Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (1.1988-1989(1990))

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN THE HASAKE DISTRICT, 1986
by
WIKTORA. DASZEWSKI, FRANCISZEKH. STpPNIOWSKI

In October 1986a team from the Polish Centre of Archaeology of Warsaw
University conducted a brief archaeological survey of the area in the vicinity
of Hasake, in northeastern Syria. The area chosen constituted part of the
terrain which was to be flooded pending the construction of a complex of dams on
the Habur River and its tributaries. Prof. W.A.Daszewski, director of the
Centre, headed the team which included Dr. H. Krogulska and Hr. F. H.
Stepniowski. The survey was intended as a means for choosing a site which the
Centre would subsequently excavate, becoming one of the numerous foreign teams
which were participating in an extensive excavation program instigated in
endangered area by the Directorate General of Antiquities and Kuseums of Syria.
It is our pleasant duty at this point to warmly thank the Directorate General
for inviting the Polish Center to participate in the program and for taking
friendly interest in the project.
The survey covered 8 tells. Tell Tnenir, Tell Ta'ban, Tell Dhahab, Tell
Ziyade and Tell Knedig lay to the South of Hasake, while Tell Djassaal-Gharbi,
Tell Abu Hafurand Tell Abu Hadjaratwere located northwest of Hasake. along
Derbasiye road. (Fig. 1)
All the sites yielded rich collections of pottery as well as flint and
obsidian objects, all of which were meticulously studied. In the search for the
site to excavate the team had to take into account not only the nature of the
surface finds, suggestive of the archaeological contents of the tell, but also
the size and character of the tell itself. This was essential in order that the
extent of the work which was feasible for the Polish Hission would be adequate

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