Chatal Höyük (Amuq)



Chatal Höyük (Amuq) is a large archaeological site in the eastern part of the Amuq plain in Turkey. It is located in the valley of the Orontes River, and it was inhabited from the late 4th millennium BCE, and until about 500 BC. It was a large town during the time of the Hittite Empire. In the Iron Age it was a part of the state of Unqi, based at the nearby site of Tell Tayinat.

Many other important archaeological sites are located in the area, such as Alalakh, Tell al-Judaidah, and Al-Mina.

The large acropolis of Chatal Höyük is located on the left bank of the Afrin river, and it was extensively investigated by archaeologists, while the nearby lower town still remained to be excavated. While the excavations of Chatal were very thorough, nevertheless, there were big delays with the publication of the results. Only in the 21st century the complete publication was achieved by the team headed by Marina Pucci.

Excavations
Archaeologists Calvin W. McEwan and Robert J. Braidwood started their research in the Amuq valley in 1932 with the excavations at Chatal Höyuk and Tell al Judeidah. Originally, because of its large size, it was believed that Chatal Höyuk was the location of the ancient city of Kinalua (Khunalua), that was known from the textual sources in the Assyrian Annals. The Assyrians knew this area as 'the land of Pattina'. The excavations at Tell Tayinat started later in 1935, because no large public architecture was discovered at the other sites. At this time it is believed that Tell Tayinat is indeed the ancient Kinalua.