Bat Archaeological Project Preliminary Report of the 2022 Season

The Bat Archaeological Project (BAP) conducted its 2022 season of excavations and surveys from 26December 2021 – 24 February 2022. Our research concentrated on five key areas: 1) archaeologicalexcavation at the southeastern end of the Settlement Slope in Umm an-Nar mortuary and domesticcontexts; 2) excavation of Umm an-Nar period houses at Rakhat al-Madrh; 3) systematic survey tobetter understand temporal relationships and artifact density between Bat’s different areas; 4)geomorphological analyses at Rakhat al-Madrh; and 5) an expanded arts outreach and experimentalarchaeology program to further engage the local community.At the Settlement Slope, mortuary excavations revealed a small but deep Umm an-Nar tomb, unusuallylocated on a hillside with a commanding view of Bat’s ancient landscape. A shallow, rectangularplatform built into the hillside was discovered adjacent to the tomb and was covered in small bonefragments. The structure may have served as a body processing area utilized before interment. Thecontinued excavations of Structure SS12 on the Settlement Slope revealed the area’s Umm an-NarMiddle II and Late Umm an-Nar period occupation and behaviors.Domestic excavations continued at Rakhat al Madrh, where two Umm an-Nar period houses wereexcavated and a geomorphological study of the area was conducted. The house excavations revealedovens, hearths, and botanically-rich contexts within typical Middle Umm an-Nar domestic spaces.Geomorphological and hydrological investigations suggest the area’s environmental conditions areunlike any other region occupied in Umm an-Nar Bat. Greater water access from flooding events andthe recharge of the basin’s water table could have enabled the cultivation of flood crops and providedabundant vegetation for animal pasturing.A multi-year survey project to better understand the areas between Bat’s monuments was completedthis winter and resulted in the discovery of a likely Iron Age fortress at Khutm, lithic scatterssurrounding Rakhat al Madrh, and a dense area of Umm an Nar artifacts north and east of OperationA. An environmental resilience study continued BAP’s investigations of the intersection of the site'sancient and modern landscapes. The analysis of artifacts and samples collected from excavations andsurvey operations are ongoing.The project also launched an expanded outreach program, implementing arts engagement strategiesto connect with local residents. The program culminated in the creation of an original comic bookand experimental pottery production project that was disseminated to the community via Bat’s schoolsafter the conclusion of field season.We deeply appreciate the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism’s ongoing collaboration and support ofthis research.