Tell Sheikh Hamad

Why it mattersLargest Neo-Assyrian archive outside Assur; Khabur colonization and King's Road logistics.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

c.1400 BCE

Period

Late Bronze to Neo-Assyrian (c.1400–600 BCE; provincial capital 900–600)

Culture

Mittani → Middle Assyrian → Neo-Assyrian provincial

Builders

Shalmaneser I (1263 BCE); Adad-nirari II

Purpose

Settlement and ceremonial centre

Abandoned

c.600 BCE

Rediscovered

1878 (Rassam)

Excavation

Excavation ongoing

1. 1263 BCE

   Shalmaneser I refounds as Dur-Katlimmu

2. c.900 BCE

   Adad-nirari II makes provincial capital

3. 612 BCE

   Red House sealed by sack fire

4. 1978–present

   Kühne FU Berlin excavations (Röllig, Maul)

• Lower Town Red House (Scholars' Archive Building)

  palace

  Neo-Assyrian elite residence (7th c. BCE) with vaulted magazines, bathtub suite, cult room and 600-tablet archive sealed 612 BCE

  35.6395° N · 40.7407° E

• Citadel Palace and Nergal Temple

  temple

  Adad-nirari II palace and Nergal temple with courtyard, podium, votives

  35.6386° N · 40.7405° E

• City Wall Circuit and Khabur Canal (Nahr Ham')

  fortification

  3-km Assyrian glacis wall with gates and canal traces

  35.6399° N · 40.7393° E

• Mittani Building P Sondage

  settlement

  Nuzi ware and Middle Assyrian Building P with early canal layers

  35.6382° N · 40.7398° E