Ancient Tell Chuera

Tell Chuera is an almost circular hill of approximately 950 metres in diameter and up to 18 metres in height and thus one the largest tells (mounds) in the northeast of Syria. The landscape is flat and treeless. The annual rainfall is sufficient for meagre agriculture; besides that the population lives mainly on the breeding of sheep. A wadi is situated nearby and in antiquity the area probably had a higher agricultural potential than today.

Originally occupied during the 4th millennium, Tell Chuera became a major site in the 3rd millennium during the Early Dynastic period. It reached its peak around 2350 BC and was then abandoned for reasons as yet unknown. A small settlement was built on the location by the Assyrians during the 2nd millennium. While the early name for the city is unknown during Middle Assyrian times it was known as Harbe.

The History of the Ancient Near East Electronic Compendium