Tell Kazel (Sumur/Simyra)
Tell Kazel · Kazel · Sumur · Simyra
MB → LBA Egyptian/Hittite → Iron Phoenician → Persian → Hellenistic (2000–300 BCE)·Amorite → Egyptian (Amarna) → Hittite → Phoenician·🇸🇾 Tartus Governorate, Safita District, Akkar plain, al-Abrash River N, Syria
About
About Tell Kazel (Sumur/Simyra)
Tell Kazel (ancient Sumur/Simyra) is an oval tell 350×325 m base narrowing to 200×200 m summit, 25 m high in north Akkar plain on al-Abrash River — MB–LB Amorite, Egyptian (Amarna Sumur), Hittite, Iron Phoenician, Persian and Hellenistic levels, excavated by Leila Badre & AUB. Egyptian garrison (Amarna EA 103–109) with Hittite destruction horizon, Iron Phoenician storage pits and Persian fort. 200 m town wall with casemate and LB Egyptian-Hittite contested archive documenting Amarna northern frontier.
Why it mattersOnly excavated Egyptian Amarna Sumur in Syria and Hittite northern frontier archive — type-site for LB Egyptian-Hittite Akkar contest and Iron Phoenician continuity.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Was Sumur solely Egyptian or joint Amorite garrison?
- 02Hittite destruction Mursili II or later?
Theories
- 01Badre Sumur as Egyptian customs post vs Morris Egyptian imperial administration
- 02Akkar plain polity fluctuation 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
- c.2000 BCE MB founding; LB Egyptian garrison 1500–1200 BCE; Iron Phoenician 1000 BCE
- Period
- MB → LBA Egyptian/Hittite → Iron Phoenician → Persian → Hellenistic (2000–300 BCE)
- Culture
- Amorite → Egyptian (Amarna) → Hittite → Phoenician
- Builders
- Akkar Amorite founders, Egyptian administrators, Hittite conquerors, Phoenician refounders
- Purpose
- Akkar plain capital and Egyptian Amarna northern frontier garrison (Sumur) controlling Homs Gap sea gate
- Abandoned
- c.300 BCE Hellenistic shift to Tartus/Antaradus
- Rediscovered
- Surveyed 1950s, excavated 1985–present Badre AUB/DGAM
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
1985
Badre AUB opens Tell Kazel, Amarna Sumur archive located
1990
Hittite destruction layer (Mursili II?) with Egyptian-Hittite tablets
2010
Iron Phoenician harbour suburb magnetometry
On the ground
Structures & features
34.7081° N · 35.9861° E · 65 m · 3 mapped features
Amarna Sumur garrison
fortLB Egyptian administrative building with Amarna tablets
34.7083° N · 35.9863° EHittite destruction horizon
destruction layerBurnt LB layer with Hittite pottery
34.7081° N · 35.9861° EOval town wall (casemate)
fortification350×325 m casemate wall
34.7078° N · 35.9859° E