Tell Ta'yinat is a low-lying ancient tell on the east bank at the bend of the Orontes River where it flows through the Amuq valley , in the Hatay province of southeastern Turkey about 25 kilometers south east of Antakya (ancient Antioch ), and lies near Tell Atchana , the site of the ancient city of Alalakh. Tell Ta'yinat has been proposed as the site of Alalaḫu , inhabited in late 3rd millennium BC, mentioned in Ebla's Palace G archive ; and in later times as Kinalua , the capital city of an Iron Age Neo-Hittite kingdom . Among the findings are an Iron Age temple and several 1st millennium BC cuneiform tablets . Chatal Huyuk (Amuq) is another major site that is located in the area.
41-517: Archaeologist Timothy Harrison, the dig director for many years starting in 2004, supports the identification of the site with Kinalua, the capital of a Neo-Hittite / Aramean Iron Age kingdom. In the period of Neo-Assyrian control it was the center of the Unqi province. It is a possible site of the city of Calneh mentioned in the Hebrew Bible . Four seasons of archaeological excavations were conducted at
82-494: A dispersal of settlements and ruralization, with the appearance of large numbers of hamlets, villages, and farmsteads. Syro-Hittite states emerged in the process of such major landscape transformation, in the form of regional states with new political structures and cultural affiliations. David Hawkins was able to trace a dynastic link between the Hittite imperial dynasty and the "Great Kings" and "Country-lords" of Melid and Karkamish of
123-1872: A gradual spread of alphabetic writing in Aramaic and Phoenician . During the cultural interactions on the Levantine coast of Syro-Palestine and North Syria in the tenth through 8th centuries BCE, Greeks and Phrygians adopted the alphabetic writing from the Phoenicians. ( Shamshi-Adad dynasty 1808–1736 BCE) (Amorites) Shamshi-Adad I Ishme-Dagan I Mut-Ashkur Rimush Asinum Ashur-dugul Ashur-apla-idi Nasir-Sin Sin-namir Ipqi-Ishtar Adad-salulu Adasi (Non-dynastic usurpers 1735–1701 BCE) Puzur-Sin Ashur-dugul Ashur-apla-idi Nasir-Sin Sin-namir Ipqi-Ishtar Adad-salulu Adasi ( Adaside dynasty 1700–722 BCE) Bel-bani Libaya Sharma-Adad I Iptar-Sin Bazaya Lullaya Shu-Ninua Sharma-Adad II Erishum III Shamshi-Adad II Ishme-Dagan II Shamshi-Adad III Ashur-nirari I Puzur-Ashur III Enlil-nasir I Nur-ili Ashur-shaduni Ashur-rabi I Ashur-nadin-ahhe I Enlil-Nasir II Ashur-nirari II Ashur-bel-nisheshu Ashur-rim-nisheshu Ashur-nadin-ahhe II Second Intermediate Period Sixteenth Dynasty Abydos Dynasty Seventeenth Dynasty (1500–1100 BCE) Kidinuid dynasty Igehalkid dynasty Untash-Napirisha Twenty-first Dynasty of Egypt Smendes Amenemnisu Psusennes I Amenemope Osorkon
164-470: A lower mound (now under floodplain cover, extending to the north (around 200 meters), east (around 100 meters), and southeast (slight extent). About 550 square meters of the upper mound (north and east sides) have been removed by modern bulldozer activities. In the Early Bronze Age the site was somewhat larger than the current upper mound at around 25 hectares, based on coring and surface collection, with
205-614: A plant. The fruit is a small capsule 0.5–1.5 cm long (to 3 cm in B. macrocarpa ), containing several small seeds . The genus splits into three genetically distinct sections, each section in a different region, with the Eurasian species in one section, the African (except northwest Africa) and Madagascan species in the second, and the American species in the third. The African and American sections are genetically closer to each other than to
246-417: A popular wood for other woodwind instruments, and was among the traditional woods for Great Highland bagpipes before tastes turned to imported dense tropical woods such as cocuswood , ebony , and African blackwood . Prior to the development of plastics , boxwood was important to a wide range of fields from engineering to arts, construction to cartography, due to its density and stability making it one of
287-529: A specific designation for western regions (ancient Aram ). For ancient Luwians, Syria was designation for Assyria proper, thus revealing the later Greek use of the term Syria as very different from its original meaning, and also anachronistic if used in modern scientific descriptions of historical realities, related to Luwian and Aramean states of the Iron Age. The collapse of the Hittite New Kingdom
328-457: Is "boxwood" in all varieties of English. Owing to the relatively high density of the wood , boxwood is often used for chess pieces ; unstained boxwood for the white pieces, and stained (' ebonized ') boxwood for the black pieces in lieu of ebony . The extremely fine endgrain of box makes it suitable for woodblock printing and woodcut blocks, for which it was the usual material in Europe. In
369-1073: Is a genus of about seventy species in the family Buxaceae . Common names include box and boxwood . The boxes are native to western and southern Europe, southwest, southern and eastern Asia, Africa, Madagascar, northernmost South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean, with the majority of species being tropical or subtropical; only the European and some Asian species are frost -tolerant. Centres of diversity occur in Cuba (about 30 species), China (17 species) and Madagascar (9 species). They are slow-growing evergreen shrubs and small trees , growing to 2–12 m (rarely 15 m) tall. The leaves are opposite, rounded to lanceolate , and leathery; they are small in most species, typically 1.5–5 cm long and 0.3–2.5 cm broad, but up to 11 cm long and 5 cm broad in B. macrocarpa . The flowers are small and yellow-green, monoecious with both sexes present on
410-459: Is also used, as a broad designation for the entire period of Anatolian history spanning from the 12th to the 6th century BCE. Anachronistic uses of Syrian labels in modern scholarly literature were additionally challenged after the recent discovery of the bilingual Çineköy inscription from the 8th century BCE, written in Luwian and Phoenician languages. The inscription contained references to
451-460: Is likely the same king who as part of a Syrian-Hittite coalition in 858 BC fought against the Neo-Assyrian invasion of Shalmaneser III . In August 2017, it was reported that a majestic female statue was discovered at the site, within the monumental gate complex leading to the upper citadel. This may be an image of Kubaba , divine mother of the gods of ancient Anatolia. Or it may be Kupapiyas, who
SECTION 10
#1732845343804492-400: Is mostly used to make tailpieces, chin rests and tuning pegs, but may be used for a variety of other parts as well. Other woods used for this purpose are rosewood and ebony. Boxwood was a common material for the manufacture of recorders in the eighteenth century, and a large number of mid- to high-end instruments made today are produced from one or other species of boxwood. Boxwood was once
533-621: Is seen as a specific regional phenomenon, particularly in light of significant linguistic distinctions between the two main regional languages, with Luwian belonging to the Anatolian group of Indo-European languages and Aramaic belonging to the Northwest Semitic group of Semitic languages . Several questions related to the regional grouping of Luwian and Aramaean states are viewed differently among scholars, including some views that are critical towards such grouping in general. One of
574-702: Is the one known as Pattin or Patina, the shortened form of Palistin (together c. 1000-738 BC). Among the culturally diverse Syro-Hittite states in the north Syrian river-plain the rulers of Kinalua continued to bear royal Hittite names in the 8th century BC. With the rise of the Neo-Assyrians in the 9th century BC, rulers of Patina (thought to be the same as Kinalua) began to pay tribute to them. Ashurnasirpal II reports receiving silver and gold, 100 talents of tin, essential for making bronze, and 100 talents of iron, 1000 oxen and 10,000 sheep, linen robes and decorated couches and beds of boxwood , as well as "10 female singers,
615-614: Is usually associated with the gradual decline of Eastern Mediterranean trade networks and the resulting collapse of major Late Bronze Age cities in the Levant, Anatolia and the Aegean. At the beginning of the 12th century BCE, Wilusa ( Troy ) was destroyed and the Hittite New Kingdom suffered a sudden devastating attack from the Kaskas , who occupied the coasts around the Black Sea , and who joined with
656-687: The Iron Age , situated in southeastern parts of modern Turkey and northwestern parts of modern Syria , known in ancient times as lands of Hatti and Aram . They arose following the collapse of the Hittite New Kingdom in the 12th century BCE, and lasted until they were subdued by the Assyrian Empire in the 8th century BCE. They are grouped together by scholars, on the basis of several cultural criteria, that are recognized as similar and mutually shared between both societies, northern ( Luwian ) and southern ( Aramaean ). Cultural exchange between those societies
697-678: The Mysians . They proceeded to destroy almost all Hittite sites but were finally defeated by the Assyrians beyond the southern borders near the Tigris . Hatti , Arzawa ( Lydia ), Alashiya ( Cyprus ), Ugarit and Alalakh were destroyed. Hattusa , the Hittite capital, was completely destroyed. Following this collapse of large cities and the Hittite state, the Early Iron Age in northern Mesopotamia saw
738-597: The 13th-century Hittite imperial monuments to the Early Iron Age Syro-Hittite inscriptions of Karkemish, Melid, Aleppo and elsewhere. Luwian hieroglyphs were chosen by many of the Syro-Hittite regional kingdoms for their monumental inscriptions, which often appear in bi- or tri-lingual inscriptions with Aramaic , Phoenician or Akkadian versions. The Early Iron Age in Northern Mesopotamia also saw
779-603: The 16th century, boxwood was used to create intricate decorative carvings, including intricate rosary prayer beads . As of 2016, the largest collection of these carvings is at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. High quality wooden spoons have usually been carved from box, with beech being the usual cheaper substitute. Due to its high density, resistance to chipping, and relatively low cost, boxwood has been used to make parts for various stringed instruments since antiquity. It
820-513: The Early Iron Age, proving an uninterrupted continuity between the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age at those sites. Aside from literary evidence from inscriptions, the uninterrupted cultural continuity of Post-Hittite states in the region, during the transitional period between the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age, is now further confirmed by recent archaeological work at the Temple of
861-733: The Elder Siamun Psusennes II Twenty-third Dynasty of Egypt Harsiese A Takelot II Pedubast I Shoshenq VI Osorkon III Takelot III Rudamun Menkheperre Ini Twenty-fourth Dynasty of Egypt Tefnakht Bakenranef ( Sargonid dynasty ) Tiglath-Pileser Shalmaneser Marduk-apla-iddina II Sargon Sennacherib Marduk-zakir-shumi II Marduk-apla-iddina II Bel-ibni Ashur-nadin-shumi Nergal-ushezib Mushezib-Marduk Esarhaddon Ashurbanipal Ashur-etil-ilani Sinsharishkun Sin-shumu-lishir Ashur-uballit II Boxwood (genus) About 70 species; see text Buxus
SECTION 20
#1732845343804902-470: The Eurasian section. Box plants are commonly grown as hedges and for topiary . In Britain and mainland Europe, box is subject to damage from caterpillars of Cydalima perspectalis which can devastate a box hedge within a short time. This is a recently introduced species first noticed in Europe in 2007 and in the UK in 2008 but spreading. There were 3 UK reports of infestation in 2011, 20 in 2014 and 150 in
943-782: The Storm God on the citadel of Aleppo , and Ain Dara temple , where the Late Bronze Age temple buildings continue into the Iron Age without hiatus, with repeated periods of construction in the Early Iron Age. The Syro–Hittite states may be divided into two groups: a northern group where Hittite rulers remained in power, and a southern group where Aramaeans came to rule from about 1000 BCE. These states were highly decentralised structures; some appear to have been only loose confederations of sub-kingdoms. The northern group includes: The southern group includes: Luwian monumental inscriptions in Anatolian hieroglyphs continue almost uninterrupted from
984-442: The best available materials for measurement scales and technical drawing rulers. Alternative materials of the era were ivory , paper, and metal. Disadvantages of ivory included that it would slightly shrink over time, the size and shape of blanks was limited by that of the tusk, and supply was limited. Paper was soft, difficult to use, and did not last long. Metal marked the surface it was being used on and increased expense. Ebony
1025-458: The earlier Bronze Age settlement. The majority of the tablets were found in the inner sanctum of a temple (Building XVI) in the sacred precinct . Most of the tablets are Iqqur Ipuš (a menologium ), but they include a copy of the succession treaty of Esarhaddon . A lecture by James Osborne, on "The Syro-Anatolian City States: A Neglected Iron Age Culture" addresses aspects of the site. The site consists of an upper mound of about 20 hectares and
1066-517: The early Iron Age II bit-hilanis . In August 2012, a team from the University of Toronto announced they had uncovered the head and torso of a human figure, intact to just above its waist. The remains of the figure stand approximately 1.5 meters in height, suggesting a total height of 3.5 to 4 meters. The figure is bearded with eyes made of black and white stone. The figure's hair has been styled in an elaborate series of curls arranged in rows. The arms of
1107-618: The end of the last phase of EBA. This pottery is believed to be influenced by the Kura-Araxes culture , arriving into this area around 3000 BC. In the Amuq Plain, Tell Tayinat was the largest settlement in the EBIVB. The structural remains from Tell Tayinat have been from the Early Bronze IVB period (Phase J). Among the finds are 17 anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figurines in a style typical of
1148-484: The figure extend forward from the elbow. Each arm has two arm bracelets adorned with lion heads. The figure's left hand holds a shaft of wheat and its right hand holds a spear. The figure's chest is adorned with a crescent-shaped pectoral. A lengthy carved, raised relief inscription in Hieroglyphic Luwian runs across the figure's back. The inscription records the accomplishments and campaigns of King Suppiluliuma. He
1189-459: The first half of 2015. Owing to its fine grain it is a good wood for fine wood carving , although this is limited by the small sizes available. It is also resistant to splitting and chipping, and thus useful for decorative or storage boxes. Traditional Japanese boxwood combs are called Tsuge Gushi and have been in production since the Heian Period . As a timber or wood for carving it
1230-458: The king's brother's daughter with a rich dowry, a large female monkey and ducks" from the ruler Labarna. At a later campaign the Assyrians forced its king Tutammu to submit according to an inscription of king Tiglath-pileser III (745–727 BC). Other documents indicate Assyrian control lasted until the reign of Ashurbanipal (669–631 BC). A worn stone with cuneiform writing from the top of the mound
1271-580: The most contested issues within the field is related to the choice of proper terms for this group of states. On that issue, scholars are divided into several categories. Some prefer terms that are derived from endonymic (native) names for Luwians and Arameans , thus using terms like Luwian-Aramean or Aramean-Luwian . Others prefer to use terms that are derived from various exonymic (foreign) names, thus proposing designations like Syrian-Anatolian or Syro-Anatolian , based on Greek term Anatolia , combined with anachronistic application of Syrian labels, in
Tell Tayinat - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-443: The neighbouring Assyria , inscribed in a specific form that renders as Syria , thus providing additional (and in the same time the oldest) evidence for the dominant scholarly view on the origins and primary meanings of the term Syria , that originated as an apheretic form of the term Assyria, and was redefined much later, by ancient Greeks, who introduced a territorial distinction between two names, and started to use term Syria as
1353-523: The region at that time. Also found were two wheels, copper alloy metal fragments, spindle whorls and loom weights . Notable finds were a cylinder seal and two clay sealings . During the Iron Age II , this is thought likely to be the site of ancient Kinalua, the capital of one of the Neo-Hittite / Aramean city-kingdoms of Walistin (Aramaic) or Palistin (neo-Hittite), of which a follow-up kingdom
1394-603: The remains measuring in at 3 to 6 meters in depth. Archaeological excavation at the tell has indicated, in conjunction with ancient written sources, that the site was a major urban centre in two separate phases, during the Early Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. Red-black burnished ware ( Khirbet Kerak ware) was found in Phases H and I, corresponding to the Early Dynastic period in Mesopotamia. This type of pottery diminishes through
1435-473: The sense that was introduced much later, by ancient Greeks, as their designation for Arameans and their land ( Aram ). Such preference for foreign terms, advocated by some western scholars, is viewed as being culturally biased , and thus insensitive towards native (endonymic) terminology. Some scholars still use older terms, like Syro-Hittite and Neo-Hittite , but those terms have several additional meanings in scholarly literature. More precise term Post-Hittite
1476-619: The site by the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute from 1935 to 1938, led by Robert Braidwood . From 1999 to 2002, the Oriental Institute returned to the site, as part of the Tayinat Archaeological Project, to conduct mapping and surveying and to examine the original excavations. New excavations at the site were begun by a team from the University of Toronto in 2004, after a survey in 2003. Continued excavations in
1517-465: The site was a temple reminiscent in plan to Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem as described in the Hebrew Bible ( Old Testament of Christianity ). The Oriental Institute campaigns (1935–38) brought to light several large palaces in the style known as bit-hilani . A wood sample from a bit-hilani burned in c. 675 BC was carbon-dated to 2625 +/- 50 years BP . The 2005 excavations exposed part of one of
1558-448: The summer of 2005 exposed more of the Iron Age temple as well as part of one of the early Iron Age II bit-hilanis . A significant amount of earlier Iron Age I material was also uncovered as well as small amounts of Early Bronze Age material. Excavations have continued now for a total of 13 seasons, through 2016. Findings have included a significant Iron Age temple, a number of 1st millennium BC cuneiform tablets, and initial structures from
1599-526: Was another dense and stable wood prized for drawing instruments but typically only if scales were not necessary; boxwood's light color contrasted much better with scales. Devices made of boxwood included set squares , scale rulers, yardsticks , folding rulers, slide rules , Marquois scales , T-squares, protractors , and a wide range of other measuring, metering, and straight-edge devices and tools, as well as general functional items such as combs , weaving shuttles , etc. A boxwood rule generally refers to
1640-530: Was the wife – or possibly mother – of Taita, the dynastic founder of ancient Tayinat. But it's also possible that the statue represents the wife of King Suppiluliuma. Archaeologist Timothy Harrison raised the possibility that women played quite a prominent role in the political and religious lives of these early Iron Age communities. Neo-Hittite The states called Neo-Hittite , Syro-Hittite (in older literature), or Luwian-Aramean (in modern scholarly works) were Luwian and Aramean regional polities of
1681-401: Was turned into the local museum by a farmer who had used it as a paving stone. Combined with 4 fragments found during the 1930 excavation it turned out to be part of a stele of Sargon II (722–705 BC). The city had a citadel placed at a higher elevation, connected to the lower city by a monumental gate complex (see Site layout ). One of the key finds of the Oriental Institute (1935–38) made at