Tom Levy and “Deep Time”: Forays into the Neolithic

Abstract

Tom Levy usually is not associated with more “deep-time” archaeology, such as the Neolithic. He has, however, contributed to early time periods in more ways than one. In this short essay, I would like to share some personal observations and comments on how Tom has impacted Neolithic studies, especially in the Wadi Feinan of Jordan, where Mohammad Najjar and I conducted extensive excavations at a major Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) site, Ghwair I. Tom was always supportive of our studies. Both in the field and back at our home bases, Tom always offered considerable insights into the cultural processes leading up to later cultural periods. And while he was not directly involved with such early studies, he certainly was aware of their importance. As just one example, his major work “The Archaeology of Society in the Holy Land” had several chapters devoted to prehistoric periods. And, Tom’s use of state-of-the-art technology has led to technological improvements in earlier periods. This illustrates Tom’s broad range of interest in archaeology as a discipline, rather than just one time period. Finally, Tom’s many students continue to have an impact on the discipline.