Syria - Jerf el Ahmar

Jerf al Ahmar is a prehistoric site situated on the left bank of the Middle Euphrates in Syria. The occupation dates from the end of the tenth millennium to the beginning of the ninth millennium (BC cal.) and corresponds with the beginnings of agriculture. The site is located on two hillocks (Eminence Est and Eminence Ouest) separated by a small "wadi". The eastern hillock was occupied first and has nine successive village levels. The western hillock was first occupied during the fifth occupation the neighbouring hillock, with five successive villages. If the 500 years of village life fall within the Mureybetian culture (PPNA horizon) then the last occupation before the site was abandoned on the two hillocks shows signs of a transition towards the PPNB.

About sixty buildings allow the reconstruction in detail of architectural evolution from round houses until the adoption of rectangular plans. The evidence indicates that the inhabitants planned the building of their village and collective buildings of which the most recent appear to be meeting places. Another originality of this site concerns the ability of the inhabitants to register messages on small flat stones in the form of pictograms.