Telul eth-Thalathat
تلول الثلاثة · Telul eth Thalathat · Three Mounds (Thalathat) · Tell Thalathat
Hassuna to Uruk (c.6000–3100 BCE; Halaf-Ubaid emphasis)·Hassuna → Halaf (Thalathat painted) → Ubaid → Uruk·🇮🇶 Nineveh Governorate, Wadi Khuzna, south of Tel Afar, Iraq
About
About Telul eth-Thalathat
Cluster of five tells (I–V) on Wadi Khuzna south of Tel Afar, excavated 1956–65 by Japanese (Fukai, Matsutani). Thalathat II Halaf halaf painted ware masterpiece level, III-Ubaid transitional and Uruk bevel-rim — reference north Mesopotamian painted sequence.
Why it mattersFive-mound Halaf-Ubaid reference with Thalathat Painted pottery defining Halaf II and Ubaid intrusive levels on Wadi Khuzna.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Halaf-Ubaid transition abrupt or blended?
Theories
- 01Fukai THALATHAT Halaf heartland 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
- Hassuna village c.6000 BCE
- Period
- Hassuna to Uruk (c.6000–3100 BCE; Halaf-Ubaid emphasis)
- Culture
- Hassuna → Halaf (Thalathat painted) → Ubaid → Uruk
- Builders
- Hassuna communities
- Purpose
- Sinjar-Wadi Khuzna multi-period centre with Halaf-Ubaid transition
- Rediscovered
- Modern archaeological survey/ rescue
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.6000 BCE
Hassuna founding (Thalathat V)
c.5400 BCE
Halaf painted Thalathat II
c.4400 BCE
Ubaid-III transition
1956
Fukai Japanese expedition
On the ground
Structures & features
36.1500° N · 42.5500° E · 320 m · 3 mapped features
Telul eth-Thalathat — South terrace
terraceKey sub-area of Telul eth-Thalathat (Hassuna to Uruk) showing Hassuna horizon
36.1493° N · 42.5496° ETelul eth-Thalathat — East gate
storageKey sub-area of Telul eth-Thalathat (Hassuna to Uruk) showing Hassuna horizon
36.1501° N · 42.5502° ETelul eth-Thalathat — West workshop
dwellingKey sub-area of Telul eth-Thalathat (Hassuna to Uruk) showing Hassuna horizon
36.1509° N · 42.5508° E