Tilbeşar Höyük
Tilbeşar Höyük
Neolithic–Iron (6000–600 BCE)·Halaf to Neo-Hittite·🇹🇷 Gaziantep Province, Turkey
About
About Tilbeşar Höyük
Tilbeşar Höyük in Gaziantep Province, Turkey is a Neolithic–Iron (6000–600 BCE) tell attributed to Halaf to Neo-Hittite. Citadel on Aleppo–Carchemish road. Stratified deposits with radiocarbon sequence and imported materials trace long-distance exchange. Systematic and rescue excavations exposed houses, fortifications and craft zones preserved as a multi-period tell on aerial imagery.
Why it mattersKey Halaf to Neo-Hittite sequence for Gaziantep Province; defines regional chronology for Neolithic–Iron.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Phasing precision vs radiocarbon plateau
- 02Ritual vs domestic architecture?
Theories
- 01Regional centre model
- 02ceremonial/territorial marker
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.6000–600 BCE
- Period
- Neolithic–Iron (6000–600 BCE)
- Culture
- Halaf to Neo-Hittite
- Purpose
- Citadel on Aleppo–Carchemish road
- Rediscovered
- 2006 survey; systematic excavations
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.6000
Village founded on terrace/plain
c.4484 BCE
Peak occupation — plastered houses and painted pottery
1996
Systematic excavations uncover stratigraphy
On the ground
Structures & features
36.8800° N · 37.5500° E · 520 m · 3 mapped features
- Tilbeşar Höyük — Central mound/acropolisstructureMain stratified summit with houses/fortifications and sequence36.8803° N · 37.5502° E
- Tilbeşar Höyük — Lower town / extramural areacomplexLower town or extramural cemetery/workshop zone36.8796° N · 37.5503° E
- Tilbeşar Höyük — Craft / midden quarterworkshopWorkshop or midden with pottery and tools36.8802° N · 37.5496° E