Tell Atchana
Alalakh · Alalaḫ · Atchana
EB to LB (c.3400–1200 BCE; peak Level VII palace 1740–1400)·Eblaite → Amorite → Mittani → Hittite·🇹🇷 Hatay Province, Amuq Plain, Turkey
About
About Tell Atchana
Tell Atchana is ancient Alalakh, capital of Mukish in the Amuq, famous for Level VII palace (Yarim-Lim) with painted frescoes, Level IV palace of Idrimi (statue with longest early alphabet inscription, c.1500 BCE), and 2000+ cuneiform tablets (Alalakh Tablets) detailing Bronze Age law and census. Woolley 1936–49; Yener renewed 2000–.
Why it mattersAmorite–Mittani–Hittite capital; Alalakh Tablets archive; Idrimi inscription.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Fresco origin — Aegean?
- 02Idrimi autobiography authenticity?
Theories
- 01Hyksos–Alalakh link (Yener)
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.3400 BCE
- Period
- EB to LB (c.3400–1200 BCE; peak Level VII palace 1740–1400)
- Culture
- Eblaite → Amorite → Mittani → Hittite
- Builders
- Alalakh kings (Yarim-Lim, Idrimi)
- Purpose
- Settlement and ceremonial centre
- Abandoned
- c.1200 BCE (Sea Peoples)
- Rediscovered
- 1936 (Woolley)
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.1740 BCE
Level VII palace (Yarim-Lim) burnt
c.1500 BCE
Idrimi palace and statue with inscription
1936
Woolley excavates Alalakh
On the ground
Structures & features
36.2400° N · 36.3800° E · 85 m · 4 mapped features
Level VII Palace (Yarim-Lim) and Frescoes
palaceAmorite palace with Minoan-style painted frescoes, Level VII
36.2404° N · 36.3802° EIdrimi Palace (Level IV) and Statue Findspot
palacePalace of usurper Idrimi with basalt statue and inscription, Level IV
36.2395° N · 36.3803° ESouthern Fortress and City Gate
fortificationLB fortress with orthostat gate, Hittite destruction
36.2393° N · 36.3795° EAlalakh Tablets Archive Quarter
archive2000-tablet archive houses, census and law texts
36.2406° N · 36.3805° E