This paper reports briefly on the results of a short reconnaissance at the site of Qumayrah–Ayn 2 (QA 2), a new prehistoric site located in a poorly studied part of the Qumayrah Valley in northern Oman. A survey and limited probing by the Omani–Polish Qumayrah Archaeological Project confirmed the presence of a sediment, approximately 15–20 cm thick, which yielded not just lithics, but also stone installations discovered in situ. One of these installations was evidently a hearth, the other a kind of platform. The lithic assemblage is characterized by a prevalence of flake technology with rare blade products. Predominant in the tools group are side-scrapers, notches and perforators produced by direct-scaled retouch. The most characteristic tools are tanged projectile points made on flakes. The main problem is contextualizing these materials. On the grounds of certain premises they may be associated with the Fasad technocomplex, but not necessarily the pre-Neolithic one as is the case of the classic types. However, a much later chronology is also quite possible.

In the second field season of the Omani–Polish Qumayrah Archaeological Project, the prehistoric leg of the team conducted investigations of previously discovered lithic sites in the vicinity of Al-Ayn village. This paper summarizes the results of archaeological testing at three open campsites codenamed Qumayrah-Ayn (QA) 2, QA 6 and QA 12. The investigations provided new evidence of intensive Stone Age settlement of the Qumayrah Valley (also known as Wadi Fajj). The data, comprising lithic tools and some shell and stone beads, indicate that the occupation of these sites should be dated to various stages of the Neolithic period.

A new archaeological project in the western al-Hajar Mountains in northern Oman involves a systematic survey of the small valley of Qumayrah and excavation of selected sites. Two field seasons revealed a number of Neolithic settlement traces. Three newly discovered sites were excavated, two of which proved to be stratified. The most intensive fieldwork focused on QA 2, a Stone Age campsite that contained stone structures, numerous lithic tools, stone and shell beads and marine shell fragments. Radiocarbon dating provided a c.4200 cal. BC age, corresponding with the prevalent lithic evidence. Two other excavated sites yielded fewer materials, that were, however, diagnostically relevant. They indicate a diachronic occupation ongoing probably since the Late Neolithic till the end of that period, but some materials point to other stages of the Neolithic period as well. The appearance of marine shells suggests seasonal occupation and connections with coastal areas. It raises questions about the reasons for the settling of the Qumayrah valley. K E Y W O R D S al-Hajar Mountains, inland Neolithic, lithics, marine shells, new archaeological sites, Qumayrah ORCID Marcin Białowarczuk https://orcid. org/0000-0002-5618-8343 Agnieszka Szymczak https://orcid.

Le site de Bahra 1 (Koweït) constitue un exemple intéressant d’occupation de l’époque Obeïd, spécialisé dans la production d’ornements en coquillage. Presque toute l’industrie lithique découverte est étroitement liée à cette spécialisation. L’absence d’affleurement de silex autour du site a impliqué l’utilisation de diverses autres matières premières. Le quartz représente plus de 25 % de l’ensemble du matériel lithique et jouait un rôle important, mais sa spécificité fait de lui un matériau extrêmement difficile à analyser. Ainsi, le débitage expérimental est la meilleure méthode d’analyse pour comprendre le mécanisme de la fracturation de ce matériau et pour établir une grille d’analyse des objets en quartz. L’article présente une typologie des artefacts en quartz de Bahra 1 et une reconstitution de la méthode de taille fondée sur l’archéologie expérimentale. Une première interprétation du rôle du quartz dans l’industrie lithique du site est également proposée.

Transformation of the plan seems to be one of the most fundamental characteristics of architectural evolution during the PPNA stage. It starts with simple round monocellular structures and ends with the invention of modular subrectangular ones, divided into many rooms. However, the evolution of some types of buildings in different regions of the Fertile Crescent was varied in pace. A major question are the main factors causing such regional differences. This paper presents a basic typology of early Neolithic structures and their regional diversification, which could result from individual dynamics of the development of original types stimulated by regionally invented practical and technical solutions. Two variants of the process were distinguished. The first is the evolution from a primitive shelter to open, free-standing durable forms of round houses. The other variant was the development from shelters to large round subterranean houses. Different regions of the Near East adopted one of these two variants. Each featured specific traits and determined further regional development of plan.