The first excavation season at Shokur: a multi-period fortified settlement between desert and mountains

The paper presents the results of the first exploration season at Shokur (Dhank), on the western flanks of the Jebel Al Abyad. Shokur is a multiphase fortified settlement originally dated to the Bronze Age. The mound covers an area of more than 1 ha and consists of three terraced areas characterized by a massive external fortification wall, dated to the Early Iron Age, and some internal terracing walls. The data obtained from the extensive archaeological excavation has revealed an imposing fortification wall built in two different phases, which we can date to the Iron Age II, as well as internal rooms consisting of stone walls and intended for production and storage activities. The internal retaining walls delimit terraces composed of mud-brick floors, including the highest, which appears to belong to the original Bronze Age tower. In fact, the material culture has allowed us to identify very clearly the most recent phase of occupation of Iron Age II, characterized by the typical incised storage jars, fragments with a moulded representation of the snake, spouted vessels, and carinated bowls, as well as the recovery of numerous painted fragments of the Wadi Suq phase and some sporadic Umm an-Nar sherds.