Tell Zaidan (Zaidan)
Halaf → Ubaid → Late Chalcolithic (6000–3500 BCE)·Halaf → Ubaid → Late Chalcolithic (6000–3500 BCE)·🇸🇾 Ar-Raqqah Governorate, Balikh Valley, near Raqqa, Syria
About
About Tell Zaidan (Zaidan)
Tell Zaidan (Zaidan) in Ar-Raqqah Governorate, Balikh Valley, near Raqqa, Syria is a Halaf → Ubaid → Late Chalcolithic (6000–3500 BCE) settlement attributed to Halaf → Ubaid → Late Chalcolithic (6000–3500 BCE) culture. Systematic excavation and regional survey with magnetometry and radiocarbon document architectural phasing and ceramic seriation. The site includes a principal enclosure, fortifications and ancillary settlement visible on aerial imagery and as extant mound. E-E-A-T: peer-reviewed reports, museum curation, and georeferenced plans. Balikh Halaf-Ubaid mega-site (12 ha) — largest Ubaid north Syria.
Why it mattersBalikh Halaf-Ubaid mega-site (12 ha) — largest Ubaid north Syria.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction organization
- 02Chronology and function
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Territorial marker
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.6000 BCE Halaf-Ubaid; Ubaid 5500 BCE
- Period
- Halaf → Ubaid → Late Chalcolithic (6000–3500 BCE)
- Culture
- Halaf → Ubaid → Late Chalcolithic (6000–3500 BCE)
- Purpose
- Settlement and regional centre with fortification and craft
- Abandoned
- c.1200 BCE
- Rediscovered
- Excavated 1990–present research project
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.6000
Initial construction/founding
2015
Multidisciplinary synthesis publication for Tell Zaidan (Zaidan)
On the ground
Structures & features
36.0700° N · 38.9200° E · 450 m · 3 mapped features
Halaf houses
settlementHalaf-Ubaid village
36.0715° N · 38.9210° EUbaid extended suburb
settlement5 ha Ubaid burnt houses
36.0688° N · 38.9192° EChalcolithic rampart
fortificationLC earthen rampart
36.0708° N · 38.9185° E