Tilmen Höyük, Bronze Age archaeological site in Gaziantep Province, Turkey.
Tilmen Höyük is an archaeological mound rising 21 meters (69 feet) above the Karasu River marshes with ancient structures and defensive walls spread across about 4.5 hectares (11 acres). Multiple settlement layers are stacked on top of each other, showing how people rebuilt and lived on the same spot over many centuries.
Excavations reveal continuous settlement from the Late Chalcolithic period through the Early Byzantine era, with the strongest development during the Middle Bronze Age. The fortified structures visible today were built and used intensively during that prosperous time.
The site shows strong ties to Assyrian merchant networks and the Yamhad kingdom based in Aleppo through clay bullae and architectural remains discovered there. These connections shaped how people lived and traded during the ancient periods.
The site can be reached by private vehicle from Gaziantep, with brown signposts marking the route through local roads to the archaeological park. It helps to arrive early in the day to explore the full expanse of the grounds, especially during warmer months.
The monumental gates are flanked by basalt lion sculptures, some of the earliest stone statues discovered in this region. These carved figures show the craftsmanship and power of those who controlled this place.
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