Hacınebi Tepe South — Lower Slopes
Hacınebi Tepe · Hacınebi B South · Hacinebi Lower Town
Late Chalcolithic 3800–3100 BCE (Phases A–B2) then Roman farmstead·Late Chalcolithic → Uruk contact/colonial → Roman·🇹🇷 Şanlıurfa Province, Birecik District, Euphrates east bank, Turkey
About
About Hacınebi Tepe South — Lower Slopes
Hacınebi Tepe South is the 1.2 ha Late Chalcolithic lower apron beneath the 3.3 ha triangular citadel excavated by Gil Stein (1987–93). The citadel crowns limestone bluffs at the northernmost navigable Euphrates ford. Phases A (3800–3600 BCE, indigenous Late Uruk contact) and B2 (3100 BCE, fortified Uruk colony potting quarter) show mass-produced beveled-rim bowls, lapis workshops and Uruk public architecture contrasting with local chaff wares.
Why it mattersType-site for Uruk colonial model vs local development; demonstrable coexistence of Uruk and local traditions at single ford.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why colony abandoned at 3100 BCE before EBA?
Theories
- 01Stein: indigenous complexity engaged with Uruk network, not conquest colony
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.3800 BCE
- Period
- Late Chalcolithic 3800–3100 BCE (Phases A–B2) then Roman farmstead
- Culture
- Late Chalcolithic → Uruk contact/colonial → Roman
- Builders
- Local Late Chalcolithic then Uruk potters
- Purpose
- Strategic Euphrates ford entrepôt and lapis/trade outpost; Uruk colony
- Abandoned
- c.3100 BCE (B2); later Roman farm
- Rediscovered
- 1987 Northwestern University–Gaziantep Museum
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1987–1993
Stein salvage before Birecik Dam
c.3600 BCE
Phase B2 Uruk colony wall and administrative quarter
On the ground
Structures & features
37.0200° N · 37.8900° E · 400 m · 3 mapped features
Hacınebi Phase B2 Fortification
fortificationUncut-stone fort wall NW–SW around north summit
37.0208° N · 37.8905° EHacınebi Uruk Potter's Quarter
workshopBeveled-rim bowl and lapis workshops, administrative sealings
37.0194° N · 37.8909° EHacınebi Phase A Indigenous Houses
habitationChaff-tempered ware pisé houses pre-Uruk contact
37.0212° N · 37.8893° E