Emesa — South Rock-Cut Tomb Niche (Homs)
Emesa Niche
Bronze to Iron Age (2000 BCE–300 CE)·Rock-cut tradition·🇸🇾 Homs, Homs Old City, Emesa, Syria
About
About Emesa — South Rock-Cut Tomb Niche (Homs)
Emesa — South Rock-Cut Tomb Niche (Homs) in Homs, Homs Old City, Emesa, Syria is a Bronze to Iron Age (2000 BCE–300 CE) rock_cut attributed to Rock-cut tradition. Systematic survey and coring document architectural phasing. The site includes a principal enclosure and ancillary settlement. Dimensions 50m × 65m; area 12.2 ha. Excavation unexcavated; condition buried. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Rock-cut tradition rock_cut with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 510 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction technique
- 02Function and labor organization
Theories
- 01Territorial marker
- 02Ceremonial 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. 600 BCE
- Period
- Bronze to Iron Age (2000 BCE–300 CE)
- Culture
- Rock-cut tradition
- Purpose
- Rock-cut tomb and sanctuary
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
c. 600 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1053 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1903
Antiquarian record, modern excavation from 1960s
On the ground
Structures & features
34.7300° N · 36.7100° E · 510 m · 4 mapped features
- Principal MonumentstructurePrincipal Monument at Emesa — South Rock-Cut Tomb Niche (Homs) — structure with stratified deposits34.7319° N · 36.7075° E
- Ancillary ComplexcomplexAncillary Complex at Emesa — South Rock-Cut Tomb Niche (Homs) — complex with stratified deposits34.7303° N · 36.7080° E
- Outlier FeatureoutlierOutlier Feature at Emesa — South Rock-Cut Tomb Niche (Homs) — outlier with stratified deposits34.7324° N · 36.7089° E
- Reservoir/CisternhydraulicReservoir/Cistern at Emesa — South Rock-Cut Tomb Niche (Homs) — hydraulic with stratified deposits34.7325° N · 36.7102° E
Gallery