Tell Kazel — Ancient Sumur
Tell Kazel — Ancient Sumur Tell
Middle Bronze to Iron (1900–500 BCE)·Canaanite/ Sea Peoples·🇸🇾 Tartus Governorate, Akkar plain, Syria
About
About Tell Kazel — Ancient Sumur
Tell Kazel — Ancient Sumur in Tartus Governorate, Akkar plain, Syria is a Middle Bronze to Iron (1900–500 BCE) tell attributed to Canaanite/ Sea Peoples culture. German and Syrian excavations document stratified sequence with ceramic seriation and radiocarbon. The site includes a principal mound and ancillary settlement.
Why it mattersKey Canaanite/ Sea Peoples site illustrating Middle Bronze to Iron (1900–500 BCE) tell traditions.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Urban planning of Tell Kazel — Ancient Sumur
- 02Chronology of lower town
Theories
- 01Administrative centre for Canaanite/ Sea Peoples
- 02Trade hub on Euphrates/Khabur
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. 1900 BCE
- Period
- Middle Bronze to Iron (1900–500 BCE)
- Culture
- Canaanite/ Sea Peoples
- Purpose
- Coastal town Sumur of Amarna letters
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1900 BCE
Initial settlement
c. 2000 BCE
Major expansion and fortification
On the ground
Structures & features
34.7122° N · 36.0222° E · 560 m · 3 mapped features
- Tell Kazel — Ancient Sumur — Main MoundmoundMain tell mound Tell Kazel — Ancient Sumur 15 m high with stratified phases34.7130° N · 36.0230° E
- Tell Kazel — Ancient Sumur — Lower TownsettlementLower town settlement 10 ha with houses and kilns34.7113° N · 36.0217° E
- Tell Kazel — Ancient Sumur — Gate AreagateFortified gate with mudbrick walls and bastions34.7133° N · 36.0215° E