A possible explanation for the stratigraphic and ceramic changes at Tell Deir 'Alla during the transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age

Abstract

This study is virtually a reproduction of chapter five of the Ph.D. thesis, which the present author submitted to the Institute of Archaeology, University of London. Since then, archaeology in Jordan has progressed considerably. There was however no real need to include the recent results here, since the hypothesis presented below still provides one possible explanation for the available data relevant to the transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age at tell Deir 'Alla. Yet, the reader would do well to keep in mind Professor Franken's publication on the Late Bronze Age sanctuary found at Deir 'Alla, as well as the recent discoveries and publications from the Madaba Plains Project.

The Late Bronze Age pottery that was in use at Deir 'Alla when phase E was destroyed c.1200 BC indicates sudden changes which must have started earlier. The terminus post quem of these is c.1230 BC, the beginning of phase E. These changes cannot be explained in terms of development. Shortly after c.1190/ 1180 BC at the beginning ( = phase A) of the Iron Age, there is evidence for another set of sudden changes in the pottery which once again are not evolutionary. The first ceramic change that occurred during phase E of the Late Bronze Age is accompanied by some changes in the stratigraphy at the beginning of that phase, whilst the second ceramic change, at the beginning of the Iron Age, took place when there was a substantial change in the stratigraphy; both stratigraphic changes happened peacefully.