Tell Masin
تل مسين · Tall Masin · Tell Masin (Homs)
Early–Middle Bronze Age (c.2700–1600 BCE)·Syrian EBA–MBA (Qatna–Qadesh sphere)·🇸🇾 Homs Governorate, Orontes upper tributary, Syria
About
About Tell Masin
Homs hinterland tell 2 ha, 9 m high, EB–MB (c.2700–1600 BCE) with MB II earthen rampart trace and EB IV ceramics paralleling Qatna. Small fortified satellite to Qadesh/Qatna corridor, controlling Orontes tributary springs and steppe route. Soundings 1930s Du Mesnil and 2007 Homs survey expose MBII Hyksos ware and late EB fort wall.
Why it mattersQatna–Qadesh corridor EB–MB link.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Relation to Qatna kingdom?
Theories
- 01Spring route satellite model
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.2700 BCE
- Period
- Early–Middle Bronze Age (c.2700–1600 BCE)
- Culture
- Syrian EBA–MBA (Qatna–Qadesh sphere)
- Builders
- Orontes steppe communities
- Purpose
- Spring-fed hamlet and MB fort controlling tributary route
- Abandoned
- c.1600 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 1935 Du Mesnil
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.2700 BCE
EB town founded
c.1800 BCE
MBII rampart
c.1600 BCE
Abandoned
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5500° N · 36.8000° E · 520 m · 3 mapped features
Tell Masin — MB rampart
fortificationEarthen rampart trace, north arc
34.5505° N · 36.8000° ETell Masin — EB houses
houseEB IV silos and bins
34.5500° N · 36.8005° ETell Masin — Spring terrace
middenPaleospring edge midden
34.5495° N · 36.7995° E
Gallery