Tell Kurdu (Amuq)
تل كردو · Tell Kurdu, Kurdu, Amuq Plain
Halaf through EBA; Ubaid peak·Amuq Halaf → Ubaid → Amuq F (L. Chalcolithic–EBA)·🇹🇷 Hatay Province, Amuq Plain, Reyhanlı–Kumlu, Turkey
About
About Tell Kurdu (Amuq)
Twin-neighbour to Chatal in Amuq, type-site for Halaf-Ubaid Late Chalcolithic transition, excavated Braidwood 1930s and renewed W. Yener (Chicago) since 1999. Ubaid period (c.4800–4000 BCE) revealed tripartite houses, kilns and Ubaid painted ceramics; beneath, Halaf levels and above EBA reoccupation. Highlights Ubaid expansion north to Cilicia: beveled-rim precursors and chaff-tempered wares. Large oval mound 15 ha buried under wheat and lake-bed clay.
Why it mattersDefines Ubaid presence in Amuq — key for Ubaid expansion vs indigenous Halaf-Ubaid transition debate.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Ubaid as Mesopotamian migration or local Halaf adoption?
- 02Kiln specialization evidence for craft prosumer economy
Theories
- 01Yener Ubaid intrusion vs Nieuwenhuyse local evolution
- 02Amuq lake level impacts on settlement
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.5800 BCE Halaf basal; Ubaid village c.4800–4000 BCE; EBA reoccupation
- Period
- Halaf through EBA; Ubaid peak
- Culture
- Amuq Halaf → Ubaid → Amuq F (L. Chalcolithic–EBA)
- Builders
- Ubaid-period farmers and potters; Halaf village founders
- Purpose
- Lake Amuq shore village on obsidian–clay exchange route
- Abandoned
- c.3800 BCE Ubaid abandonment then EBA shift to Chatal
- Rediscovered
- Excavated 1938 Braidwood sondage; 1999– Yener/Kardulias Chicago team
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1938
Braidwood Ubaid sounding defines Amuq E phase
1999
Yener re-excavates Ubaid houses and kilns with magnetometry
On the ground
Structures & features
36.3560° N · 36.4610° E · 80 m · 2 mapped features
Ubaid tripartite houses
settlementUbaid channel-painted ware kiln village
36.3562° N · 36.4612° EHalaf basal
settlementHalaf precoating beneath Ubaid
36.3560° N · 36.4610° E