Uncovering the Mysteries of Teppe Hasanlu
Teppe Hasanlu, located in northwest Iran’s West Azerbaijan province, is an ancient archaeological site. Just south of Lake Urmia, this site offers a snapshot of a city frozen in time. The city was destroyed in the 9th century BC, preserving buildings, artifacts, and skeletal remains. Researchers believe the Mannaeans inhabited Hasanlu Tepe.
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The Structure of Hasanlu Tepe
Hasanlu Tepe dominates the Gadar River valley, standing 25 meters high. The site includes a fortified central citadel surrounded by a low outer town. Although local activities have reduced its size, the site still measures about 600 meters across, with the citadel having a 200-meter diameter.
A Continuous Inhabitation
People lived in Hasanlu Tepe from the 6th millennium BC to the 3rd century AD. The site is famous for the Golden Bowl of Hasanlu. Since June 2018, efforts have been underway to designate it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Origins of the Name
The site is named after the nearby village of Hasanlū. The word “Tepe” means hill in Persian, borrowed from Old Turkic.
Early Excavations
Aurel Stein first dug the site in 1936. Later, the Iranian Archaeological Service conducted excavations in 1947 and 1949. However, significant excavations took place between 1956 and 1974. These were led by Robert H. Dyson Jr. from the University of Pennsylvania and the Metropolitan Museum.
Discovering the Golden Bowl
Initial excavations aimed to explore the region’s stratified occupation levels. The discovery of the Golden Bowl in 1958 shifted the focus to the Iron Age. The project also excavated several other sites, including Dinkha Tepe and Hajji Firuz Tepe.
Dalma Tepe
Dalma Tepe, near Hasanlu Tepe, is a small mound and type site of the Dalma culture. Charles Burney and T. Cuyler Young Jr. excavated it between 1958 and 1961. They found handmade, chaff-tempered pottery, known as Dalma painted ware, with deep-colored triangle patterns on red backgrounds.
Periods of Occupation
Middle Bronze Age (Level VI)
Around 1600–1450 BC, material culture changes marked the Middle Bronze III period. The rapid abandonment of old pottery styles and the rise of Monochrome Burnished Ware characterized this time.
Late Bronze Age (Level V)
Monochrome Burnished Ware dominated the Late Bronze Age. This period saw cultural contact with Assyria, reflected in pottery styles. Occupation on Hasanlu’s High and Low Mounds continued, with notable graves at Dinkha Tepe.
Iron Age (Level IV-III)
Around 1250 BC, Iron I began, although iron use was minimal. The High Mound likely had fortifications, gateways, and large residential structures. Hasanlu’s destruction around 800 BC marked the start of Iron II. Excavators found evidence of a significant fire and subsequent rebuilding.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Iron II saw Hasanlu fortified, with Assyrian and local goods suggesting cultural contacts. The city’s destruction around 800 BC left over 285 human victims. The site provides a snapshot of early Iron Age life, similar to Pompeii.
Continued Occupation
Following the destruction, a Urartian fortress was built on the High Mound. The site saw continuous occupation during the Achaemenid and Seleuco-Parthian periods.
Post Iron Age Levels
Level II revealed a 4th-century BC house. Level I uncovered an Islamic settlement from the 14th century AD.
Ethno-Linguistic Insights
Recent genetic studies suggest the inhabitants might have spoken a language related to Armenian or a non-Indo-European language.
Hasanlu Tepe remains a critical site for understanding ancient civilizations in Iran. Its well-preserved layers offer valuable insights into early human history.
Sources: Wikipedia
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