Shir

The settlement occupies a 30-meter high terrace formation above the Nahr as-Sarut river, covering an area of four hectares with stone structures and multiple rooms.

The excavations conducted between 2006 and 2010 revealed six distinct building phases dating from 7000 to 6450 BC, with evidence of advanced construction techniques.

The burial practices at Shir included placing infants and children beneath building walls, while adult graves were located outside residential structures in individual plots.

The site contains numerous artifacts including early pottery examples, flint tools, sickles, storage containers, grinding stones, mortars, and materials for textile processing.

The discovery of obsidian, turquoise, and sea shells indicates Shir's participation in an extensive trade network stretching from Anatolia to the Red Sea.

GPS coordinates: 35.20136,36.62969

Latest update: July 25, 2025 09:15