Studia Palmyreńskie (8.1985)

TELL EL HAJJ IN SYRIEN, ERSTER VORLAUFIGER BERICHT,
GRABUNGSKAMPAGNE 1971, VON C. KRAUSE, K. SCHULER, R. A.

STUCKY. PP. 49, FIGS. 6, PLS. 13, PLANS 6, SECTIONS 7.
ARCHAOLOGISCHES SEMINAR DER UNIVERSITAT BERN, BERN 1972
TELL EL HAJJ IN SYRIEN, ZWEITER VORLAUFIGER BERICHT,
GRABUNGSKAMPAGNE 1972, VON PH. BRIDEL, C. KRAUSE,

H. SPYCHER, R. A. STUCKY, P. SUTER, S. ZELLWEGER, PP. 72,
FIGS. 22, PLS. 11, PLANS 10, SECTIONS 11. ARCHAOLOGISCHES SEMINAR
DER UNIVERSITAT BERN, BERN 1974

These preliminary reports of two seasons’ rescue excavation at Tell el Hajj
in the Tabqa dam reservoir area give a detailed account of rigorous research on
a site abandoned after the 8th cent. AD. Stress is put on the statigraphy and archi-
tectural remains, with interpretation supported by small finds, early pottery, nu-
mismata and the incriptions. Identification of the ancient name of the site, its role
in the Seleucid kingdom and in the Roman limes are the main problems posed.

An inscription found in a hypogeum, dating probably from the Late Roman period
is of direct interest for palmyrenologists and may have some bearing on the „banquet
problem”. Over the opening of one of the side niches TPO/ = I/KAIN/ION/BHAHC
is scratched. The niche contains 4 loculi carved in the limestone rock — a single
at the back and 3 along the depth of the niche. Nothing besides a cooking pot and
stone and terracotta slabs was found in the tomb. This is however, not the main
scope of the books.

The earliest traces of occupation were discovered at the base of the edge of the
tell. Pottery of Ubaid and Uruk cultures was found in connection with an unbaked
clay massif. The site seems to have been unoccupied in the 3rd Mill. B.C. Since the
beginning of the 2nd Mill, till the abandonment of the site the settlements were
continuous. In the last quarter of this millennium a defensive wall of dried brick
on double narrow stone foundations was built on the rim of the tell. These walls
were followed by late Persian or early hellenistic dried brick structures, founded
on double or single narrow stone wall. On the side of the tell facing the Euphrates
a next phase of construction may be connected with 1st cent. A.D. building activity.
At this time walls at three other sides of the tell were greatly shortened, and thus
a castrum was formed. Three main periods of its construction are distinguishable.
The first two castra, divided by destruction layer, dated correspondigly — 1st - 3rd
cent. A.D. and 4th - 6th(?) cent., were surrounded by lower town, which suffered
same destruction. In the third period, 6th(?) - 8th(?) cent. A.D. a sole military camp
was left on the hill. In the first period two cohortae were stationed at Tell el Hajj
— prima milliaria Thracum and secunda pia fidelis. This, together with the position

11 Studia palmyreńskie z. VIII

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