Kadesh
Tell Nebi Mend · Qadesh · Kadesh on Orontes
Chalcolithic to Iron Age (c.4000–600 BCE; peak Late Bronze Kadesh kingdom 1500–1200)·Chalcolithic → EB → Mittani → Hittite vassal → Assyrian·🇸🇾 Homs Governorate, Orontes, Syria
About
About Kadesh
Kadesh (Tell Nebi Mend) on Orontes is the Late Bronze city of the Battle of Kadesh (1274 BCE) — largest chariot battle (Hittite Muwatalli II vs Egyptian Ramesses II). Tell with twin mounds and 60-ha lower town; Moray & Parr excavations revealed LB city wall and temple. Hittite–Egyptian treaty aftermath.
Why it mattersBattle of Kadesh — international diplomacy origin.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Kadesh location vs biblical?
Theories
- 01Chariot warfare genesis
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.4000 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Iron Age (c.4000–600 BCE; peak Late Bronze Kadesh kingdom 1500–1200)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic → EB → Mittani → Hittite vassal → Assyrian
- Builders
- Kadesh kings (Tette, etc.)
- Purpose
- Settlement and ceremonial centre
- Abandoned
- c.600 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 1921 (Peet)
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1500 BCE
Mittani vassal Kadesh
1274 BCE
Battle of Kadesh — Muwatalli II vs Ramesses II
1921
Peet excavations
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5700° N · 36.5200° E · 450 m · 3 mapped features
Western Citadel and LB City Wall
fortificationLB city wall with glacis and gate, Battle era
34.5703° N · 36.5202° ELower Town South
city60-ha lower town with temple and houses
34.5695° N · 36.5206° ETemple Platform (Kadesh deity)
templeLB temple podium with Hittite votives
34.5707° N · 36.5197° E