Tell Brk Analysis

Tell Brak and Hamoukar are sites that provide new insight in terms of our understanding of early urbanism and the relationship between northern and southern Mesopotamia. These two sites have begun to change the minds of archaeologists about the rise of urbanism and the relationship between the northern and southern halves of Mesopotamia. Even Guillermo Algaze – whose accepted theory that the spread of urbanism started in Southern Mesopotamia through three types of settlements – had begun to change his mind because of the evidence found at Tell Brak and Hamoukar. What makes these two special that they are changing the minds of archaeologists?
Tell Brak is a site that is located in northeastern Syria. At Tell Brak, a structure was found that dated to about 6,400 years ago, which had a massive entrance framed by two towers and an enormous doorsill made of one piece of basalt. Around the structure, archaeologists have revealed parts of two large rooms inside, a group of …show more content…
However, northern urbanism was not the only evidence found at these two sites. Evidence at Tell Brak and Hamoukar (here, more than Tell Brak) suggests to archaeologists that the (mostly) peaceful trade and communication between the north and south may have been violent. At Tell Brak, two mass graves of at least 70 bodies – who all died around the same time (5,800 years ago) – was discovered. This discovered aided in the interpretation of the war zone found at Hamoukar, where the evidence (extensive damage to the wall) suggests that Hamoukar was attacked with clay bullets thrown by slings. The clay bullets are associated with a layer of ash, which indicates a catastrophic fire in Hamoukar, and then an introduction of the Uruk-style pottery on top of it. Needless to say, this kind of transition suggested that Hamoukar was attacked and the invading force took

Show More

Related Documents: Tell Brk Analysis

Ikea Global Retailer Essay