Archaeology Term: Tell
A tell, also spelled “tel,” is a mound created from the layered remains of ancient settlements, commonly found in the Middle East.
These mounds form when successive generations of structures are built directly on top of older ones, creating a stratified buildup over time.
Each layer of a tell represents a distinct period of occupation, preserving traces of architecture, artifacts, and other remnants of daily life. As new inhabitants construct homes and buildings over the ruins of the past, the mound rises above the surrounding landscape, reflecting the long history of human settlement.
Archaeologists excavate tells to study these layers, each revealing a snapshot of cultural, economic, and social changes across different periods. By analyzing the stratigraphy of a tell, archaeologists can create a chronological sequence of occupation, shedding light on how a settlement evolved.
In addition to providing chronological information, tells reveal much about environmental and urban planning changes. They offer clues about how ancient communities adapted to natural resources, changed building practices, or rebuilt after natural disasters or conflicts.
Tells are especially significant because they often contain well-preserved artifacts and structures protected by the accumulated layers. These mounds offer insights into the lives of ordinary people as well as the elites, showing how both lived, worked, and interacted in the ancient world.
The study of tells is an essential part of archaeology in regions with long histories of urban settlement, such as Mesopotamia, the Levant, and Anatolia. In these areas, tells can rise many meters above the ground, marking them as prominent features in the landscape.
Digging into a tell requires careful excavation to preserve the integrity of each layer, as removing one layer could destroy evidence from previous occupations. Archaeologists document each layer meticulously to understand the relationships between different periods of occupation.
Tells also illustrate how historical and environmental factors influenced settlement continuity and change. Sometimes, a tell will show evidence of periods of abandonment, reflecting shifts in political power, climate, or economic resources.
In conclusion, a tell is a unique type of archaeological site, formed by the stratified remains of multiple generations of human habitation. Through careful excavation, archaeologists uncover the cultural and historical richness preserved within these mounds, allowing us to understand the long, layered history of ancient societies.
