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Excavation dates 1958–1960s; 1973–present Archaeologists A. Moortgat, U. Moortgat-Correns, W. Orthmann, J.-W. Meyer Similar Khirbet Kerak, Tell el‑Hesi, Tell Balata, Pyramid of Djedkare Isesi, National Museum of Aleppo | ||
Tell Chuera is an ancient Near Eastern tell site in Raqqa Governorate, northern Syria. It lies between the Balikh and Khabur rivers.
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Archaeological researches
The site was first described by Max von Oppenheim in 1913. Excavations were begun in 1958 by a team from the Free University of Berlin led by Anton Moortgat. These efforts continued until the late 1960s. With a new co-leader, Ursula Moortgat-Correns, digs occurred in 1973, 1974 and 1976. Archaeological work at the site then came under the direction of Winfried Orthmann of the University of Halle, until 1998. Excavation then was taken up by a team from the Goethe University Frankfurt, under the direction of Professor Jan-Waalke Meyer.
Tell Chuera and its environment
The site of Tell Chuera is roughly 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) in diameter and 18 metres (59 ft) high.
Occupation history
Originally occupied during the 4th millennium, Tell Chuera became a major site in the 3rd millennium during the Early Dynastic period. It reached its peak around 2350 BC and was then abandoned for reasons as yet unknown. A small settlement was built on the location by the Assyrians during the 2nd millennium. While the early name for the city is unknown, during Middle Assyrian times it was known as Harbe.
