Mari Buried High Terrace Mudbrick Massif
Mari Buried High Terrace Mudbrick Massif North Annex · Mari Site
Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)·Chalcolithic–EBA·🇸🇾 Deir ez-Zor, Mari, Syria
About
About Mari Buried High Terrace Mudbrick Massif
Mari Buried High Terrace Mudbrick Massif in Deir ez-Zor, Mari, Syria is a Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE) tell attributed to Chalcolithic–EBA. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal mound 220 × 180 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 34.5480N 40.8900E 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 tell for Deir ez-Zor, Mari, illustrating Chalcolithic–EBA 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. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic–EBA
- Purpose
- Multi-period settlement mound with stratified urban sequence
- Rediscovered
- 1980 survey
- Excavation
- Buried
c. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
Initial construction of Mari Buried High Terrace Mudbrick Massif main structure
c. 1920
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1980–2010
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Mari Buried High Terrace Mudbrick Massif) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5480° N · 40.8900° E · 220 m · 4 mapped features
Mari Buried High Terrace Mudbrick Massif — Main Structure
structurePrincipal tell — Mound 220 × 180 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
34.5488° N · 40.8909° EMari Buried High Terrace Mudbrick Massif — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
34.5470° N · 40.8893° EMari Buried High Terrace Mudbrick Massif — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
34.5495° N · 40.8912° EMari Buried High Terrace Mudbrick Massif — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
34.5464° N · 40.8889° E