Sites & cities that bear the name of Habuba Kabira

Habuba Kabira

Today in : Syrian Arab Republic
First trace of activity : ca. 3,500 B.C.E
Last trace of activity : ca. 3,200 B.C.E
Recorded names : Tell Qanas

Description : Habuba Kabira (Tell Qanas) is the site of an Uruk settlement along the Euphrates in Syria, founded during the later part of the Uruk period. It was about 800 mi (1,300 km) from the city of Uruk. The site is now mostly underwater due to the Tabqa Dam project. Habuba Kabira was built around 3500 BCE on a regular plain with strong defensive walls, but was abandoned after a few generations and never inhabited again. The site is around 18 hectares in area, with the walled area encompassing 10 hectares. Lisa Cooper cites evidence from Heinrich, et al. 1969 as well as Heusch, 1980 indicating that the site was reinhabited from late Early Bronze Age to Middle Bronze Age with reuse of building walls and the defensive walls. There were also several other late Uruk enclaves and outposts in this general area. They include Arslantepe (attested at level VIA), Hassek Höyük (attested at level 5), Jebel/Djebel Aruda (near Tell es-Sweyhat), and Tepecik (Elazığ Province, attested at level 3). Godin Tepe is a similar site in Iran.

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