Mlefaat
Mlefaat
Protoneolithic (10500–9500 BCE)·Zarzian Epipalaeolithic–PPN·🇮🇶 Erbil Governorate, Greater Zab tributary, Iraq
About
About Mlefaat
Mlefaat in Erbil Governorate, Greater Zab tributary, Iraq is a Protoneolithic (10500–9500 BCE) ancient village attributed to Zarzian Epipalaeolithic–PPN. Open-air forager base preceding first villages. Stratified deposits with radiocarbon sequence and imported materials trace long-distance exchange. Systematic and rescue excavations exposed houses, fortifications and craft zones preserved as a multi-period tell on aerial imagery.
Why it mattersKey Zarzian Epipalaeolithic–PPN sequence for Erbil Governorate, Greater Zab tributary; defines regional chronology for Protoneolithic.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Phasing precision vs radiocarbon plateau
- 02Ritual vs domestic architecture?
Theories
- 01Regional centre model
- 02ceremonial/territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.10500–9500 BCE
- Period
- Protoneolithic (10500–9500 BCE)
- Culture
- Zarzian Epipalaeolithic–PPN
- Purpose
- Open-air forager base preceding first villages
- Rediscovered
- 2002 survey; systematic excavations
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.10500
Initial founding / earliest level
c.2000 BCE
Major architectural rephase — walls and houses rebuilt in stone/mudbrick
1987
Modern systematic excavations / rescue programme
On the ground
Structures & features
36.3500° N · 44.0200° E · 480 m · 3 mapped features
Mlefaat — Main housing cluster
housePrincipal round/rectangular houses with plastered floors
36.3502° N · 44.0202° EMlefaat — Peripheral huts / burials
houseOuter huts and burial zone
36.3497° N · 44.0202° EMlefaat — Work area / midden
middenLithic workshop and midden with ground stone
36.3501° N · 44.0197° E
Gallery