Turkey - Tilbeshar

A brief history of the site

Tilbeshar consists of a citadel covering 6 hectares and standing 40 metres high, surrounded by a preserved lower town, between 2 to 6 metres above the virgin soil. Occupied from as early as the Recent Neolithic Age (6th millennium), the central mound in Tilbeshar holds significant levels of the Chalcolithic Age, in particular from the 4th millennium. It is a large city, from the Ancient Bronze Age (from 2600 BC) up to the Middle Bronze Age (1600 AD) and its maximum surface area spanned as much as 56 hectares. After sporadic Achemenid and later Byzantine occupation, Tilbeshar once again became a major conurbation during medieval times and, primarily, in the 12th and 13th centuries of our era, hence giving reason for the development of a specific programme; it was then known as Turbessel and Tell Bashir.

Our field operations dedicated to prospecting the site and carrying out brief surveys began in 1994 and 1995. From 1996 to 2000, five excavation campaigns were carried out every Spring. From 2001 to 2004, we completed three research missions there. A new series of digs began in 2005.