Tall Bazi

Tall Bazi is an archaeological site on the east bank of the Euphrates River in Al-Raqqah Governorate. The settlement consists of a lower town and a citadel that rises approximately 60 meters above the surrounding valley meadow.

The settlement was continuously occupied from the third millennium BC until the Mitanni period, with evidence of destruction around 2300 BC. This destruction layer marks a major disruption in the site's occupation history.

The name comes from the ancient city of Baṣīru, which was governed by community elders during the Mitanni period rather than by a single ruler. This form of leadership shows how residents managed their affairs collectively.

The Tishrin Dam, completed in 1999, flooded the entire lower town, leaving only the main mound visible above water level. Visitors should know that large portions of the site remain submerged, limiting access to certain areas.

During multiple excavation campaigns between 1993 and 2010, archaeologists discovered temple remains containing evidence of beer production and ritual consumption practices. These findings show that drinking played an important role in religious ceremonies.

Location: Al-Raqqah Governorate

GPS coordinates: 36.42731,38.27650

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:06