Preliminary Site Report of the Oriental Institute of the University of Vienna and Archaeos: Excavation Project at Tell Arbid, Sector D

"Summary: The Oriental Institute of the University of Vienna and Archaeos, Inc. collaborated in a joint archaeological research project at Tell Arbid in the Jezireh region of Syria between 31 August 1999 and 9 September 1999. The excavation opened eight separate areas, three in what is referred to here as the ''southern operation and five in the ''northern operation''. The ''southern operation'' did not uncover any substantial architecture, possibly because dirt and debris eroding for millenia had been deposited in that area, a trough like depression at the side of the tell. A ''northern operation'' was staged in an area thought to be outside the original city fortifications. The areas in this operation yielded a series of architectural levels and burials, most dating to the Early Dynastic period (specifically ED III, 2600-2350 BCE.) Among the architectural finds were a building with the remains of impressed door sealings situated in one of the rooms and outside the structure. These sealings suggest a possible administrative function for both that particular building and several other structures within the same complex, which included a courtyard with grinding stones still in situ. Many other objects were also unearthed during the season including: cylinder seals, and various types of pottery, animal and human figurines, as well as bronze pins and tweezers. Two later Hellenistic graves were also discovered. Both were undisturbed; the one in the best stage of preservation contained a wine jar, bronze drinking cup, and bronze serving ladle, wheras the other contained a vessel sculpted out of alabaster."