Şeyh Höyük (Kilis)
Şeyh Höyük (Kilis) · Şeyh Höyük
Early Bronze (3000–2200 BCE)·EB Levantine (Amuq F–G)·🇹🇷 Kilis Province, Turkey
About
About Şeyh Höyük (Kilis)
Şeyh Höyük (Kilis) in Kilis Province, Turkey is a Early Bronze (3000–2200 BCE) tell attributed to EB Levantine (Amuq F–G). EB hamlet on basalt ridge south of Oylum. Stratified deposits with radiocarbon sequence and imported materials trace long-distance exchange. Systematic and rescue excavations exposed houses, fortifications and craft zones preserved as a multi-period tell on aerial imagery.
Why it mattersKey EB Levantine (Amuq F–G) sequence for Kilis Province; defines regional chronology for Early Bronze.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Phasing precision vs radiocarbon plateau
- 02Ritual vs domestic architecture?
Theories
- 01Regional centre model
- 02ceremonial/territorial marker
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.3000–2200 BCE
- Period
- Early Bronze (3000–2200 BCE)
- Culture
- EB Levantine (Amuq F–G)
- Purpose
- EB hamlet on basalt ridge south of Oylum
- Rediscovered
- 2003 survey; systematic excavations
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.3000
Initial founding / earliest level
c.2000 BCE
Major architectural rephase — walls and houses rebuilt in stone/mudbrick
2008
Modern systematic excavations / rescue programme
On the ground
Structures & features
36.7500° N · 37.3500° E · 520 m · 3 mapped features
- Şeyh Höyük (Kilis) — Central mound/acropolisstructureMain stratified summit with houses/fortifications and sequence36.7503° N · 37.3502° E
- Şeyh Höyük (Kilis) — Lower town / extramural areacomplexLower town or extramural cemetery/workshop zone36.7496° N · 37.3503° E
- Şeyh Höyük (Kilis) — Craft / midden quarterworkshopWorkshop or midden with pottery and tools36.7502° N · 37.3496° E