The Proto-Halaf period in Syria. New sites, new data

This paper intends to give a brief factual account of some of the new fieldwork projects in Syria that are now documenting a short transitional stage between the Pre-Halafand the Early Halaf. This stage, which for present purposes we have termed Proto-Halaf (about 6 100-5 950 cal. ВС), appears to have been a crucial time, during which the basis was laid for the subsequent Halaf phenomenon. Evidence gathered so far suggests that the transition from Pre-Halaf to Early Halaf happened fairly rapidly, within the course of only a few generations. What we have termed the Proto-Halaf period refers largely to changes observed in the ceramic assemblages. These we shall present geographically by discussing previously excavated sites while also including new discoveries that are changing our insights with almost every fieldwork season. We hope to offer a framework for further work on this crucial stage in Mesopotamian prehistory.