Clark/Narrating Archaeological Sites, 6. Contextualizing the Madaba Plains Project at Tall al-ʿUmayri

To what extent do the archaeological​ finds from the Early Bronze Age at Tall al-ʿUmayri​ fit the meta- narrative of the beginning of urbanization in the Levant? This paper will highlight results​ that support this narrative (such as the evidence for​ a regional site hierarchy, a planned settlement, and​ the presence of Khirbat Karak Ware and evidence​of long- distance trade) and finds that diverge from​ this narrative (such as the absence of fortifications,​ and large- scale craft production). The paper will also​ examine whether this meta- narrative was part of the​ thinking of core staff on the project from the outset,​ or whether it was a latecomer in the effort to interpret the site. Note will also be taken of other narratives that were discussed in relation to Early Bronze​ Age finds at Tall al-ʿUmayri.