Dinkha Tepe
Dinkha Tepe
Late Bronze–Iron (1500–800 BCE)·Iron Age Hasanlu LBA·🇮🇷 West Azerbaijan, Ushnu-Solduz, Iran
About
About Dinkha Tepe
Dinkha Tepe in West Azerbaijan, Ushnu-Solduz, Iran is a Late Bronze–Iron (1500–800 BCE) tell of Iron Age Hasanlu LBA tradition. Ushnu valley hamlet with Hasanlu IVB–III cemetery sequence. 1500 BCE, the site forms a stratified mound/karst mound 160×130 m, 7 m, iron age cemetery 100 graves. Excavations since the mid-20th c. expose mudbrick houses with stone socle, bronze fibulae, grey ware architecture with diagnostic ceramics, lithics and administrative finds.
Archaeobotany and radiocarbon anchor the sequence, informing regional Iron Age Hasanlu LBA networks across the West Azerbaijan. Threats include agriculture, erosion, looting; research continues on Iron Age Hasanlu LBA chronology.
Why it mattersType-site for Iron Age Hasanlu LBA Late Bronze–Iron (1500–800 BCE) in West Azerbaijan, Ushnu-Solduz; key for chronology, technology and interaction.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Iron Age Hasanlu LBA levels?
- 02Function of extramural cemetery?
Theories
- 01Demic diffusion vs local adoption
- 02Ritual aggregation centre
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1500 BCE
- Period
- Late Bronze–Iron (1500–800 BCE)
- Culture
- Iron Age Hasanlu LBA
- Purpose
- Ushnu valley hamlet with Hasanlu IVB–III cemetery sequence
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.1500 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation
c.1200 BCE
Major expansion / fortification phase
20th c.
Systematic excavation begins
On the ground
Structures & features
36.9500° N · 45.3000° E · 1400 m · 3 mapped features
Dinkha Tepe — Central Mound
tellCentral mound with stratified architecture Levels I–IV
36.9504° N · 45.3005° EDinkha Tepe — Lower Town Workshop
workshopWorkshop/midden with pottery, slag or lithics
36.9494° N · 45.2994° EDinkha Tepe — Cemetery/Gate
cemeteryExtramural cemetery or gate area
36.9502° N · 45.2992° E