Kordlar Tepe
Kordlar Tepe
Iron Age I–III (1500–600 BCE)·Iron Age Urmia·🇮🇷 West Azerbaijan, Lake Urmia SE, Iran
About
About Kordlar Tepe
Kordlar Tepe in West Azerbaijan, Lake Urmia SE, Iran is a Iron Age I–III (1500–600 BCE) tell of Iron Age Urmia tradition. Iron Age cemetery linking Hasanlu–Marlik horizon on Urmia south. Occupied from c.1300 BCE, the site forms a stratified mound/karst mound 120×100 m, cemetery 0.5 ha, iron age grey ware. Excavations since the mid-20th c. expose stone cists with iron age grey ware, bronze horse bits architecture with diagnostic ceramics, lithics and administrative finds. Archaeobotany and radiocarbon anchor the sequence, informing regional Iron Age Urmia networks across the West Azerbaijan. Threats include agriculture, erosion; research continues on Iron Age Urmia chronology.
Why it mattersType-site for Iron Age Urmia Iron Age I–III (1500–600 BCE) in West Azerbaijan, Lake Urmia SE; key for chronology, technology and interaction.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Iron Age Urmia levels?
- 02Function of extramural cemetery?
Theories
- 01Demic diffusion vs local adoption
- 02Ritual aggregation centre
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.1300 BCE
- Period
- Iron Age I–III (1500–600 BCE)
- Culture
- Iron Age Urmia
- Purpose
- Iron Age cemetery linking Hasanlu–Marlik horizon on Urmia south
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.1300 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation
c.1200 BCE
Major expansion / fortification phase
20th c.
Systematic excavation begins
On the ground
Structures & features
37.2800° N · 45.2000° E · 1280 m · 3 mapped features
Kordlar Tepe — Central Mound
tellCentral mound with stratified architecture Levels I–IV
37.2804° N · 45.2005° EKordlar Tepe — Lower Town Workshop
workshopWorkshop/midden with pottery, slag or lithics
37.2794° N · 45.1994° EKordlar Tepe — Cemetery/Gate
cemeteryExtramural cemetery or gate area
37.2802° N · 45.1992° E