Domestic quarters, refuse pits, and working areas: reconstructing human landscape and environment at Tell Mardikh- Ebla during the Old Syrian Period (c. 2000-1600 BC)

Three Middle Bronze contexts of the lower town and the fortifications at Tell Mardikh-Ebla (a domestic quarter in Area B East, large refuse tips in Area P North and on the Eastern rampart) are analyzed in order to reconstruct the general trends of the primary economy at Ebla during the Old Syrian Period through bio-archaeological data and material culture. In particular a large amount of materials in situ has been found in well-preserved houses located at the foot of the Southern fortification of the Acropolis allowing a comprehensive study of household economy at Old Syrian Ebla, integrating the extraordinarily rich archaeological evidence from secular and religious buildings.