Tell Beydar — Acropolis Temple Terrace (Nabada)
Early Dynastic III, c.2600–2350 BCE·Kish civilization / Nagar·🇸🇾 Al-Hasakah Governorate, Upper Khabur, Syria
About
About Tell Beydar — Acropolis Temple Terrace (Nabada)
Acropolis temple staircase at Tell Beydar (ancient Nabada, c.2600–2350 BCE, Early Dynastic). European TEAM (Lebeau & Milano 1992-2010) excavated 32-ha walled city with palace and three temples on citadel mound 14 m high, central Temple A with stair to high terrace 30 × 20 m. Palace tablets (200+ cuneiform) record grain distribution.
Why it mattersEarliest Khabur city-state archive; reveals Nagar-Nabada rivalry.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Nabada vs Nagar political hierarchy
Theories
- 01Beydar as Nagar provincial capital
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.2500 BCE acropolis
- Period
- Early Dynastic III, c.2600–2350 BCE
- Culture
- Kish civilization / Nagar
- Builders
- Nabada palace elite
- Purpose
- Citadel temples + palace — high temple terrace overlooking walled city
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2500 BCE acropolis
Initial construction / foundation
c.500 CE
Major refurbishment / enlargement phase
c.1100 CE
Abandonment or conversion
1890–1930
Modern rediscovery and first scientific survey
On the ground
Structures & features
36.7360° N · 40.5860° E · 350 m · 2 mapped features
Temple A high staircase and cella
templeMonumental stair to Temple A cella with podium and basin
36.7361° N · 40.5859° EPalace tablet archive rooms
archivePalace archive with 200 Early Dynastic tablets on shelves
36.7359° N · 40.5861° E