New details in the tragic end of one of the world’s earliest cities as well as clues about how urban life may have begun there were revealed in a recent excavation in northeastern Syria that was conducted by the University of Chicago and the Syrian Department of Antiquities.

“The attack must have been swift and intense. Buildings collapsed, burning out of control, burying everything in them under vast pile of rubble,” said Clemens Reichel, the American co-director of the Syrian-American Archaeological Expedition to Hamoukar. Reichel, a Research Associate at the University’s Oriental Institute, added that the assault probably left the residents destitute as they buried their dead in the ruins of the city.

Reichel made that assessment of the battle that destroyed Hamoukar about 3500 B.C. after an excavation was conducted in September and October at the site near the Iraqi border. The team uncovered further evidence of the accomplishments of the inhabitants among the remains of the walled city dating to the fourth millennium B.C. READ MORE

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		Seal, bone, in shape of reclining animal, probably sheep; seal design shows tweo stylized horned goats; from Area B, date: ca. 3,500 B.C.   [Back to top]

		Clay sealing with impression of large, abstract seal; from Area B, date: ca. 3,500 B.C.   [Back to top]

		Arrowhead, obsidian, from Area B; date: ca. 3,500 B.C.   [Back to top]

		Remains of body, possibly war casualty, found in a burial pit dug into ruins of destroyed buildings in Area B; date: 3,500 B.C.   [Back to top]

		Remains of body found in burial pit dug into ruins of destroyed buildings in Area B, found in association with sling bullet (visible on right side) date: 3,500 B.C.   [Back to top]

		Clay sealing with impression of seal depicting two dancers; from Area B, date: ca. 3,500 B.C.   [Back to top]

		Clemens Reichel (American co-director, left) and Salam al-Kuntar (Syrian co-director, right)   [Back to top]

		Area B overview over Late Chalcolithic architecture destroyed by warfare; date: ca. 3,500 B.C. (composite photo)   [Back to top]

		Three beads, perforated, made of obsidian; from Southern Extension; date: ca. 4,200 B.C.   [Back to top]

		Three views of obsidian core; grooves indicate zones of blade-napping; from Southern Extension; date: ca. 4,200 B.C.   [Back to top]

		Area B: recycling pit for clay in floor of room, containing sealing clay as well as several sling bullets; date: ca. 3,500 B.C.   [Back to top]

		Area B: close-up of sling bullets found in recycling pit; date: ca. 3,500 B.C.   [Back to top]

		Sample of three sling bullets, clay, found in collapse of burnt buildngs in Area B; date: ca. 3,500 B.C.   [Back to top]

		Stamp seal, black stone, showing seal scene with two dancers holding hands. Right side shows modern impression. From Southern Extension; date: ca. 4,200 B.C.   [Back to top]