Mari Palace Western Annex Drain
Early Bronze Age (2900-1750 BCE)·Mari Culture·🇸🇾 Deir ez-Zor, Tell Hariri, Syria
About
About Mari Palace Western Annex Drain
Mari Palace Western Annex Drain in Deir ez-Zor, Tell Hariri, Syria is a Early Bronze Age (2900-1750 BCE) ancient city attributed to Mari Culture. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal citadel 5 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 34.5575N 40.8919E controls access to Deir ez-Zor, Tell Hariri 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, Tell Hariri, illustrating Mari Culture 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
- 01Ancestral burial reuse over centuries
- 02Astronomical alignment hypothesis
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. 2500 BCE
- Period
- Early Bronze Age (2900-1750 BCE)
- Culture
- Mari Culture
- Purpose
- Fortified settlement and ceremonial centre controlling regional exchange
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2500 BCE
Initial construction of Mari Palace Western Annex Drain main structure
c. 1297 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain
1999–2018
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5575° N · 40.8919° E · 196 m · 4 mapped features
- Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Main Ancient-City FeaturehydraulicPrimary hydraulic at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits34.5578° N · 40.8904° E
- Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Secondary EnclosurenecropolisAncillary necropolis at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits34.5561° N · 40.8927° E
- Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Outlier Rock Art PaneltempleOutlier temple panel linked to Mari Palace Western Annex Drain ceremonial landscape34.5590° N · 40.8935° E
- Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Hydraulic/Cistern AnnexchamberHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain with plastered basin34.5582° N · 40.8934° E
Gallery