Tell Mozan — Urkesh Palace and Temple Terrace
Tell Mozan · Urkesh
Third to Old Babylonian (2600–1700 BCE)·Hurrian (Urkesh)·🇸🇾 Hasakah, Khabur Triangle, Syria
Uqnitum · CC BY-SA 4.0
About
About Tell Mozan — Urkesh Palace and Temple Terrace
Khabur excavations by Buccellati 1984–, Hurrian royal archives, stone lions and underworld pit abi. Recorded context — Period: Third to Old Babylonian (2600–1700 BCE); Culture: Hurrian (Urkesh); Field status: excavated; Materials: mudbrick, stone lions; Condition: ruins.
Why it mattersKey Hurrian (Urkesh) tell with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Collapse cause
Theories
- 01Elite residence
- 02Seasonal gathering
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. 2600 BCE; Palace AP 2250 BCE
- Period
- Third to Old Babylonian (2600–1700 BCE)
- Culture
- Hurrian (Urkesh)
- Purpose
- Hurrian capital Urkesh with 60 m palace AP of King Tupkish and stone temple of Kumarbi
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1912
- Excavation
- Excavated
1950 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Tell Mozan — Urkesh Palace and Temple Terrace
c. 200 CE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Tell Mozan — Urkesh Palace and Temple Terrace
c. 2600 BCE; Palace AP 2250 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Tell Mozan — Urkesh Palace and Temple Terrace
On the ground
Structures & features
37.0680° N · 41.0980° E · 450 m · 3 mapped features
- Tell Mozan — Urkesh Palace and Temple Terrace — Principal Palacepalacepalace at Tell Mozan — Urkesh Palace and Temple Terrace — subsidiary complex37.0669° N · 41.0997° E
- Tell Mozan — Urkesh Palace and Temple Terrace — Temple Annex 2templetemple at Tell Mozan — Urkesh Palace and Temple Terrace — hydraulic feature37.0697° N · 41.0980° E
- Tell Mozan — Urkesh Palace and Temple Terrace — Southern Gategategate at Tell Mozan — Urkesh Palace and Temple Terrace — outlier feature37.0692° N · 41.0974° E
Gallery