Tell Zeitoun, Archaeological tell in Beqaa Valley, Lebanon.
Tell Zeitoun is an ancient mound in the Beqaa Valley, positioned on the right bank of the Upper Hasbani river near Dnaibe village in the Rashaya area. The site consists of layered soil and debris that accumulated over centuries of human habitation, creating the characteristic raised landform visible today.
Human occupation at the site dates to around 6900 BCE, representing early settlement patterns in the Beqaa region. Excavation campaigns from 1954 to 1968 revealed the site's importance for understanding the prehistoric history of the area.
Archaeologists discovered numerous Neolithic artifacts at the site, including arrowhead fragments, picks, hammers, and serrated sickle blades from the Ubaid period.
The site is reachable by traveling southwest from Rashaya along regional roads that cross the Beqaa Valley floor. Wear sturdy shoes for walking on uneven ground, as the terrain is not paved and can be uneven depending on seasonal weather.
Stone tools discovered here including arrowheads, picks, hammers, and serrated sickle blades demonstrate that early inhabitants practiced food production techniques. These implements belong to the Ubaid period and reveal the origins of agriculture in the region.
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