Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Eastern Outlier
Early Bronze Age (2900-1750 BCE)·Mari Culture·🇸🇾 Deir ez-Zor, Tell Hariri, Syria
About
About Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Eastern Outlier
Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Eastern Outlier 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 enclosure 10 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 34.5608N 40.8864E 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
- 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. 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 — Eastern Outlier main structure
c. 605 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Eastern Outlier
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Eastern Outlier) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5608° N · 40.8864° E · 188 m · 4 mapped features
Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Eastern Outlier — Main Ancient-City Feature
chamberPrimary chamber at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Eastern Outlier — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits
34.5598° N · 40.8853° EMari Palace Western Annex Drain — Eastern Outlier — Secondary Enclosure
cairnAncillary cairn at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Eastern Outlier — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits
34.5601° N · 40.8874° EMari Palace Western Annex Drain — Eastern Outlier — Outlier Rock Art Panel
plazaOutlier plaza panel linked to Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Eastern Outlier ceremonial landscape
34.5625° N · 40.8866° EMari Palace Western Annex Drain — Eastern Outlier — Hydraulic/Cistern Annex
reservoirHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Eastern Outlier with plastered basin
34.5625° N · 40.8844° E