Cotton and wheat, wheat and cotton: this is one way of describing the far north-east of Syria. This far-flung, vast region stretching from the Tigris to the Euphrates, is not only the bread basket of the country, but also a source of energy since the Syrians began extracting oil from around Karatchok (100 km east of Kemichli). Major construction works, like the building of several dams on the Euphrates and Khabour rivers, have been carried out to make this possible. This has enabled Hassakeh, capital of the governorate, to become the region’s most important agricultural market. This beautiful town surrounded by greenery and flowers is a pleasant place to stop in.

A rich archaeological heritage

Initially, only three tells here were the object of archaeological missions:

Tal Brak (west of Tal Barri), where buildings from the Akkadian era, and little houses from the end of the Uruk era were uncovered;

Tal Chargarbazar (south-west of Kemichli) where fifteen archaeological layers have been identified, six of which are prehistoric, and five of which date between 3000 and 1600 B.C.;

Tal Halaf (120 km west of Kemichli) where the Gouzana has yielded Assyrian texts.

This interest intensified when it became clear that many of these zones were threatened by the dam building works. Archaeological missions expanded the area of their digs as a result and began increasing activity in the threatened tells. The results were conclusive as today it can be said that the Hassakeh region, like so many regions in Syria, will further contribute to an archaeological heritage considered to be one of the richest in the world.

A brief description of these tells provides an introduction to the long tale of Syria’s evolution, this wonderful adventure in the quest for humanity.

A "mass" of archaeological tells

• Tal Mozan: to the north of Hassakeh on the Syro-Turkish border. Buildings from the middle of the third millennium B.C., a temple and inscribed documents from the second half of the third millennium have been uncovered;

• Tal Mohamad Diab: situated to the east of the Tal Mozan. Digs have yielded living quarters and tombs from the second half from the second millennium B.C.;

• Tal Al-Hamidiyeh: north of the Tal Khazneh. In addition to the palace uncovered, the discovery of very important ninth-century B.C. cuneiform texts is worth noting;

• Tal Barri: to the north of the Tal Hamidieh, rough brick buildings from the sixth century A.D. were found;

• Tal Beidar: a high town with stratigraphic succession with elements of domestic architecture from the Parthian period;

• Tal Khwera: situated between Ras Al Ain and Tal Abiad. Discovery of a large temple dating back to the third millennium B.C.;

• Tal Hammam al-Turkman: north of Raqqa. An administrative building from the middle of the bronze age and tablets and seals have been found;

• Tal Kashkashouk: the discovery of marvelous statuettes prove that ceramics go back to the time of the Tal Halaf;

• Tal Gudeda: south of Tal Atij. Rough brick buildings have been found;

• Tal Tneinir: south of Tal Gudeda. Discovery of a church, ornate pieces from wall paintings, etc;

• Tal Mashnaqua: rough brick buildings.

• Major excavations are being carried out at the following sites: Tal Bderi opposite Tal Boueid; Tal Boueid; Tal Lleilan, one of the most important of the Hassakeh Tal's; Tal Rad Shaqrah, another important site; Tal Ruquat south of Tal Rad Shaqrah and Tal Karma; and Tal Atij south of Tal Roquai.

On the banks of the Tigris

The Tigris, whose right bank is Syrian territory for some fifty kilometers, is not very easy to get to. The river winds down a valley overhung by cliffs. The remains of a huge three-arched bridge (only one of which measuring fifteen meters is still visible, along with a massive pile) are characteristic of the Ain Diwar site.