Tell el Fakhariya

Tell el Fakhariya is an archaeological site near Ras al-Ayn featuring a central elevated mound that reveals layers of settlements from different periods stacked on top of each other. The location sits in the Khabur River basin and displays scattered ruins across a broad area.

The settlement reaches back to around 2000 BCE and became an important hub during the Assyrian period. It was known as Sikani by around 1000 BCE and held significance in regional trade networks.

Excavations at the site revealed a significant bilingual inscription in Akkadian and Aramaic languages, detailing the governance of ruler Hadad-yithi.

The site sits near Ras al-Ayn within open landscape that is straightforward to explore on foot. Wear comfortable shoes and expect uneven ground as you walk through the ruins.

Cuneiform tablets discovered here suggest connections to the Mittani capital Wassukanni and reveal trade links to the broader Bronze Age world. These findings show the site held connections within ancient networks that stretched far beyond the local region.