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Papers by Chiara Fiaccavento

Vicino Oriente, 2015

, the first season of archaeological investigation was carried out, putting on the map this ancie... more , the first season of archaeological investigation was carried out, putting on the map this ancient mound, one of the pre-classical cities in the heartland of the country. A GIS aided survey of the tell and its immediate environs, and a systematic collection of surface pottery allowed to reconstruct its ancient landscape, and to put forward a topographic analysis of the site, as well as a provisional timeline of its occupation from the Early Bronze Age until the Ottoman Period. At a preliminary examination, Tell Abu Zarad achieved the urban status in the Middle Bronze II-III, and in Iron I-II.

Palestine Exploration Quarterly

Sparks, R.T. - Finlayson, B. - Wagemakers, B. - Briffa, J.M. (eds.), "Digging Up Jericho. Past, Present and Future" , 2020

The Middle Bronze Age in the Southern Levant was a period of prosperity and urban revival, with m... more The Middle Bronze Age in the Southern Levant was a period of prosperity and urban revival, with major urban centres dominated by massive fortification systems. This study aims to use the case study of ancient Jericho to highlight the significance of these fortifications to the region and its inhabitants. It will examine the MB II–III rampart partially e xposed by the Austro-German Expedition of E. Sellin and C. Watzinger, encountered by K. M. Kenyon in the deep cut of Trench III, and further explored by the Italian-Palestinian Expedition in areas A and E. It
will show how renewed excavations at the site from 1997 have allowed a deeper understanding of the urban layout and related fortifications of the Middle Bronze Age. These have revealed that three massive defensive systems were laid out on the slope over the course of this period, with each operation regularizing or partially removing
the remains of previous constructions and adding new elements to the system. The earliest system, dating from MB I–II, saw the erection of a massive rectangular mudbrick tower on foundations of orthostatic stone boulders, with a residential neighbourhood growing up around its eastern part. The next phase, dating to MB II, saw these fortifications doubled in size, with the construction higher up the slope to the north of a second circuit wall. The final development took place at the beginning of the MB III, when the fortifications were rebuilt with a huge rubble rampart covering the slope, sustained by a massive retaining wall in stone, marking a major transformation of the city and its defences.

Selected ceramic samples from the archeological site of Khirbet al-Batrawy (north-central Jordan)... more Selected ceramic samples from the archeological site of Khirbet al-Batrawy (north-central Jordan), unearthed in the “Palace of the Copper Axes” (Early Bronze Age III, 2500–2300 BC), were analyzed with the aim to address their technology. These ceramics were characterized by means of a combined use of optical microscopy (OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and electron microscopy (SEM–EDS). The results indicate that the main mineral inclusions are quartz and calcite, with minor amount of feldspar, pyroxene, olivine and gehlenite. Fragments of igneous and sedimentary rocks as well as grog (crushed ceramics) and fossil shells have also been identified. The mineral assemblage indicates that the maximum firing temperature of these sherds falls in the 700–850 °C thermal range. The presence of hematite supports the hypothesis of an oxidizing atmosphere of firing. The occurrence of sedimentary and magmatic rocks supports a local provenance of raw materials as these rocks outcrop in the vicinity of the archeological site. Concerning the microstructure, it is established the occurrence of ceramic fabrics not identified until now at the site, suggesting that they were exclusively produced for the Palace.

A new agreement on cooperation for the archaeological exploration, cultural and tourist valorizat... more A new agreement on cooperation for the archaeological exploration, cultural and tourist valorization of Tell Sheikh Abu Zarad, in central Palestine, has been signed in April 2015 by Rome Sapienza University and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Palestine. In May-June 2015, the first season of archaeological investigation was carried out, putting on the map this ancient mound, one of the pre-classical cities in the heartland of the country. A GIS aided survey of the tell and its immediate environs, and a systematic collection of surface pottery allowed to reconstruct its ancient landscape, and to put forward a topographic analysis of the site, as well as a provisional timeline of its occupation from the Early Bronze Age until the Ottoman Period. At a preliminary examination, Tell Abu Zarad achieved the urban status in the Middle Bronze II-III, and in Iron I-II.

Vicino Oriente XVIII (2014), pp. 83-100

The Early Bronze Age III (around 2700-2350 BC) represents the zenith of the Southern Levantine ci... more The Early Bronze Age III (around 2700-2350 BC) represents the zenith of the Southern Levantine cities of the 3rd millennium BC, both in terms of growth and social complexity. Between the numerous valuable items (high-quality stone objects, metal weapons, Egyptian or Egyptian-style luxury pieces, jewels) gathered by local élites inside temples and palaces, or preserved as heirlooms in grave goods, a specific typology of ceramic vessels seems to be linked to these prestigious contexts: red-burnished/polished jugs, with a reserved decorated band on the girth in form of diagonal burnished hatching. Two jugs recently recovered from the EB IIIB Palace B of Khirbet al-Batrawy (North-Central Jordan) have allowed an evaluation of this decorative motif with its related retrieval contexts.

in L. Nigro (ed.), Overcoming Catastrophes. Essays on disastrous agents characterization and resilience strategies in pre-classical Southern Levant (ROSAPAT 11 - PRIN 2009 - The Seven Plagues), Roma 2014., 2014

in L. Nigro (ed.), Overcoming Catastrophes. Essays on disastrous agents characterization and resi... more in L. Nigro (ed.), Overcoming Catastrophes. Essays on disastrous agents characterization and resilience strategies in pre-classical Southern Levant (ROSAPAT 11 - PRIN 2009 - The Seven Plagues), Roma 2014.

Vicino Oriente XVII (2013), pp. 75-103., Dec 2013

Nel “Palazzo delle asce di rame” della città del Bronzo Antico IIIB (2500-2300 a.C.) di Khirbet a... more Nel “Palazzo delle asce di rame” della città del Bronzo Antico IIIB (2500-2300 a.C.) di Khirbet al-Batrawy sono stati rinvenuti tre dischi superiori di tornio da vasaio, una delle maggiori innovazioni tecnologiche del IV-III millennio a.C. Questa scoperta ha portato ad una riconsiderazione dello strumento in tutti i contesti noti del Bronzo Antico palestinese al fine di indagarne i risvolti socio-economici all’interno della società sud-levantina del periodo.

Keywords: potter’s wheel/tournette; Khirbet al-Batrawy; Southern Levant; Early Bronze Age; ceramic manufacturing production

in Syria 88 (2011), pp. 225-250

Territoires, architecture et matériel au Levant. Doctoriales d’archéologie syrienne. Paris-Nanterre, 8- 9 décembre 2011

La récente étude systématique préliminaire de la céramique de Qarassa offre des nouveaux aperçus ... more La récente étude systématique préliminaire de la céramique de Qarassa offre des nouveaux aperçus sur la culture matérielle de la Syrie du Sud au cours du Bronze ancien II-III (entre la fin du IVᵉ et la fin du IIIᵉ millénaire av. J.-C.). La région semble parfaitement intégrée dans l'horizon culturel du Levant méridional au cours du IIIᵉ millénaire, à la fois d'un point de vue architectural, de l'organisation de l'habitat, de l'usage funéraire mais aussi en terme de répertoires céramiques, en montrant n'être pas un espace marginal mais une composante à part entière du même espace culturel.

Posters by Chiara Fiaccavento

Bartoloni, G. - Michetti L.M. (a cura di), Atti del convegno internazionale Sapienza Università di Roma, 7-9 maggio 2012 - "Mura di legno, mura di terra, mura di pietra: fortificazioni nel Mediterraneo antico", Scienze dell'Antichità 19.2/3 (2014) - online poster, Jun 2014

(ITA) I sistemi di fortificazione a terrapieno (rampart) che si diffondono nel Levante meridion... more (ITA)
I sistemi di fortificazione a terrapieno (rampart) che si diffondono nel Levante meridionale nel corso del Bronzo Medio II e III, costruiti generalmente sfruttando declivi preesistenti, proteggendo i tell dagli effetti dell’erosione, erano usualmente costituiti da due elementi fondamentali: muri di contenimento e terrazzamento; gettate di terra e pietrisco che ricoprivano tali muri.
Il terrapieno di Tell es-Sultan/antica Gerico fu eretto durante il Bronzo Medio III (1650-1550 a.C.) ed è costituito da un muro di contenimento di pietra, detto Ciclopico in virtù della tecnica costruttiva, che cingeva il tell ai suoi piedi, e da uno spesso strato di gettate sovrapposte di terra e pietrisco

G. Bartoloni - M.L. Michetti (a cura di), Atti del Convegno InternazionaleSapienza Università di Roma, 7-9 maggio 2012 "Mura di legno, mura di terra, mura di pietra: fortificazioni nel Mediterraneo antico", in Scienze dell'Antichità 19.2-3 (2013) - online essays, Jun 2014

(ITA) La “Stepped Stone Structure”, imponente struttura gradinata costruita sul fianco orientale ... more (ITA) La “Stepped Stone Structure”, imponente struttura gradinata costruita sul fianco orientale della collina sud-orientale (la cosiddetta Città di David) di Gerusalemme, è uno dei monumenti più noti della città pre-classica.
La funzione della struttura, così come la sua datazione, sono tutt’oggi oggetto di discussione e posano sulle differenti interpretazioni sia delle parti di cui essa è costituita, che delle relazioni stratigrafiche con le sottostanti concamerazioni cieche e le sovrastanti strutture di recente reinterpretate come il “Palazzo del re David”. Lo studio della “Stepped Stone Structure” (SSS) offre nuovi elementi di riflessione sulla struttura urbana e le caratteristiche della città pre-classica.