Tell Kazel-Simyra: A Contribution to a Relative Chronological History in the Eastern

Mediterranean during the Late Bronze Age

Author(s): Leila Badre
Source: Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, No. 343 (Aug., 2006), pp. 65-95
Published by: The American Schools of Oriental Research
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25066965
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 Tell Kazel-Simyra: A Contribution to a
Relative Chronological History in the
Eastern Mediterranean during the
Late Bronze Age
Leila Badre

Archaeological Museum
P.O. Box 236-9
American University of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon
badre @aub.edu.lb

The archaeological results of 18 excavation campaigns at Tell Kazel have shed con
siderable light on relations between the ancient city of Sumur/Simyra and the eastern
Mediterranean. The vast number of Cypriot imports from the late 14th until the begin

ning of the 12th century B.c. at Tell Kazel shows a significantquantitative contrast with
other sites in the Horns gap. Both Cypriot and Mycenaean pottery tend to disappear

before the major destruction of the site during the transitional LB Il/Iron I phase. It
was during this same phase that the imported pottery was replaced by locally made
Mycenaean ceramics as well as by two new wares: Handmade Burnished Ware and

Grey Ware.

THE SITE the el-Amarna tablets, Assyrian texts, and classical

authors. This identification became the subject of a
Tell Kazel is situated on the Syrian coast, 3.5 lengthy discussion started by M. Dunand (Dunand
km from the shore, 8 km north of Nahr-al and Saliby 1957) and later extensively developed by
Kabir al-Ganubi (ancient Eleutheros), and 18 H. Klengel (1984).
km south of Tartous. It overlooks the al-Abrash River The preliminary reports of these early excavations
to the south. an account of the sequence
provide chronological
Thetell has an oval shape witha surface of 350 of the site from the Hellenistic period back to the
x 325 m at its base and 200 x 200 m at its top. Its Middle Bronze Age, and indicate that the Persian
height reaches 25 m above the levelof the surround and Late Bronze periods were the most important at
ing Akkar Plain. It has a flat top and sharp edges the site. The Department of Antiquities in Syria has
which mark the presence of fortifications around the not yet published a full report of these excavations.
city. Two depressions in the center of the west and After a lapse of 23 years, a joint expedition from
south sides indicate the existence of two correspond the Syrian Department of Antiquities and the Mu
ing city gates with sloping approaches leading up to seum of the American University of Beirut (AUB)
them. resumed work at Tell Kazel in 1985. Starting with
Tell Kazel was
first surveyed in 1956 and sub the second season, the entire concession to the site
sequently in 1960-1962
excavated by M. Dunand, was granted to the American University of Beirut
A. Bounni, and N. Saliby (Dunand and Saliby 1957; Museum under the directorship of Leila Badre.
Dunand, Bounni, and Saliby 1964: 3-12) (fig. 1). In addition to the goal of investigating further
Their objective was to identify the site with Sumur or the identification of Tell Kazel?either with Simyra
Simyra, whose name appears many times in ancient or with another, unknown ancient city?there were
texts including Genesis, the Annals of Thutmosis III, other objectives that led the AUB Museum team to

65
 66 LEILA BADRE BASOR 343

Alalakh
rAntakya
Aleppo
Al-Mina

1P&
Ebla.
Rasal-BassitrV/)v^

Ugarit]
IbnHanh cV
Latakial
Apamea
Jable
Tell Soukas
Paltos
Banyas

Tartous
Arwad#
cAmrit<

Tabet el- Hammam

T.Simirian
A
Byblos
-^Deir ?J,
Djimasse eMJjar
H?midiy
Beirut
?rab#
elChat?

Damascus <

0 1

Fig. 1. Location of Tell Kazel on the Mediterranean coast, and its region (inset).
 2006 TELLKAZEL-SIMYRA 67

consider the reexcavation of this site. Tell Kazel Area IV, which lies to the west side of it (fig. 2) (cf.
with Tell cArqa and Tell Gamus) is one of the Badre and Gubel 1999-2000 and Capet 2003).
(along
three largest sites of the Akkar Plain and the Horns
gap which stretches toward the sea (Thalmann and LATE BRONZE AGE II
al-Maqdissi 1989: 98). Its geographical location on
the main passage between the Mediterranean coast
The Late Bronze Age II inArea IV includes Level
and inland Syria, at the unique break point between 6 with its two superposed floors as well as the lower
the two long mountain chains of Mount Lebanon and floor of Level 5. In Area II, the lowest level reached
Jabal al-Ansariyeh, gives it a strategic role in control so far is Level 6 which corresponds stratigraphically
ling access to this major regional trade route. More to the Level 5-lower floor of Area IV. The correla
over, surveys of the many tells on the Akkar Plain tion between the levels in Areas II and IV are sum
allowed Thalmann and al-Maqdissi to conclude that in Table 1 (Capet 2003: 117).
marized
these settlements were all deserted at the end of the
Late Bronze Age in favor of Tell Kazel (see above).
Area IV: Level 6
Their conclusion added considerable weight to
the tell's identification with Sumur, stronghold of the
Area IV is the area of the Temple complex which
former kingdom of Amurru and counterpart in the
to date has yielded three (and possibly four) super
northern Akkar to the site of Tell cArqa in the south
ern half of these coastal plains. posed celia (fig. 3), all oriented east-west.
The celia of Temple 6 is the smallest of the
Dunand described significant Iron Age levels that
three (9.50 m in length; its width has not yet been
were brought to light in the early excavation seasons
at Tell Kazel. With the exception of the excavations established), but it is the richest in terms of material
finds. It presents the characteristic features of the
at Al-Mina, Ras al-Bassit, Ras Ibn Hani, and Tell
an entrance from the west
Sukas, the Iron Age period, which is present on the Langbau-type temple:
with a threshold and two offering tables on the east
Syrian coast, is rich in historical documents but poor
ern end, preceded by two stone bases of circular col
in the results of archaeological investigations. The
to fill in the in our of the umns, along with a mudbrick bench on the lateral
opportunity gap knowledge
side.
transitional period between the Late Bronze Age and
to the invasion Level 6 included two superposed floor layers in
the Iron Age, the time corresponding
side the celia and outside to the north of it in the rect
of the "Sea Peoples," was another important factor in
our selection of Tell Kazel. angular courtyard (Badre and Gubel 1999-2000:139).
The two floor layers of Level 6 belong to the begin
Having pointed out the main objectives of the re
newed excavation, it is appropriate now to analyze ning of the LB II period. They yielded a large and
varied assortment of material culture items, the ma
some conclusions drawn from our 18 excavation cam
jority of which were concentrated on the lower floor
paigns. It is important to note that the identification
of the courtyard. The finds included locally made
of Tell Kazel with Sumur has not yet been estab
and imported pottery vessels of different sizes and
lished by any inscription found on the site. It is, how
functions, metal objects, stone items, cylinder seals,
ever, quite evident that Tell Kazel is to be equated
and luxury items such as frit and glass beads as well
with Sumur on the basis of its strategic situation in
as faience objects (Badre and Gubel 1999-2000: 139
the Horns gap and its very rich Late Bronze and Iron
69). The imported material reflects a wealthy city that
I and II levels, the period when Sumur played a dom
maintained commercial relations with the eastern
inant role in Amurru.
Mediterranean. It is this category of imported items
This article will discuss the pottery of the Late
that will form the bulk of the present study.
Bronze Age II and the transitional Late Bronze-Iron
Age period at Tell Kazel, with a particular emphasis
on the appearance of the Handmade Burnished Ware The Cypriot Imported Pottery:
and the Grey Ware and their considerable importance Area IV, Level 6, Upper and Lower Floors
for establishing a relative chronology in coastal Syria.
The pottery belonging to these two periods was The strong relations between Tell Kazel and Cy
found in two main sectors at Tell Kazel: Area
II, prus are reflected in the very large concentration of
which occupies the southeastern part of the site, and Cypriot pottery found in Level 6. Barbara Vitale is
 68 LEILA BADRE BASOR 343

AF AG AH AI

EFGHI JKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAAAB

Tell Kazel
Contourmap &grid plan (Voronine 1960,
implemented by R.Yassin)
J Modern village in 1955
I...::'.

D.GAM. Excavations (1956-1961)

A.U.B.Excavations (1985-2001)

Fig. 2. Grid plan.

2006 TELL KAZEL-SIMYRA 69

Table 1. Correlation between the Levels in Areas II and IV

Dates Area II Area IV

LB II early Not yet excavated Level 6

LB II late Level 6 lower floor Level 5 lower floor
Abandonment Abandonment
Transitional LB-Iron Level 6 upper floor Level 5 upper floor

Destruction by fire Destruction by fire

Iron I Level 5 Levels 4-3
Destruction by fire Destruction by fire

Fig. 3. Temple, Area IV, Levels 3-7.

preparing a detailed analysis of this imported Cyp in minutequantities (Barbara Vitale, personal com
riot material for publication. munication). Quantities of Cypriot White Slip IIWare
The material presented below gives but a general sherds, popularly called '''milk bowls," were collected
representative picture of the items that were im in the Temple complex, mostly in the courtyard but
ported to Tell Kazel. This presentation takes into also some in the celia. This WS II bowl type forms
consideration the qualitative rather than the quanti the largest category in the Cypriot pottery repertoire
tative distribution of the Cypriot material: a selec (35% of the Late Bronze Cypriot pottery in terms
tion of typological samples of this imported pottery of sherd count, according to Vitale). It is handmade
has been made in order to set the chronological and hard-fired and has an average diameter between
background for the major discovery of the Hand 12 and 20 cm. These bowls have a globular shape,
made Burnished Ware and the Grey Ware. a rounded base, and a single wishbone handle. The
walls of the bowl are very thin and have a thick slip
White Slip Ware (fig. 4). The White Slip WS I generally of a light cream color. They are decorated
Ware and the transitional WS IIA sherds were found on the exterior with a brown painted lattice frieze on
70 LEILA BADRE BASOR 343

6 7

Fig. 4. White Slip Ware (1-4) and Monochrome Ware (5-7) from Area IV, Level 6. Scale: 1/3.75.
 2006 TELL KAZEL-SIMYRA 71

the rim and vertical ladder bands hanging from the Monochrome Ware (fig. 4). A significant num
upper frieze. Different combinations of bands and ber of Monochrome Ware fragments and complete
motifs are attested on the Tell Kazel specimens?for profiles (fig. 4:5-7) were also found in the celia of the
example, temple. They come from small globular bowls with
convex bases and flat-sectioned wishbone handles.
Simple horizontal lattice bands and dotted rim. They are covered with a light brown slip. This cate
Hanging rows of lozenges or dots. They can be gory, according to Vitale, represents about 13 percent
simple or cross-hatched, framed or free style (fig. of the Cypriot fragments.
4:3-4). Similar Cypriot milk bowls were found in
ancient Beirut (cf. Badre 1998: 75, fig. 1:10) and White Shaved Ware (fig. 6). The White Shaved
at Ugarit in Tombs T. 81 (Schaeffer 1978: 284, fig. Ware sherds appear in about the same percentage as
30:20), T. 4253, and T. 35 (Yon 2001: 119, figs. that of theMonochrome Ware (i.e., 13%). However,
2J, 4). a larger number of complete Cypriot White Shaved
juglets was found among the ex-votos in the court
Base Ring Ware (fig. 5). A large number of yard of the Temple (Badre and Gubel 1999-2000: fig.
Base Ring Ware (BR) fragments were found in Level 24, CD ROM pis. 1-2). The great majority of them
6 of the Temple complex. They are very close in were found on the lower floor of Level 6 (fig. 6:1
terms of the percentage of sherds (32% of the Late 9). They have pinched rims and pointed bases. The
Cypriot pottery) to the White Slip category (35%). most interesting discovery was that of some bronze
The BR ware is hard-fired to a nearly metallic-like sheet figurines which were discovered set inside these
clay. Its color varies from metallic gray to brown and White Shaved juglets, either singly or in pairs (see
is covered with a dark or red/orange slip. This cate below). Other, similar bronze figurines found scat
gory displays the widest variety of forms: tered around the broken White Shaved juglets prob
ably were originally associated with these juglets.
The bowls are characterized by their high carina A series of similar juglets with pinched rims but
tion and their high wishbone handle (fig. 5:15). with flat bases (fig. 6:10-14) correspond most prob
The juglet is the most widely represented shape in ably to the Plain White Wheel Made IWare of ?s
this ware. There are a few plain lustrous juglets of tr?m's typology (Astr?m 1972: fig. 67:1). Their ware
Base Ring IWare, with a gray or light brown slip is coarser than that of theWhite Shaved juglets: it is
(fig. 5:1,10; no. 10 differs from all other juglets by gritty and pinky buff/yellow.
its trefoil rim and its higher handle starting from
the rim). The majority of the Base Ring IIWare Red Lustrous Wheel-Made Ware (fig. 5:14). A
juglets have the usual piriform bodies, ring bases, complete spindle bottle, along with some fragmen
and long, tapering necks. They are painted over tary sherds of orange lustrous ware, belong to the
with groups of parallel horizontal, oblique, and Red Lustrous Ware type, which is another negligible
crossing lines (fig. 5:2-8). Another Base Ring II category in terms of the percentage of sherds. The
Ware juglet, with a fusiform body, imitates the complete bottle has a conical shape, a handle from
"spindle bottle" (fig. 5:11). This juglet is painted the neck to the shoulder, and a ring base that has an
with regular, vertical, white lines crossed at right incised potmark on its exterior.
angles with groups of three horizontal lines. A
similar juglet was found at Ugarit (Schaeffer 1978: Bucchero Ware (fig. 5:13). A small, complete
290, fig. 32:3). A lentoid flask of Base Ring II juglet of Cypriot Bucchero Ware (LC IIB) was found
Ware (fig. 5:9) with a handle from mid-neck to among the temple offerings. It is handmade, with ver
mid-body is painted in white with encircling lines tical, applied ribbing on the body (cf. Astr?m 1972:
on the neck and with groups of four or six par 425, fig. 78:1). Only a very few sherds of this type
allel lines crossing one another (cf. Astr?m have been found.
1972: fig. 53:13).
An exceptional jug with a straight neck (fig. 5:12) Area
Mycenaean Imported Pottery: IV, Level 6,
is covered with a red slip. It is burnished vertically and Lower Floors
Upper
on the neck and horizontally on the globular body.
This type may be a local imitation of the Cypriot The imported Mycenaean pottery found at Tell
Base Ring Ware jugs. Kazel is the subject of a thorough study undertaken
72 LEILA BADRE BASOR 343

=#
(&

10 13
12

15 14
Fig. 5. Base Ring Ware juglets from Area IV, Level 6, lower floor (1-12) and BR bowl (15); Bucchero Ware (13);
and Syrian bottle (14). Scale: 1/3.75.
2006 TELL KAZEL-SIMYRA 73

Fig. 6. White Shaved juglets fromArea IV,Level 6: lower floor (1-14); upper floor (15). Scale: 1/3.75.
 74 LEILA BADRE
by Reinhard Jung (Jung in press a). The Mycenaean
collection is a very rich and promising one in terms
of typological and chronological information. Ac
cording to Jung, this Mycenaean collection "makes
Tell Kazel one of the richest sites for Mycenean pot
tery finds in the Near East?comparable in find den
sity to Sarepta and Tell Abu Hawam." The collection
includes a wide spectrum of types. A few represen
tative specimens are described below to illustrate the
main types.
The lower floor of Level 6 in the Temple complex
has yielded the following Mycenaean types:
A small,almost complete piriform amphoriskos
(fig. 7:3) with three horizontal handles. It is painted
in black with large and thin horizontal bands as
well as oblique lines over the shoulder. A close par
allel is from Mycenaean Nauplion and dated
LH IIIA Late (1325-1300 B.c.) (Mountjoy 1986:
70, fig. 81:1). Another parallel was found at Ugarit
(Hirschfeld 2000: 80, cat. no. 23).
An upper part of a kylix (fig. 7:5), which is made
in very fine clay with a self-same slip and is highly
burnished. It is decorated with motifs of fish and
hybrid flowers, painted in red/orange to brown.
Jung believes that the fish motif on this vessel
shape is unique, and he dates the kylix in combi
nation with the hybrid flower motif between LH
IIIA Late and LH IIIB Early (cf. Jung in press a).
A conical rhyton (fig. 7:1) with painted motifs of
bivalve chains and octopuses. Jung has noted that
this combination of motifs is unique and has no
Aegean parallels. The rhyton is dated by the con
text of its discovery with the rest of the pottery
from Level 6 to LH IIIA Late.
A shallow bowl with strap handles. It is decorated
with painted horizontal bands (fig. 7:2). Jung indi
cates that comparable linear bowls are attested
since LH IIIB Early (Jung in press a and b). He
cites two parallels: one from Mycenae (French
1965: 177, fig. 7:26) and another one from Tiryns
(Schonfeld 1988: 155, Tab. 1:59). Both parallels
are dated to LH IIIB Early, theMycenaean complex
having been redated from LH IIIA Late to LH IIIB
Early on the basis of the stratigraphy at Tiryns.
The Upper Floor of Level 6 in the
Temple Complex
The continuity of use of the two consecutive floors
of Level 6 was clearly described in the third prelim
BASOR 343
inary report on the Tell Kazel excavations (Badre and
Gubel 1999-2000: 145). The stratigraphy excludes
the possibility of a period of abandonment between
the two levels.
The upper floor yielded fewer Mycenaean objects
than the lower one. Among them are the following:
A zoomorphic rhyton (fig. 7:6) in the shape of an
animal's head (possibly a boar). It is of buff clay
with a light slip and is highly polished, decorated
all over with the hybrid unvoluted flower motif,
painted in deep red/orange. The ears are pinched
out in semicircles, and the large oval eyes are in
relief and painted over in the same color. An al
most identical Mycenaean rhyton with a more
ovoid body, but with similar features and decora
tion, was found "near a tomb" in the lower eastern
to city at Ugarit (Schaeffer 1949: 222-23; Yon 1997:
160, fig. 37). It is dated to LH IIIA-IIIB Early.
A kylix (fig. 7:4) with a row of vertical whorl
shells. Jung indicates that both its shape and motif
suggest a date between LH IIIB Early and IIIB
Middle (Jung in press a and b).
The Levantine Bronze Sheet Figurines (fig. 8).
We noted above the very interesting discovery of
some bronze flat sheet figurines which were found in
side theWhite Shaved juglets (single or in pairs), and
nearby broken ones, probably associated with these
latter ones. This group of bronze sheet figurines in
cludes 12 figurines with schematized bodies that are
peg-shaped
or
arrowhead-shaped. Their anatomical
features are barely distinguishable: breasts and navel
are usually indicated in the repouss? technique. One
figurine has a suspension loop in the center (fig. 8:5).
Six of them have rounded heads, while five others
have a high triangular headdress which recalls those
worn by several sheetmetal specimens of Palestinian
origin found at Hazor, Gezer, Megiddo, and Tell el
cAjjul (Negbi 1976: 97). Similar sheet idols, in silver
or in bronze, were found in the Late Bronze Age
temple at Kamid el-Loz (Hachmann 1980: pis. 15
16). It is possible that the rounded-headdress figu
rines represent female ex-votos, while the elongated
ones represent male figurines. Our knowledge of
terracotta figurines (Badre 1980: 123: e) makes this
hypothesis quite possible. Two pairs of the two types
(the rounded headdress and the high headdress) of
such figurines were found inside a juglet; in this
situation they could represent a couple. Moreover,
the almost equal distribution of "male" and "female"
2006 TELL KAZEL-SIMYRA 75

w'm

I
Q

Fig. 7. Mycenaean pottery from Area IV, Level 6. Scale: 1/3.75.

76 LEILA BADRE BASOR 343

*&?

\l *' ".'?ir

^':
'*",' : *i*i

:.v*3

* #3

k-M

?i

V 12

Fig. 8. Bronze sheet figurines from Area IV, Level 6. Scale: 1/1.
 2006 TELL KAZEL-SIMYRA 77

bronze sheet figurines may indicate that male-fe A White Slip II bowl (fig. 9:1), found in the east
male couples were placed inside the juglets, but un ern room of the temple celia. It belongs to the sim
fortunately these figurines were not all found within ple, late, parallel line style. It is decorated with a
the juglets. set of four parallel lines: two outer thicker lines
The presence of these bronze sheet figurines at and two inner thinner lines. They are painted
Tell Kazel raises the question of their origin: Pales around the exterior of the rim from which other
tinian, local, or local imitation of Palestinian. This sets are descending.
question is complicated further by their association Another White Slip II "milk bowl" (fig. 9:2) with
with the White Shaved juglets, which in turn may an elaborate painted design. It has an unusual
raise the question as to their own origin: Cypriot or ledge handle with two small perforations. The
local imitation. Pending the results of the chemical painted decoration consists of two parallel, hor
analyses, we would conditionally suggest that the as izontal rows of dots around the interior of the
sociation of both juglets and bronze sheet figurines is rim and a similar row on the exterior. Underneath
unique to Tell Kazel. is a cross-hatched horizontal band. Descending
With this information at hand, and pending the from this band is a vertical row of dotted lozenges
completion of the detailed study of the imported ma enclosed on each side by a straight, vertical line
terial, we have tentatively related the two phases of which in turn is framed by a vertical row of dots.
Level 6 as follows: the lower phase to the Amarna Another free row of continuous dotted lozenges is
period (Sumur is mentioned in the Amarna tablets: parallel to the first one. A similar bowl was found
Briquel-Chatonnet in Badre et al. 1994: 354), and the at Ugarit (Schaeffer 1978: 282, fig. 30:3). Mer
upper phase to the beginning of the Hittite period of rillees ascribes a similar bowl from Thera Akrotiri
Amurru. toWS I (Merrillees 2001: 93, figs. 3-4), and Kara
georghis attributes another parallel from Palaepa
Area IV: Level 5 phos Teratsoudhia to LC IB (Karageorghis 1990:
42, 44, pi. 33:B. 13, B. 52). However, the speci
Level 5 in Area IV was
built directly the over men from Tell Kazel definitely dates from LB II,
destruction layer of Level 6. The temple of Level 5 and it could therefore belong to a transitional White
consists of a large rectangular celia (16.5 x 7.5 m) Slip I?II type.
surrounded by architectural annexes on both its
northern and southern sides, while the southwestern A local imitation (?) of a shaved juglet (Badre and
side is bordered by a street composed of alternating Gubel 1999-2000:172, fig. 31:a) with a flat bronze
clay and ashy layers. The temple of Level 5 has the object (Badre and Gubel 1999-2000: fig. 31:o) was
best-preserved celia with monumental features: large at one end and was set inside the
pointed (figurine ?)
walls (average width of 1.35 m) of stone substruc
juglet.
tures, and mudbrick superstructures with ashlar stones
at the angles. It has two occupation phases, indicated
two same
The Mycenaean Imported Pottery:
by superimposed floors for the architecture.
Area IV, Level 5, Lower Floor

The Cypriot Imported Pottery:

Area IV, Level 5, Lower Floor
The lower occupation points to a continuation of
external relations with theWest, as the following se
lected examples make clear. It yielded a large amount
of Cypriot pottery, the greatest majority of which is
fragmentary and residual. This pottery presents a simi
lar repertoire of Cypriot ware types as was found in
the upper phase of Level 6, which yielded a larger
quantity of Cypriot pottery except for the case of
White Slip ware. Below are a few complete or nearly
complete profiles:
Below are some representative Mycenaean-type
specimens from Tell Kazel. They resemble the vari
ety found at other Levantine sites and especially
those found at Ras Shamra/Ugarit.
Several fragments of an amphoroid krater deco
rated with a chariot scene (fig. 10:6). The lower
part of the chariot is oriented from left to right. The
chariot wheel shows four spokes. Directly above
the wheel is the chariot box (?) filled with a row
of horizontal hatches. The shape of the krater in
dicates a date from the LH IIIB (Early-Middle ?).
78 LEILA BADRE BASOR 343

m[z-::::f F

Fig. 9. Cypriote White Slip II from Area IV, Level 5-Lower.

Scale: 1/3.

This type of krater with chariots is widely repre A chalice with a series of standing human figures
sented in the eastern Mediterranean, where several (fig. 10:1) and a stem painted with large horizontal
examples were found on the Syrian coast, mainly bands and thin lines. A similar decorative motif
at Ugarit (Schaeffer 1949: 214-17, pi. 35) and in of standing figures is found on aMycenaean con
Palestine (e.g., at Tel Dan, Beth Shemesh, Ashdod, ical rhyton from Ugarit (Schaeffer 1978: 310, fig.
and Tell Abu Hawam), and belong to the LH IIIB 1 37:1). Jung indicates that the style of these human
period. figures is typical of LH IIIB Early and Middle
A krater (fig. 10:5) of open shape with the base and (Jung in press b).
handles missing. The main body is decorated with A conical rhyton painted with hybrid flowers (fig.
an octopus motif. This octopus motif is frequently 10:2-3) belongs to LH IIIB1 (Mountjoy 1986:
found on various Mycenaean shapes at Ugarit: on 109:1).
a large stirrup jar in Tomb 2698 from the end of LH A stirrup jar (fig. 10:4) with missing spouts and
IIIB (Schaeffer 1978: 344, fig. 53:6) and on a large handles. The upper part is squat with a sloping
krater (Schaeffer 1978: 346, fig. 54:2). Horizontal shoulder, and the lower part is conical with a ring
bands are painted on the interior and exterior of the base. The body is decorated with wide horizontal
rim. According to Jung, this kind of rim decoration bands, thin lines, and a horizontal band of chev
is not attested before LH IIIB Middle and contin rons, all painted in red. Jung indicates that this
ued to be produced in LH IIIB Developed and Late type was not produced before LH IIIB Middle
(Jung in press a and b). (Jung in press a and b).
2006 TELL KAZEL-SIMYRA 79

?=*

m~)
Fig. 10. Mycenaean pottery from Area IV, Level 5-Lower. Scale: 1/3.75 except no. 6: 1/7.5.
 80 LEILA BADRE BASOR 343

A shallow cup (fig. 10:7) with a painted spiral de

found at the entrance of the celia. For a par
sign,
allel, cf. Mountjoy 1986: fig. 136:1, from LH IIIB
Early Mycenae.
The lower occupation phase of Level 5 ended
with an abandonment, leaving few material remains,
which made its dating practically impossible.

Area II: Level 6

In its earliest Level 6 (corresponding to Temple

Level 5), Area II, which occupies the southeastern
part of Tell Kazel (fig. 2), represents the residential
sector of the city. It consists of a large building com
plex, Building II.

Building II

Building II is a large complex formed by what

could be considered a single, very large building or
a group of three parallel buildings consisting of a
large rectangular hall to the north, bordered on the
east and south sides square rooms. These are con
by
nected narrow passages.
by

Building II is characterized by its luxurious archi

tectural features: mudbrick walls coated with plaster
and the surface entirely encrusted with shells. Its
floor is paved with the same type of shells, as it is at
tested in several rooms of Building II (cf. Capet Fig. 11. Shell floor from Area II, Level 6.
2003: figs. 13, 25). Within this floor was set stand
ing a large biconical krater (fig. 11). This particular
shell decoration on the walls is unique in the Levant,
while the shell paving on the floor is known from
tribution of the Cypriot and Mycenaean pottery, with
no statistical data.
Stratum VIIB in the palace of Megiddo (Loud 1948:
figs. 50, 52).
The Cypriot Imported Pottery:
Area II, Level 6-Lower
Level 6, Lower Phase
Lower Phase of Level 5
(= This group is represented by the few following
in the Temple Area)
examples:

The excavated surface of the lower floor of Level A White Shaved juglet (fig. 12:1) was found with
6 in Area II is almost equal to the excavated surface a bronze sheet figurine in itsvicinity (Capet 2003:
area of the lower floor of Level 5 in Area IV (see the fig. 15), repeating the same combination of figu
correlation in table 1), but the material it yielded is rine/juglet as in the temple area (cf. Badre and
by far less abundant, due to the fact that this floor of Gubel 1999-2000: 148-49). A few others were
Area II was largely emptied before its restoration also found in the same level (fig. 12:2).
and reoccupation in the second phase (upper phase of A Base Ring IIWare jug (Capet 2003: fig. 7f ) and
Level 5). a bowl of the same Base Ring IIware (Capet 2003:
Because of its scarcity in this area, the imported fig. 32d) were found on the early floor of Level 6
pottery will be presented as a simple typological dis in Building II (fig. 12:3-4).
2006 TELL KAZEL-SIMYRA

Fig. 12. Cypriot (1-3) and Mycenaean (5-11) pottery from Area II, Level 6-Lower. Scale: 1/3.75 except no. 9: 1/7.5.
 82 LEILA BADRE BASOR 343

The Mycenaean Imported Pottery: Area IV, Level 5, Upper Phase

Area II, Level 6-Lower
The following examples are representative of
This group is represented by the following the ceramics found in the upper phase of Area IV,
examples: Level 5.

An amphoroid krater with a chariot scene (fig. A Cypriot White Slip II bowl (fig. 13:1), found
12:9) (Capet 2003: fig. 12a; from LH IIIB Early). in the southern complex of the temple. It is a
It may have an origin in the Argolid (Jung, per large fragment of a hemispherical bowl decorated
sonal communication). around the rim with two sets of two parallel, hori
A series of stirrup vases (fig. 12:10-11) from LH zontal lines which frame a horizontal band of
IIIB (Capet 2003: fig. 7e; 27a). cross-hatched The vertical shows
lozenges. space
Two fragmentary figurines of the psi type (fig. a set of four vertical parallel lines. Several com
12:7-8) (Capet 2003: figs. 22j, 29b). paranda have been noted in LC IIB-C contexts in
Cyprus: at Kalavassos-Ay/?s Dimitrios (South and
From the same level of Area II but in Building I (to Steel 2001: 68, figs. 3-4), in Tomb 90:2 at Kathy
the west of Building II), a well-preserved, spouted data (Astr?m 1972: 445, fig. 51:3), and at Ugarit
conical bowl was found along with a straight-sided
(Schaeffer 1978: 282, fig. 30:12).
pyxis (Badre et al. 1994: figs. 44b, 45g). For com Two almost complete kraters in the local imitation
paranda, cf. Furumark 1972: 52, fig. 15, and Mount style of Mycenaean prototypes, found in the celia
joy 1986: 91, fig. 111:300 (in LH IIIA2) and 118, fig. of this upper phase of Level 5. (These kraters were
145:2, 3(inLHIIIBl). incorrectly attributed to Level 5-Lower in the third
At the end of its first phase (Level 6, lower), Build excavation
preliminary report [Badre and Gubel
ing IIwas almost completely emptied and abandoned. 1999-2000: 172, fig. 31:j-k].) One of the kraters is
This abandonment corresponds to the similar situa
plain (fig. 13:2), while the other (fig. 13:3) is deco
tion in the early phase of Temple 5, where for the rated with red painted designs: the body with large
same reasons (namely, the lack of material evidence), bands and lozenges, and the neck with metopes
it has been difficult to date the phase. embellished with a cross-hatch pattern alternating
with a design of two antithetic triangles.
THE TRANSITIONAL
Jung also notes the appearance of large quanti
LATE BRONZE AGE II-IRON AGE I ties of unpainted, Mycenaean-style vessels in this
phase, themost common of which are the carinated
This transitional period was almost completely kylikes (see fig. 18:6) and the deep bowls (see fig,
devoid of imported material and must correspond to 18:8). He also points out that the rare, painted
the time of the trade embargo imposed by the Hit Mycenaean pottery from the same contexts was
tites. This situation is clearly stated in the treaty con most probably locally produced (see the results of
cluded between the Hittite king Tuthaliya IV and neutron activation analysis: Badre et al. 2005: 30)
Shaushga-muwa, the last attested king from the and can be dated to the beginning of LHIIIC Early
Amurru dynasty (ca. 1250-1230 B.c.). In the words in Aegean terms (cf. Jung in press a and b).
of H. Klengel, "Shaushga-muwa was forbidden to
send a merchant to Assyria or to receive/let pass The importation of foreign pottery from theWest
merchants from this hostile country. . . . The trade to Tell Kazel was replaced in this transitional phase
with the country of Ahhiyawa (i.e. the Aegean) should by the first appearance of the new Handmade Bur
be stopped, that means the landroute from the sea nished Ware (HMBW), or Barbarian Ware as it is
shore to Assyria should be blocked up by the king of otherwise known. This ware is made of coarse clay
Amurru" (Klengel 1991: 173). with coarse micaceous inclusions. It is handmade at
This trade embargo is clearly reflected in the field. a time when the wheel was in full use, and it is fired
Cypriot and Mycenaean imports are almost com at low temperatures which results in a surface that is
pletely absent from the upper phase of Level 5; we uneven in color, changing from reddish-brown to
found only a few imported vessels, while locally im black and brittle. This surface is well smoothed and
itated ones were found in larger quantities. highly (but crudely) burnished.
2006 TELL KAZEL-SIMYRA 83

Fig. 13. Mycenaean local Imitations from Area IV, Level 5-Upper. Scale: 1/3.75.

The HMBW vessels discovered in Area IV were hard-beaten floor, yielded a rich assortment of mate
found in the annexes surrounding the celia of Temple rial culture items.
5 (fig. 14). They are distributed as follows:
Room A. Along with the usual group of domes
The Southern tic material?pithoi, storage jars, miniature cups (cf.
Complex
Badre 2003: 90, fig. 6:1)?this room yielded a very
This complex, which so far is known to have five rare shape of HMBW vessel. It is a tall cylindrical
small, square rooms (fig. 15) with a well-preserved container (fig. 16:1) with a flat disk base and a loop
84 LEILA BADRE BASOR 343

Fig. 14. Handmade Burnished Ware from Areas II and IV.

handle attached slightly above themiddle of its height. other plain cordon is applied around the body slightly
Two plain cordons are applied below the rim and above the base.
above the base. The clay is brown with a black core.
The surface is reddish-brown with gray-black patches. Room D. In the third room, Room D, a rim sherd
Its excavator, Dib Vitale, has compared itwith amea of an unusual shallow plate shape (?) (fig. 16:3) was
suring container used in present-day Syria, called a found.

qirata inArabic, which ismade of reeds, put together

as a structure, and covered up with clay. In Syria The Northern Complex
today it is used to measure any one of the following:
14 kg of wheat, 12 kg of oats, or 14 kg of lentils. The The Northern Complex is a large building of ap
Tell Kazel container has a capacity of 13.250 liters. proximately 200 m2. It is bordered by two streets on
This type of vessel is, as of now, a unique form in its northern and western sides. The complex consists
the Handmade Burnished Ware repertoire. of ten rooms, two of which are large; the others are
of the same small size. The very rich material dis
Room B. The only nearly complete profile found covered there attests to an area of domestic activities.
in this room is that of a Barbarian Ware jar (fig. 16:2)
of the well-known type found at Maa-Palaeokastro Room A. This is the largest room in this com
(Pilides 1994: fig. 20:1) from an LHIIIC Middle con plex. It has a floor that is partly paved with stone
text. It has a flat base with convex sides narrowing slabs, while the other half is earthen. The bulk of the
toward the rim, and is decorated with an applied fin pottery finds was concentrated above the paved strip,
ger-impressed cordon below the rim. The cordon is while the stone objects (basalt mortars, grinders, and
interrupted by two or possibly four lug handles. An roof rollers) were gathered on the earthen floor. Two
2006 TELL KAZEL-SIMYRA 85

TellKazel ;
(1993-2003) t*
Area IV
"" Level 5
?t^t-L (j :
ArchitectsAhmad Yehia
AmaleMkeis
Topographer :LDebavelaere

Fig. 15. Plan of Area IV, Level 5.

HMBW rim sherds (fig. 16:4-5) were found within a more piriform shape and the attachment of its
the collection of the common pottery. They have handle is lower than that of the Tell Kazel specimen.
characteristics similar to those of the above-men Inasmuch as the Tiryns vessel is somewhat different
tioned Maa-Palaeokastro jar type (Pilides 1994: fig. from the HMBW jug at Tell Kazel, the latter may be
20:1). considered another unique type in the HMBW reper
toire. Chronologically, Klaus Kilian has explained the
Room E. Room E is one-quarter the size of presence of HMBW in Tiryns before the destruction
Room A. Its destruction layer yielded a very rich col levels of LH III2B as indicating that there may have
lection of finds, among which was a large and almost been a gradual infiltration of these ceramics at the end
intact Handmade Burnished Ware jug (fig. 16:7). The of LH IIIB which increases and makes its presence
closest comparison to this vessel is a jug from Tiryns felt in the LH IIIC levels: "This ware should be linked
(Pilides 1994: fig. 7:1), but the body of the latter has to a small, foreign population element, not bigger
86 LEILA BADRE BASOR 343

I
l>ca

Fig. 16. Handmade Burnished Ware pottery from Area IV, Level 5-Upper. Scale: 1/4, except nos. 1-2: 1/8.
 2006 TELL KAZEL-SIMYRA 87

than, e.g., the Cypriote one in Tiryns," both integrated
into Mycenaean households. These people formed a
minority and did not cause the end of the palace sys
tem (Pilides 1994: 15; Kilian quoted in this source).
A sherd of a deep goblet (fig. 16:6) was found
in the corner of a room in the northeast section of
the Northern Complex. It has straight sides that are
slightly curved inward toward the rim and is decorated
with a raised horizontal cordon just below the rim.
The Southwestern Complex
A recently excavated area southwest of the paved
entrance of the celia has yielded a house that is not
yet completely excavated. Its thick destruction layer
produced a relatively large quantity of Handmade
Burnished Ware sherds. These have not yet been re
stored, and it therefore would be difficult at this stage
to discuss their types. They are mostly sherds of stor
age jars with a glossy burnished surface (fig. 17:1-6).
The Handmade Burnished Ware was associated in
this Southwestern Complex with the appearance of
another new category of pottery, the wheelmade lus
trous Grey Ware, also known as Trojan Grey Ware.
The clay of this ware was fired to an even gray or
sometimes amottled tan; itwas then incised in linear
patterns of alternating bands of wavy and straight
horizontal lines (Allen 1994: 39).
Grey Ware material was indirect, made by Aegean
emigrants possibly via Cyprus.
The recent chemical analysis on some of the above
Grey Ware sherds (fabric G2) confirmed the attribu
tion of some sherds to northwestern Asia Minor,
since samples of this fabric form the chemical group
that matches the Trojan chemical group TRO-B. This
group is found not only in Grey Ware but also in
Mycenaean pottery at Troy and was common in the
LH IIIB period, the period to which the Tell Kazel
pieces of fabric G2 also belong (cf. Badre et al. 2005:
31-32, n. 48). However, more research is necessary
before it is possible to say when the imported Grey
Ware was replaced by the second Grey Ware fabric,
which so far is of undetermined provenance, possibly
of local imitation (Badre et al. 2005: 36).
The association of the Grey Ware with the Hand
made Burnished Ware at Tell Kazel may suggest a
similar origin for both (see below).
It is clear from the above that although the textual
documents pertaining to the reign of Shaushga-muwa
do not provide any information as towhether the king
abided by the embargo treaty, the archaeological re
sults, including the scarcity of the imported material
in Level 5, are the best evidence for it.
The end of Level 5 is marked by a thick layer of
ashes from the heavy fire which burnt and destroyed
the Level 5 Temple complex.

Grey Ware (fig. 17:7-12). This category is rep Area II: Level Phase
6, Upper
resented so far by five nearly complete profiles. Phase of Level 5 in
(= Upper
the Temple Complex)
1. Two carinated bowls (fig. 17:9-10).
2. The upper part of a storage jar (fig. 17:12).
A similar situation concerning the absence of im
3. A deep bowl with two handles. This is very
portations occurs in the contemporary level of Area II.
likely the upper part of a kylix (fig. 17:8). In its last phase of Level 6, Building IIwas reoccupied
4. A deep bowl with horizontal handles. This
by squatters, who fortunately left behind them few but
shape is very much like the local Mycenaean
significant material remains, among which appeared
product, according to Jung's classification. the first Handmade Burnished Ware mug.
5. A flat base (of an open bowl?).

The Cypriot and Mycenaean Imported Pottery:

Along with this group is a one-handled small cup,
Area II, Level 6-Upper
which bears a strong Mycenaean influence and is
very likely a local imitation of the Aegean style. As in the Temple area, imports in the equivalent
Because neutron activation analysis has been level of Area II are almost absent, but their memory
conducted on only a few sherds, it is still premature is preserved in the local imitation of some of the
to identify the manufacturing origin of this type. S. Mycenaean shapes. Some examples of actual imports
Allen, in her study of Trojan Grey Ware, notes that could be reused vessels from the previous period.
"in Cyprus and the Levant, Grey Ware is found with
the Standard Mycenaean cargo, suggesting that Troy A very few imported Cypriot and Mycenaean
was part of the wide-ranging network of the koine" pots were found together inside a silo (1 m deep)
(Allen 1994: 42). She suggests that the trade of this located in the southeast corner of a very small
88 LEILA BADRE BASOR 343

V
1

If

10 (

y>
12
Fig. 17. Handmade Burnished Ware (1-6) and Grey Ware (7-12) from Area IV, Level 5-Upper. Scale: 1/4.
 2006 TELL KAZEL-SIMYRA 89

room in the southern part of Area II (AA21NW). made Burnished Ware mug and two other sherds of the
This silo belongs to the final phase of Level 6. It same ware, as described below.

is not unlikely that the material, which was found

almost complete on the floor of the silo, belonged The HMBW cup (fig. 19:4) or mug-shaped vessel
to an earlier assemblage (possibly that of Level 6 (Capet 2003: fig. 24c; Badre 1998: fig. 5) has a
Lower) that was intentionally hidden there for its cylindrical body, slightly everted rim, flat base,
rare value. This material included three Cypriot and vertical handle. It is decorated with an applied
vessels along with one Mycenaean jar: a Base horizontal band with rough finger depressions. It
Ring Ware jug (fig. 18:3); aWhite Slip II bowl (fig. has a close parallel with the handmade cup of Lef
18:2); twoWhite Shaved juglets (fig. 18:4-5); and kandi (Euboea), from the earliest phase of the LH
aMycenaean stirrup jar (fig. 18:1). IIIC (Popham and Sackett 1968: 18, fig. 34).
Two fragments of aMycenaean kylix (a rim with A sherd of another, larger HMBW deep bowl (fig.
a group of vertical whorl shells around the interior 19:1) was found in the same context as the pre
and a base; fig. 18:7) were found in this level (Ca vious one (Capet 2003: fig. 24d). It has incurved
pet 2003: fig. 3Id). This resembles the Zygouries sides and a raised horizontal cordon below the rim.
type (FT 258 A) of LH IIIB Early-Middle. The burnishing is done horizontally above the
band and vertically below it.
Local Imitations. Other shapes that look Myce Another deep bowl (fig. 19:2), which is similar to
naean are actually local imitations of Mycenaean pot figure 19:1 but has straight sides, belongs to the
tery. The most common among these are the unpainted same chronological context as the goblet shown in
pottery of Mycenaean inspiration. figure 19:4.
A fourth fragmentary cup (fig. 19:5) has a cordon
An unpainted conical kylix (fig. 18:6) imitates impressed with a rope motif. It comes from the last
the Mycenaean conical kylikes from the LH phase of Room W (Capet 2003: fig. 31m).
IIIB-IIIC.
A fragment of a carinated bowl (fig. 18:9) in dark This last phase of Building II was destroyed in a
brown clay may show some Aegean inspiration. general fire, which must correspond to the same
Finally, some Mycenaean deep bowls (fig. 18:8) fierce fire that burned the temple of Level 5, bring
with horizontal handles and decorated with verti ing a final end to the Late Bronze II period. Follow
cal strokes around the interior of the rim were ing this destruction, the area was reoccupied shortly
noted by R. Jung as a local product which has no afterward, certainly and at least partly by the same
parallel anywhere, either in the Aegean or in the population who continued to live there. That the pe
Levant, and which he attributes to a local "Amurru riod separating the two levels was a short one is in

style" (cf. Jung in press a: fig. 8:4). dicated by the fact that parts of the walls were reused
in the following phase: the stone substructure was re
In a few rooms of the eastern part of Building II, used, and a new mudbrick superstructure was con

several were found that have structed on new

pottery assemblages top with bricks of shapes and sizes.
some interesting features. A first assemblage, known
as the "kitchen group" or Room P (Capet 2003: fig. The Origins of the Handmade
20-21), includes a large and varied group of local Burnished Ware
pottery, among which is a krater (Capet 2003: fig.
2In) in the imitation of the amphoroid Mycenaean It is important at this stage to locate the origins of
kraters, identical with the one found in the temple of the Handmade Burnished Ware which is associated
Level 5 (cf. fig. 13:3). with the level of this transitional period of the Late
Another krater, with a row of painted deer (Capet Bronze II/Iron Age I. How did it reach the Mediter
2003: fig. 21m, nn. 41, 42), is locally made and has ranean coastal sites?
no known parallel. Its decoration, however, is known Despina Pilides has studied the question of these
from the "pictorial style" Mycenaean krater. origins at some length in her dissertation on "Hand
To the south of Room P, another ensemble of three made Burnished Wares of the Late Bronze Age in
pots was found, in what is considered a corridor or Cyprus" (Pilides 1994), where the presence of HBW
passageway. This group included a complete Hand was analyzed both in theWest (Greece, South Italy,
90 LEILA BADRE BASOR 343

>

K7

JL
?

Fig. 18. Cypriot (2-5) and Mycenaean (1) pottery in silo; local Mycenaean imitations (6-9) from Area II, Level 6
Upper. Scale: 1/4.
2006 TELLKAZEL-SIMYRA 91

v
\

Fig. 19. Handmade Burnished Ware pottery from Area II, Level 6-Upper. Scale: 1/3.33.
 92 LEILA BADRE BASOR 343

the Balkans, Troy, and Cyprus) and, but on a minor nished Ware pottery from Ras al-Bassit is being
scale, in the Levant. studied by Pascal Darque.
InGreece, HBW seems to occur as early as LH IIIB A sherd discovered in the excavations of Beirut
Middle in very small quantities, reaching its "peak" in Town Center/Bey 003 (Badre 1998: 76, fig. 4a-b)
LH IIIC. What is clear, concludes E. Chatzipovliov, is made of coarse grey ware with a light brown,
is that "this pottery is alien to theMycenaean pottery smoothed surface and is decorated with an incised
so far known and was therefore produced by foreign motif. Vassos Karageorghis identified this sherd as
tribes" (Chatzipovliov in Demakopoulo 1988: no. HMBW. It was found within a fill of a rock-cut
298). tomb where Mycenaean IIIA:2b sherds were also
This new pottery type seems to have appeared found. If this context were conclusive, the Beirut
later in Cyprus than in Greece. The ware is easily Barbarian sherd would be the earliest HMBW
distinguished from any of the local, traditional fab known so far, but unfortunately a fill is not neces
rics. Its first appearance with the influx of LH IIIC sarily a reliable context.
painted pottery in Cyprus argues for some connec
tion between the bearers of the ware and the presence Concerning the presence of the Handmade Bur
of Mycenaean elements on the island from the be nished Ware on the eastern Mediterranean coast, we
ginning of LCIIIA through LC IIIB: it is still present may conclude that:
at Kition in early CG IA times (Pilides 1994: 108).
Pilides develops her research further in the direction A new pottery type (HMBW) has made a sudden
of the Near East: "It would also be extremely inter and short appearance in the Levantine pottery se
esting if a project was undertaken to identify HBW quence. This new pottery is always associated with
in the Near East, especially on sites such as Ras Ibn a destructionlayer very much related to the date of
Hani and Tell [sic] Miqne, where large quantities of the Sea Peoples.
'Myc. IIIC: lb,' the pottery associated with HBW in This pottery may have come along a route from
Cyprus, were found" (Pilides 1994: 40). the Aegean via the west coast of Asia Minor and
Our quick survey in this direction showed that: Cyprus, down along the Near Eastern Mediterra
nean coast.

At Ibn Hani, a special handmade grey ware pot

tery called "c?ramique ? la steatite" appeared in It is essential that large-scale neutron activation
the settlement of the 12th century b.c. (cf. Bounni and p?trographie analyses be conducted on this pot
et al. 1979: fig. 27:1-2), which was built immedi tery. Preliminary results of neutron activation analy

ately following the destruction of the palace. This ses conducted on a few HMBW specimens (Badre et
pottery, produced mainly in the shape of cooking al. 2005) indicate local production of the Handmade
pots, was associated with a
locally made pottery Burnished Ware in the Akkar Plain. This pottery may
imitating the Mycenaean
IIIC1 style. become a decisive element in the relative chronology
This same "c?ramique ? la steatite" was noticed of the transitional Late Bronze/Iron Age period.
by L. Courtois in "La maison aux alb?tres" at
Ugarit (Lagarce and Lagarce 1974: 21). Its date CONCLUSIONS
(the Late Bronze Age) is earlier than that at Ibn
Hani. In view of the recent appearance at Ugarit The historical events corresponding with the end
of a great quantity of Mycenaean pottery from of the Late Bronze II period at Tell Kazel (Level 5
the second half of the 13th century and the be in Area IV and its contemporary Level 6 in Area II)
ginning of the 12th century, which probably came include the fall of the Hittite Empire, on the one
from workshops established outside Greece nearer hand, and the arrival, settlement, and departure of

to its foreign customers (Yon 2003: 44), further the Sea Peoples, on the other. As a hypothesis, we
research on the "c?ramique ? la steatite" and Bar may attribute the architectural achievements of this
barian Ware is necessary. period to the part-Hittite dynasty of Amurru around
At Ras al-Bassit, our colleague Leone du Pied 1300 B.c., and the evacuation of the city toward the
identified a similar pottery "? la steatite" in an end of LB II, when the city was emptied (Area IV
Early Iron Age context. Other Handmade Bur Level 5-Lower and Area II Level 6-Lower).
 2006 TELLKAZEL-SIMYRA 93

The city was reoccupied shortly afterward (Area disappeared) and that the people of Amurru were cap
IV Level 5-Upper and Area II Level 6-Upper), in part tured and dispersed, and finally submitted (Klengel
by the same population reusing the existing temple, 1991: 184).
probably for cultic purposes, and partly by a group The final destruction of Level 5 is due to a fierce
of newcomers who brought with them the style and fire which may be attributed to a second and larger
technique of the Handmade Burnished Ware pottery. wave of Sea Peoples, who vanquished both the popu
This group may correspond to a first peaceful wave lation and the country of Amurru. We may imagine
(of the Sea Peoples?) who pitched their camps in this that the inscription of year 8 of Ramses III (from
region sometime before the eighth year of the reign of Medinet Habu) could refer to this second wave. The
Ramses III, possibly related to the first inscription of various analyses in progress may well shed further
Medinet Habu from the fifth year of Ramses III, light on the problem.
which mentions a "king of Amurru" (whose name has

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1994 Trojan Grey Ware at Tel Miqne-Ekron. Bulletin 1999- Teil Kazel (Syria): Excavations of the AUB
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Astr?m, P. Badre, L.; Boileau, M.-C; Jung, R.; and Mommsen, H.

1972 The Swedish Cyprus Expedition, Vol. 4, Part 2005 The Provenance of Aegean and Syrian-Type
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Badre, L. Bounni, A.; Lagarce, J. and E.; Saliby, N.; and Badre, L.
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