Tell Arqa
Arqa · Irqata
Neolithic to Crusader (c.6000 BCE–1300 CE; peak EB–Iron)·Halaf → EBA Levantine → Amorite → Egyptian–Canaanite → Phoenician → Crusader·🇱🇧 Akkar Governorate, Northern Lebanon, Lebanon
About
About Tell Arqa
Coastal plain tell near the Akkar river, French-Lebanese excavations by Jean-Paul Thalmann since 1978. Continuous Neolithic to Crusader sequence with EB IV fortified town, MB Amorite glacis, Late Bronze Egyptian garrison (Irqata of Amarna), Iron Phoenician levels and Crusader fortress.
Why it mattersKey Akkar Governorate, Northern Lebanon sequence for Neolithic to Crusader (c.6000 BCE–1300 CE; peak EB–Iron); akkar plain centre and coastal road station (via maris).
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Tell Arqa relative to neighbouring centres?
Theories
- 01Regional centre hypothesis for Akkar Governorate
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Late Chalcolithic c.3500 BCE fortified
- Period
- Neolithic to Crusader (c.6000 BCE–1300 CE; peak EB–Iron)
- Culture
- Halaf → EBA Levantine → Amorite → Egyptian–Canaanite → Phoenician → Crusader
- Builders
- Halaf communities
- Purpose
- Akkar plain centre and coastal road station (Via Maris)
- Abandoned
- c. 600 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 20th century survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1960
Foundation/earliest horizon
1980
Major excavations
2020
Conservation/monitoring
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5300° N · 35.9500° E · 30 m · 2 mapped features
EB IV rampart
fortificationEarly Bronze fortified rampart with gate
34.5302° N · 35.9503° EEgyptian residency (LB)
structureLate Bronze Egyptian-style administrative building (Irqata of Amarna)
34.5298° N · 35.9497° E