification and algorithmic implementation of the knowledge used by the archeologists in the traditional method. The method was applied to analyze a set of 133 sherds excavated at Tell el-Burak (Lebanon) to obtain, through the analysis of the namely Phoenician carinated-shoulder amphorae, new insights into the economic organization of the Phoenician homeland. The method demon- strated the potential for objectively, repeatedly, and reproducibly analyzing large quantities of sherds. Fur- thermore, it allowed studying sherds by generating new high-level knowledge from those acquired from 3D models; in particular, this paper introduces new morphological features that help the archaeologist classify fragments from an analysis of the rim’s shape.
This paper discusses the written evidence for the word šaḫūru, which denotes a building or part o... more This paper discusses the written evidence for the word šaḫūru, which denotes a building or part of a building in Assyrian and Babylonian structures. A comparison of the textual evidence with the archaeological evidence from Aššur and Mari is used to consider the meaning and function of šaḫūru. Finally, it is discussed whether šaḫūru could have played a special role in the organization of festivals at the sites mentioned.
This paper presents a new rapid, low-cost method for the large-scale documentation of pottery she... more This paper presents a new rapid, low-cost method for the large-scale documentation of pottery sherds through simultaneous multiple 3D model capture using Structure from Motion (SfM). The method has great potential to enhance and replace time-consuming and expensive conventional approaches for pottery documentation, i.e., 2D photographs and drawing on paper with subsequent digitization of the drawings. To showcase the method’s e!ectiveness and applicability, a case study was developed in the context of an investigation of the Phoenician economy at the Lebanese site of Tell el-Burak, which is based on a large collection of amphora sherds. The same set of sherds were drawn by an experienced draftsperson and then documented through SfM using our new work"ow to allow for a direct comparison. The results show that the new technique detailed here is accessible, more cost-e!ective, and allows for the documentation of ceramic data at a far-greater scale, while producing more consistent and reproducible results. We expect that these factors will enable excavators to greatly increase digital access to their material, which will signi#cantly enhance its utility for subsequent research.
This report summarises the results of two survey seasons conducted in southern Lebanon by the tea... more This report summarises the results of two survey seasons conducted in southern Lebanon by the team of the Zahrani Regional Survey Project. The area is located south of Sidon with the Zahrani River at its northern border. It had not been systematically surveyed before. The project is the outcome of a cooperation between the American University of Beirut, the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, the Vorderasiatisches Museum Berlin and Durham University. Our work during two campaigns in 2017 and 2018 lead to the detection of over twenty new archaeological sites, which until then had never been investigated and recorded. Most of these discovered vestiges date to the Roman and Mamluk/Ottoman periods. In this preliminary report, we give an overview of the mission, its goals and our methodology. This is followed by a presentation of each site with descriptions and illustrations of building remains and the collected surface finds
Mitteilungen der Deutschen Orient-Gesellschaft, 2019
This report summarizes the results of two survey seasons conducted in southern Lebanon by the tea... more This report summarizes the results of two survey seasons conducted in southern Lebanon by the team of the Zahrani Regional Survey Project. The survey area is situated south of Sidon with the Zahrani river at its northern border. It had never been systematically surveyed before. The project is a cooperation between the American University of Beirut, the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, the Vorderasiatisches Museum Berlin and Durham University. Our work during two seasons in 2017 and 2018 lead to the discovery of over 20 new archaeological sites, which until then had never been investigated and recorded. Einleitung
Near-Surface Geophysics Group (NSGG)
Recent Work in Archaeological Geophysics
The Geological Soci... more Near-Surface Geophysics Group (NSGG) Recent Work in Archaeological Geophysics The Geological Society Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG Tuesday 4th December 2018
in: J. M. Evans and E. Rossberger (eds.), Ancient Near Eastern temple inventories in the third and second millennia BCE: integrating archaeological, textual and visual sources (MAAO 4), 2019
As part of an on-going research project, the author has reevaluated the publications and unpublis... more As part of an on-going research project, the author has reevaluated the publications and unpublished eld documentation pertaining to the excavation of the Ganunmaḫ at Ur. This research not only lead to solving a series of problems inherent in Woolley’s reports with which various scholars had struggled for decades (sections 2 and 3), but it also resulted in the compilation of a complete catalog of finds from the Ganunmaḫ and their correct attribution to the respective find contexts (section 4). This contribution discusses the material found under the Kassite period floors of several rooms in the Ganunmaḫ. Their analysis helps to gain insight into dedicatory practices during third and second millennium BC Ur and adds important information on temple inventories for this time period. In addition, a complete list of clay tablets and sealings found in the Ganunmaḫ is provided.
This paper gives an overview of the excavations carried out from 2001-2018 at the late Iron Age a... more This paper gives an overview of the excavations carried out from 2001-2018 at the late Iron Age and Persian period Phoenician site at Tell el-Burak. It focuses on the presentation of the ceramic material associated with the respective contexts. By comparing the Tell el-Burak pottery with the material from other sites in the Levant a chronological framework for the different phases of the settlement will be established.
in: D. Prechel and H. Neumann (eds), Beiträge zur Kenntnis und Deutung altorientalischer Archivalien. Festschrift für Helmut Freydank zum 80. Geburtstag (dubsar 6), 2019
In my habilitation thesis (submitted April 2020) I investigate cultural memories of Mesopotamian ... more In my habilitation thesis (submitted April 2020) I investigate cultural memories of Mesopotamian societies from the 3rd until the 1st millennium BC. The study is based on two case studies, Ur in Babylonia and Assur in Assyria. Relevant contexts are interpreted within a theoretical framework provided by scholars from within the field of Memory Studies (most importantly Halbwachs, Assmann and Erll). Until now, studies on cultural memory in Mesopotamia have mainly focused on the importance of the Akkadian kings in later collective memories. In many cases, this has lead to one-sided and often superficial accounts. Contrary to this approach and based on archaeological and textual evidence, I can now show that cultural memories in Mesopotamia were much more diversified with apparent chronological and regional differences.
Abhandlungen des Deutschen Palästina-Vereins , 2019
A unique monumental building dating to the early part of the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 1900–1700 BCE... more A unique monumental building dating to the early part of the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 1900–1700 BCE) was uncovered at the southern Lebanese coast by the joint Lebanese-German excavation project at Tell el-Burak. The impressive architecture of the building was exposed in eight excavation seasons during the years 2001–2011. Inside the largest room of the Monumental Building at Tell el-Burak the excavations brought to light the sensational discovery of Middle Bronze Age mural paintings in situ on lime plaster covering the inner faces of its completely preserved mud-brick walls.
This volume edited by Jens Kamlah and Hélène Sader consists of the final publications of all excavation results concerning the Middle Bronze Age at Tell el- Burak. It furthermore includes an introduction into the joint Lebanese-German excavation project, chapters related to the site and the final publication of the excavated remains of the Late Medieval Period.
Fakenews und Geschichtsklitterung sind keine Erfindung der Neuzeit: Schon vor mehr als 4.000 Jahr... more Fakenews und Geschichtsklitterung sind keine Erfindung der Neuzeit: Schon vor mehr als 4.000 Jahren fälschten neubabylonische Könige Inschriften, wie die älteste Fälschung der Welt belegt. Doch warum wurden die Herrscher Mesopotamiens zu Fälschern? Und welche Fakenews lancierten sie?
Die Herrscher von Assyrien und Babylonien dokumentierten ihre oft umfangreichen Bautätigkeiten mit Inschriften, in denen sie sich auf Aktivitäten ihrer Vorgänger bezogen. In einigen wenigen Fällen machten Könige dabei jedoch bewusst falsche Angaben zur Vergangenheit. Was hinter diesen altmesopotamischen Fälschungen steckt, erforscht die Vorderasiatische Archäologie an der Universität Heidelberg.
Over the last few years, significant interest has been addressed in developing computer-based met... more Over the last few years, significant interest has been addressed in developing computer-based methods to document and analyze fragments of ceramics sherds in archaeology. This is because traditional manual processes do not allow for an objective, repeatable, and reproducible analysis of the large quantities of material needed to fully understand and explain human practices in various cultural contexts, such as the economy, daily life, and the material expression of religious beliefs. In that context, this paper proposes a fully digital methodology resulting from the constitution of an international research group coming from different scientific backgrounds: archaeologists with specific skills and experience in fast 3D geometry acquisition methods and researchers who developed and pub- lished the only available computer-based process for recognizing the geometric and morphological sherds features analyzed by archaeologists. The proposed methodology consists of two main parts: 1. 3D acquisi- tion of sherds with the construction of the discrete 3D manifold model based on the Structure for Motion technologies; 2. recognition, segmentation, and dimensional characterization of morphological and geo- metrical features based on the codification and algorithmic implementation of the knowledge used by the archeologists in the traditional method. The method was applied to analyze a set of 133 sherds excavated at Tell el-Burak (Lebanon) to obtain, through the analysis of the namely Phoenician carinated-shoulder amphorae, new insights into the economic organization of the Phoenician homeland. The method demon- strated the potential for objectively, repeatedly, and reproducibly analyzing large quantities of sherds. Fur- thermore, it allowed studying sherds by generating new high-level knowledge from those acquired from 3D models; in particular, this paper introduces new morphological features that help the archaeologist classify fragments from an analysis of the rim’s shape.
This paper discusses the written evidence for the word šaḫūru, which denotes a building or part o... more This paper discusses the written evidence for the word šaḫūru, which denotes a building or part of a building in Assyrian and Babylonian structures. A comparison of the textual evidence with the archaeological evidence from Aššur and Mari is used to consider the meaning and function of šaḫūru. Finally, it is discussed whether šaḫūru could have played a special role in the organization of festivals at the sites mentioned.
This paper presents a new rapid, low-cost method for the large-scale documentation of pottery she... more This paper presents a new rapid, low-cost method for the large-scale documentation of pottery sherds through simultaneous multiple 3D model capture using Structure from Motion (SfM). The method has great potential to enhance and replace time-consuming and expensive conventional approaches for pottery documentation, i.e., 2D photographs and drawing on paper with subsequent digitization of the drawings. To showcase the method’s e!ectiveness and applicability, a case study was developed in the context of an investigation of the Phoenician economy at the Lebanese site of Tell el-Burak, which is based on a large collection of amphora sherds. The same set of sherds were drawn by an experienced draftsperson and then documented through SfM using our new work"ow to allow for a direct comparison. The results show that the new technique detailed here is accessible, more cost-e!ective, and allows for the documentation of ceramic data at a far-greater scale, while producing more consistent and reproducible results. We expect that these factors will enable excavators to greatly increase digital access to their material, which will signi#cantly enhance its utility for subsequent research.
This report summarises the results of two survey seasons conducted in southern Lebanon by the tea... more This report summarises the results of two survey seasons conducted in southern Lebanon by the team of the Zahrani Regional Survey Project. The area is located south of Sidon with the Zahrani River at its northern border. It had not been systematically surveyed before. The project is the outcome of a cooperation between the American University of Beirut, the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, the Vorderasiatisches Museum Berlin and Durham University. Our work during two campaigns in 2017 and 2018 lead to the detection of over twenty new archaeological sites, which until then had never been investigated and recorded. Most of these discovered vestiges date to the Roman and Mamluk/Ottoman periods. In this preliminary report, we give an overview of the mission, its goals and our methodology. This is followed by a presentation of each site with descriptions and illustrations of building remains and the collected surface finds
Mitteilungen der Deutschen Orient-Gesellschaft, 2019
This report summarizes the results of two survey seasons conducted in southern Lebanon by the tea... more This report summarizes the results of two survey seasons conducted in southern Lebanon by the team of the Zahrani Regional Survey Project. The survey area is situated south of Sidon with the Zahrani river at its northern border. It had never been systematically surveyed before. The project is a cooperation between the American University of Beirut, the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, the Vorderasiatisches Museum Berlin and Durham University. Our work during two seasons in 2017 and 2018 lead to the discovery of over 20 new archaeological sites, which until then had never been investigated and recorded. Einleitung
Near-Surface Geophysics Group (NSGG)
Recent Work in Archaeological Geophysics
The Geological Soci... more Near-Surface Geophysics Group (NSGG) Recent Work in Archaeological Geophysics The Geological Society Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG Tuesday 4th December 2018
in: J. M. Evans and E. Rossberger (eds.), Ancient Near Eastern temple inventories in the third and second millennia BCE: integrating archaeological, textual and visual sources (MAAO 4), 2019
As part of an on-going research project, the author has reevaluated the publications and unpublis... more As part of an on-going research project, the author has reevaluated the publications and unpublished eld documentation pertaining to the excavation of the Ganunmaḫ at Ur. This research not only lead to solving a series of problems inherent in Woolley’s reports with which various scholars had struggled for decades (sections 2 and 3), but it also resulted in the compilation of a complete catalog of finds from the Ganunmaḫ and their correct attribution to the respective find contexts (section 4). This contribution discusses the material found under the Kassite period floors of several rooms in the Ganunmaḫ. Their analysis helps to gain insight into dedicatory practices during third and second millennium BC Ur and adds important information on temple inventories for this time period. In addition, a complete list of clay tablets and sealings found in the Ganunmaḫ is provided.
This paper gives an overview of the excavations carried out from 2001-2018 at the late Iron Age a... more This paper gives an overview of the excavations carried out from 2001-2018 at the late Iron Age and Persian period Phoenician site at Tell el-Burak. It focuses on the presentation of the ceramic material associated with the respective contexts. By comparing the Tell el-Burak pottery with the material from other sites in the Levant a chronological framework for the different phases of the settlement will be established.
in: D. Prechel and H. Neumann (eds), Beiträge zur Kenntnis und Deutung altorientalischer Archivalien. Festschrift für Helmut Freydank zum 80. Geburtstag (dubsar 6), 2019
This paper details the results of a large-scale multi-disciplinary analysis of Iron Age pottery f... more This paper details the results of a large-scale multi-disciplinary analysis of Iron Age pottery from a settlement in the core of the Phoenician homeland. The research presented is centred upon a large corpus of Phoenician carinated-shoulder amphorae (CSA) from the later Iron Age II and Persian period contexts at the coastal site of Tell el-Burak. Traditional typological investigations are combined with a focused archaeometric approach including a new quantitative method for the morphometric analysis of amphorae, thin-section petrography, geochemistry and organic residue analyses, aimed at gaining a more detailed understanding of the organization of the Phoenician economy. Despite gradual, but marked typological changes, very little change in the fabrics of these amphorae was noted over the 400-year Iron Age occupation of the site. The research, thus, demonstrates that the production of Iron Age amphorae from Tell el-Burak was highly organized, and was undertaken by long-lived, sustained and centralized modes. The establishment of Tell el-Burak and this new pottery industry coincides with the proliferation of the world’s first great imperial powers, the Neo-Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian and Persian empires; the outcomes of this research provide new insights into socio-economic strategies adopted in the Phoenician homeland during this pivotal time.
This is the program for a workshop organized by Marion Bolder-Boos and myself to be held at JGU M... more This is the program for a workshop organized by Marion Bolder-Boos and myself to be held at JGU Mainz 12 until 14 December 2018
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Books by Aaron Schmitt
This volume edited by Jens Kamlah and Hélène Sader consists of the final publications of all excavation results concerning the Middle Bronze Age at Tell el- Burak. It furthermore includes an introduction into the joint Lebanese-German excavation project, chapters related to the site and the final publication of the excavated remains of the Late Medieval Period.
Papers by Aaron Schmitt
Die Herrscher von Assyrien und Babylonien dokumentierten ihre oft umfangreichen Bautätigkeiten mit Inschriften, in denen sie sich auf Aktivitäten ihrer Vorgänger bezogen. In einigen wenigen Fällen machten Könige dabei jedoch bewusst falsche Angaben zur Vergangenheit. Was hinter diesen altmesopotamischen Fälschungen steckt, erforscht die Vorderasiatische Archäologie an der Universität Heidelberg.
to document and analyze fragments of ceramics sherds in archaeology. This is because traditional manual
processes do not allow for an objective, repeatable, and reproducible analysis of the large quantities of
material needed to fully understand and explain human practices in various cultural contexts, such as the
economy, daily life, and the material expression of religious beliefs.
In that context, this paper proposes a fully digital methodology resulting from the constitution of an
international research group coming from different scientific backgrounds: archaeologists with specific
skills and experience in fast 3D geometry acquisition methods and researchers who developed and pub-
lished the only available computer-based process for recognizing the geometric and morphological sherds
features analyzed by archaeologists. The proposed methodology consists of two main parts: 1. 3D acquisi-
tion of sherds with the construction of the discrete 3D manifold model based on the Structure for Motion
technologies; 2. recognition, segmentation, and dimensional characterization of morphological and geo-
metrical features based on the codification and algorithmic implementation of the knowledge used by the
archeologists in the traditional method. The method was applied to analyze a set of 133 sherds excavated
at Tell el-Burak (Lebanon) to obtain, through the analysis of the namely Phoenician carinated-shoulder
amphorae, new insights into the economic organization of the Phoenician homeland. The method demon-
strated the potential for objectively, repeatedly, and reproducibly analyzing large quantities of sherds. Fur-
thermore, it allowed studying sherds by generating new high-level knowledge from those acquired from
3D models; in particular, this paper introduces new morphological features that help the archaeologist
classify fragments from an analysis of the rim’s shape.
The project is the outcome of a cooperation between the American University of Beirut, the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, the Vorderasiatisches Museum Berlin and Durham University. Our work during two campaigns in 2017 and 2018 lead to the detection of over twenty new archaeological sites, which until then had never been investigated and recorded. Most of these discovered vestiges date to the Roman and Mamluk/Ottoman periods. In this preliminary report, we give an overview of the mission, its goals and our methodology. This is followed by a presentation of each site with descriptions and illustrations of building remains and the collected surface finds
Recent Work in Archaeological Geophysics
The Geological Society
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG
Tuesday 4th December 2018
This volume edited by Jens Kamlah and Hélène Sader consists of the final publications of all excavation results concerning the Middle Bronze Age at Tell el- Burak. It furthermore includes an introduction into the joint Lebanese-German excavation project, chapters related to the site and the final publication of the excavated remains of the Late Medieval Period.
Die Herrscher von Assyrien und Babylonien dokumentierten ihre oft umfangreichen Bautätigkeiten mit Inschriften, in denen sie sich auf Aktivitäten ihrer Vorgänger bezogen. In einigen wenigen Fällen machten Könige dabei jedoch bewusst falsche Angaben zur Vergangenheit. Was hinter diesen altmesopotamischen Fälschungen steckt, erforscht die Vorderasiatische Archäologie an der Universität Heidelberg.
to document and analyze fragments of ceramics sherds in archaeology. This is because traditional manual
processes do not allow for an objective, repeatable, and reproducible analysis of the large quantities of
material needed to fully understand and explain human practices in various cultural contexts, such as the
economy, daily life, and the material expression of religious beliefs.
In that context, this paper proposes a fully digital methodology resulting from the constitution of an
international research group coming from different scientific backgrounds: archaeologists with specific
skills and experience in fast 3D geometry acquisition methods and researchers who developed and pub-
lished the only available computer-based process for recognizing the geometric and morphological sherds
features analyzed by archaeologists. The proposed methodology consists of two main parts: 1. 3D acquisi-
tion of sherds with the construction of the discrete 3D manifold model based on the Structure for Motion
technologies; 2. recognition, segmentation, and dimensional characterization of morphological and geo-
metrical features based on the codification and algorithmic implementation of the knowledge used by the
archeologists in the traditional method. The method was applied to analyze a set of 133 sherds excavated
at Tell el-Burak (Lebanon) to obtain, through the analysis of the namely Phoenician carinated-shoulder
amphorae, new insights into the economic organization of the Phoenician homeland. The method demon-
strated the potential for objectively, repeatedly, and reproducibly analyzing large quantities of sherds. Fur-
thermore, it allowed studying sherds by generating new high-level knowledge from those acquired from
3D models; in particular, this paper introduces new morphological features that help the archaeologist
classify fragments from an analysis of the rim’s shape.
The project is the outcome of a cooperation between the American University of Beirut, the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, the Vorderasiatisches Museum Berlin and Durham University. Our work during two campaigns in 2017 and 2018 lead to the detection of over twenty new archaeological sites, which until then had never been investigated and recorded. Most of these discovered vestiges date to the Roman and Mamluk/Ottoman periods. In this preliminary report, we give an overview of the mission, its goals and our methodology. This is followed by a presentation of each site with descriptions and illustrations of building remains and the collected surface finds
Recent Work in Archaeological Geophysics
The Geological Society
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG
Tuesday 4th December 2018
settlement in the core of the Phoenician homeland. The research presented is centred upon a large
corpus of Phoenician carinated-shoulder amphorae (CSA) from the later Iron Age II and Persian
period contexts at the coastal site of Tell el-Burak. Traditional typological investigations are
combined with a focused archaeometric approach including a new quantitative method for the
morphometric analysis of amphorae, thin-section petrography, geochemistry and organic
residue analyses, aimed at gaining a more detailed understanding of the organization of the
Phoenician economy. Despite gradual, but marked typological changes, very little change in
the fabrics of these amphorae was noted over the 400-year Iron Age occupation of the site. The
research, thus, demonstrates that the production of Iron Age amphorae from Tell el-Burak was
highly organized, and was undertaken by long-lived, sustained and centralized modes. The
establishment of Tell el-Burak and this new pottery industry coincides with the proliferation of the
world’s first great imperial powers, the Neo-Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian and Persian empires;
the outcomes of this research provide new insights into socio-economic strategies adopted in
the Phoenician homeland during this pivotal time.