Tell Arqa (Arqa)
Arqa · Tell Arqa · Arkata · Irqata
Neolithic → EB → MB → LBA Amarna → Iron → Persian → Crusader (7000 BCE–1300 CE)·Levantine (Amorite → Egyptian/Hittite → Phoenician → Crusader)·🇱🇧 Akkar Governorate, Arqa plain, Akkar River, Lebanon
About
About Tell Arqa (Arqa)
Tell Arqa is a 30 ha multi-period tell-town on Akkar plain — Neolithic (7000 BCE) through EB walled city, MB Amorite, LB Egyptian-Hittite contested (Amarna Irqata), Iron Age Phoenician, Persian, Hellenistic, Crusader fortress (Arqa Castle). French-Lebanese excavations (Jean-Paul Thalmann) revealed EB III rampart (2800 BCE), MB II glacis and LB cuneiform (Amarna EA 100), Iron Age Phoenician storage. Stratified 6 m EB-MB rampart documents Akkar plain urbanism between Byblos and Tell Kazel. Crusader castle capping mound.
Why it mattersLargest Akkar plain centre spanning Neolithic to Crusader and type-sequence for EB-MB rampart evolution and Amarna Irqata identification — Phoenician hinterland reference.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Was EB III Arqa Amorite founding or indigenous?
- 02How linked to Tell Kazel Sumur orbit?
Theories
- 01Thalmann Akkar urban network vs Genz coastal EB I–III periphery
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.7000 BCE Neolithic; EB III wall 2800 BCE; MB II glacis 1800 BCE; Crusader castle 1100 CE
- Period
- Neolithic → EB → MB → LBA Amarna → Iron → Persian → Crusader (7000 BCE–1300 CE)
- Culture
- Levantine (Amorite → Egyptian/Hittite → Phoenician → Crusader)
- Builders
- Akkar plain communities, Amorite rampart builders, Phoenician traders, Crusader knights
- Purpose
- Akkar plain capital controlling Tripoli-Homs corridor and Akkar River crossing
- Abandoned
- c.1300 CE Mamluk destruction of Crusader castle
- Rediscovered
- Excavated 1971–present Thalmann (French Institute)
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
1971
Thalmann opens Tell Arqa, EB III rampart located
1992
Amarna-period cuneiform and LB Egyptian garrison published
1100
Crusader castle (Arqa) built on tell summit
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5297° N · 36.0400° E · 80 m · 3 mapped features
EB III rampart
fortificationEB III 30 m wide earthen rampart
34.5299° N · 36.0402° EMB glacis
fortificationMB II plastered glacis with gate
34.5297° N · 36.0400° ECrusader castle (Arqa Castle)
castle12th c Crusader fortress capping tell
34.5300° N · 36.0400° E
Gallery