Tell Tayinat

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Tell Ta'yinat is a low-lying ancient occupation mound in the Hatay province of southeastern Turkey about 25 kilometres from Antakya.

The site was a major urban centre during the Early Bronze Age and Iron Age and is thought likely to be the site of ancient Kunulua, the capital of the Neo-Hittite/Aramean kingdoms of Unqi and Patina. Archaeological excavations were conducted at the site by the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute during the late 1930s. One of the key finds made at the site was a temple reminiscent in plan to the descriptions of King Solomon's Temple in the Old Testament. Several large palaces in the style known as bit-hilani were also excavated.

New excavations at the site were begun by a team from the University of Toronto in 2004. Continued excavations in the summer of 2005 exposed more of the Iron Age temple as well as part of one of the early Iron Age II bit-hilanis. A significant amount of earlier Iron Age I material was also uncovered as well as small amounts of Early Bronze Age material. Further excavtions in upcming season are hoped will find a significant Early Bronze Age occupation at the site.

The site lies some 800 metres from the site of Tell Atchana, the site of the ancient city of Alalakh.

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