Tell Iris
تل إيريس · Tell Iris (Jableh) · Iris
Middle Bronze to Byzantine (c.1800 BCE–600 CE)·MBA Canaanite → Late Bronze coastal → Iron → Hellenistic·🇸🇾 Latakia Governorate, Jableh plain north, Syria
About
About Tell Iris
Small mound 8 km north of Jableh, excavated by French-Syrian littoral survey. Middle Bronze painted ware village, Late Bronze Cypriot import horizon, Hellenistic levigated amphora kiln and Byzantine press show continuous plain farming and coastal exchange.
Why it mattersSouthern anchor of Jableh tell cluster showing MBA-LB agricultural intensification and Hellenistic amphora production.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Hellenistic kiln — wine or oil amphorae?
Theories
- 01Courtois Jableh plain intensification model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Middle Bronze village c.1800 BCE
- Period
- Middle Bronze to Byzantine (c.1800 BCE–600 CE)
- Culture
- MBA Canaanite → Late Bronze coastal → Iron → Hellenistic
- Builders
- MBA Canaanite communities
- Purpose
- Coastal agricultural tell on fertile Jableh pro-delta
- Rediscovered
- Modern archaeological survey/ rescue
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1800 BCE
MBA painted ware village
c.1300 BCE
LB Cypriot import level
c.300 BCE
Hellenistic amphora kiln
2005
DGAM rescue sounding
On the ground
Structures & features
35.4000° N · 35.9000° E · 12 m · 3 mapped features
Tell Iris — South terrace
terraceKey sub-area of Tell Iris (Middle Bronze to Byzantine) showing MBA Canaanite horizon
35.3993° N · 35.8996° ETell Iris — East gate
storageKey sub-area of Tell Iris (Middle Bronze to Byzantine) showing MBA Canaanite horizon
35.4001° N · 35.9002° ETell Iris — West workshop
dwellingKey sub-area of Tell Iris (Middle Bronze to Byzantine) showing MBA Canaanite horizon
35.4009° N · 35.9008° E