Geomorphology of tell 'Atij,Northern Syria

Succint results of recent geomorphological research conducted by a Canadian team from Université Laval (Quebec city) in the Khabur valley of northeastern Syria confirms the hypothesis put forward by one of the authors concerning the function of the tell 'Atij site during the Early Bronze Age period (3000–2500 B. C.). The detailed study of a stratigraphically controlled cross section of 25 m × 6 m, on the abrupt western side of the main tell of the site, combined with observations made in a trench linking the principal tell to the secondary one showed that these two tells, now forming 'Atij, were small islands on the ancient Khabur River. At the time of their occupation, i. e., the first half of the 3rd millenium, the Khabur was wider, deeper and navigable. Another investigation trench, 400 m N. E. of the main tell, disproved the suggested existence of an ancient irrigation canal in the area. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.