A pre-Islamic destruction episode was discovered by Mark Hartmann (now Dr. Hartmann
at the University of Arkansas)
during the first excavation season in 1987.
Additional walls
and floor surfaces associated with this episode were investigated during 1995 and 1996. Fragments of a blue
glazed Parthian style jug with twisted handle were found in the destruction fill as well as sherds decorated
with the distinctive Parthian motif, a zigzag pattern, incised around the shoulder of an unglazed jar. One
inscription consists of 3 letters written in the Parthian script typical of the second and third century A.D.
Hadar Seeloo, foreman of the Syrian workmen in Area 1, carefully exposed the
a Parthian altar that was attached to the north wall
of the temple.
Several pottery jars and a bowl were discovered in front of the altar; we interpret
the pottery jars and bowl as ritual offerings. A half
dozen inscriptions on the shoulder of the jars refer to
measures of volume. Our assumption, based on the high temperature fire that burnt in
the temple, is that the jars contained olive oil.
Rian Thum supervised the excavation of a mudbrick temple constructed
during the Parthian Period.
Liz Alesi and Rian Thum draw the mudbricks in the Parthian wall.
The identification of the mudbrick temple with the Parthian culture is based
upon the distinctively decorated unglazed and glazed Parthian pottery wares
found inside the structure. Rocker pattern storage jar sherds were found in
the fill within the temple.
Bodysherds with fragments of Parthian letters written with tar on the exterior of tar-lined storage jars. Found
in loci 126006 and 126015 by Dr. Michael Fuller.
The Parthian loci were excavated by Michael Fuller (in 1995), Rian Thum (in 1996), and Chip Clatto and
Louis Naes (in 1997).
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Aramaic script was used by the Parthians at Tell Tuneinir to label the
tar-lined storage jars in loci 126006 and 126015.
Parthian Altar in final photograph.
Patera (offering bowl) in situ on the Parthian altar.
Chip Clatto supervised the dismantling of the Parthian temple structure.
It was necessary to explore the building beneath the temple.
Photographic Credit: Professor David Hanlon, SLCC-MC
Updated 24 June 2005
Migrated 2 April 2008
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