Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Southern Extension
Early Bronze Age (2900-1750 BCE)·Mari Culture·🇸🇾 Deir ez-Zor, Tell Hariri, Syria
About
About Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Southern Extension
Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Southern Extension 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 necropolis 8 × 3 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 34.5463N 40.8885E 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
- 01Nature of burial rites and population
- 02Landscape function
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
- Excavated
c. 2500 BCE
Initial construction of Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Southern Extension main structure
c. 1158 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Southern Extension
1979–2022
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Southern Extension) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5463° N · 40.8885° E · 184 m · 3 mapped features
Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Southern Extension — Main Ancient-City Feature
templePrimary temple at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Southern Extension — platform mound with stratified deposits
34.5454° N · 40.8898° EMari Palace Western Annex Drain — Southern Extension — Secondary Enclosure
chamberAncillary chamber at Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Southern Extension — enclosure wall with stratified deposits
34.5466° N · 40.8870° EMari Palace Western Annex Drain — Southern Extension — Outlier Rock Art Panel
cairnOutlier cairn panel linked to Mari Palace Western Annex Drain — Southern Extension ceremonial landscape
34.5447° N · 40.8884° E