Hasanlu

A tell site on Lake Urmia, northwest Iran, with a sequence beginning in the late 7th millennium BC. Much information has been gained on the early Ceramic Neolithic phase of the late-7th to mid-6th millennia BC. The citadel dates from the 10th century BC and is surrounded by a lower town. Four buildings on the citadel, facing onto a court and linked to a higher court with further buildings, have been interpreted as a palace complex. In c 800 BC, Hasanlu was destroyed. One of the skeletons held a magnificent gold bowl decorated with mythical scenes in relief. The bowl is related artistically to the finds from Marlik and Ziwiyeh. Other rich finds of gold, silver, electrum, glass, and ivory have been made at Hasanlu.

A tell site on the south bank of Lake Urmia in northwest Iran. It consists of a citadel, constructed early in the 1st millennium bc on the debris of much earlier prehistoric remains, and surrounded by a lower town. Four buildings on the citadel, facing onto a court and linked to a higher court with further buildings, have been interpreted as a palace complex. In c800 BC the building was burnt down and in its shell were found 21 bodies, alternatively interpreted as human sacrifices or as looters who died when the building collapsed. One of the skeletons held a magnificent gold bowl decorated with mythical scenes in relief. Other rich finds of gold, silver, electrum, Hass and ivory have been made at Hasanlu.