Dura-Europos Synagogue Bench Inscription
Dura-Europos Synagogue Bench Inscription North Annex · Dura-Europos Site
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇸🇾 Deir ez-Zor, Dura, Syria
About
About Dura-Europos Synagogue Bench Inscription
Dura-Europos Synagogue Bench Inscription in Deir ez-Zor, Dura, Syria is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 34.7480N 40.7290E controls access to Deir ez-Zor resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Deir ez-Zor, Dura, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1960 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Dura-Europos Synagogue Bench Inscription main structure
c. 1940
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
2000–2015
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Dura-Europos Synagogue Bench Inscription) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
34.7480° N · 40.7290° E · 360 m · 4 mapped features
- Dura-Europos Synagogue Bench Inscription — Main StructurestructurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel34.7488° N · 40.7299° E
- Dura-Europos Synagogue Bench Inscription — Ancillary ComplexcomplexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature34.7470° N · 40.7283° E
- Dura-Europos Synagogue Bench Inscription — Peripheral FeatureoutlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial34.7495° N · 40.7302° E
- Dura-Europos Synagogue Bench Inscription — Hydraulic/CisternhydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site34.7464° N · 40.7279° E
Gallery