Arslan Tash, Archaeological excavation site in northern Syria.
Arslan Tash is an archaeological dig site in northern Syria that holds the remains of city walls, gates with carved lion sculptures, and a palace complex from the Assyrian period. Multiple layers of ancient construction lie one on top of another at this location, revealing how the settlement developed over time.
The settlement began as an Aramean Iron Age kingdom and was later transformed into an Assyrian settlement in the 9th century BC when Tiglath-Pileser III. brought the region under Assyrian control. This shift marked the end of local independence and the beginning of imperial rule.
The carved ivory pieces and stone amulets found here reveal how Aramean and Assyrian artistic traditions met and influenced each other. A visitor can see how the place served as a crossroads where different cultures left their marks on the same settlement.
The site lies about 30 kilometers east of Carchemish near the Euphrates River and can be reached by local roads. Visitors should expect a large, partially unexcavated area with different digging zones spread across the terrain.
Two basalt lion statues from this location were destroyed in 2015, bringing international attention to the protection of Syrian archaeological heritage. The loss of these sculptures highlighted how vulnerable ancient sites can be during periods of conflict.
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