Tell Sukas (Shuksu)
تل سوكاس · Tell Sukas, Sukas, Shuksi, Tell Shuksea
MBA through Classical·Canaanite MBA → Ugaritic Shuksi (LB) → Phoenician → Greek emporion·🇸🇾 Latakia Governorate, coast near Jableh (ancient Shuksi), Syria
About
About Tell Sukas (Shuksu)
Small coastal tell (90×70 m, 10 m) excavated 1958–63 Poul Jørgen Riis (Carlsberg Danish Expedition) with Bronze-to-Iron harbour sequence: MBA Canaanite, Late Bronze Mycenaean/Uluburun-import bay, Iron Phoenician and Greek 7th c. BCE emporion (Euboean imports) then Persian. Identified as Bronze Shuksi / Ugaritic Suksu. Late Bronze destruction c.1190 BCE then Phoenician reoccupation with Cypriot wares. Underlies coastal road 12 km north of Ugarit.
Why it mattersKey easternmost Euboean Greek emporion before Naukratis; illuminates Phoenician–Greek exchange and LB Mycenaean trade on Syrian coast.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Was LB Sukas Ugaritic Shuksi administrative port vs independent?
- 02Degree of Greek resident vs visitation in Phoenician 7th c.
Theories
- 01Riis Phoenician emporion vs Perreault mixed establishment model
- 02Shuksi toponym match strength
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 MBA foundation; Philistine? LB port c.1400–1190 BCE; Phoenician-Greek 850–550 BCE
- Period
- MBA through Classical
- Culture
- Canaanite MBA → Ugaritic Shuksi (LB) → Phoenician → Greek emporion
- Builders
- Canaanite-Ugaritic sailors; Phoenician traders and Euboean Greeks
- Purpose
- Small Phoenician harbour controlling Ugarit-Jableh cabotage
- Abandoned
- c.550 BCE Persian absorption
- Rediscovered
- Excavated 1958–63 Riis (Aarhus/Danish National Museum)
- Excavation
- Excavated
1200 BCE
Sweet end of LB with Mycenaean IIIC:1 Philistine horizon above destruction
1958
Riis opens Danish north-slope trench revealing Phoenician Greek imports
On the ground
Structures & features
35.3080° N · 35.9170° E · 40 m · 2 mapped features
LB Mycenaean horizon
settlementMycenaean IIIC imports in burnt LB level
35.3082° N · 35.9175° EPhoenician Greek emporion
harbour7th c. BCE Euboean drinking cups in Phoenician houses
35.3080° N · 35.9170° E