Telul Eth-Thalathat
Archaeology
The site consists of at least five separate tells or settlement mounds. Telul eth-Thalathat was excavated for four seasons between 1956 and 1965 and again in 1976 by a team from the University of Tokyo Iraq-Iran Archaeological Expedition. The main focus was to establish a complete Ninevite 5 sequence at Tell V. The first two seasons, in 1956 and 1957, were led by N. Egami and worked at Tell II. Burials, residential areas, and a presumed temple were uncovered. The final season was led by S. Fukai. Among the small finds was a small square stamp seal with two human figures dated to the late 4th or early 5th millennium BC.
Occupation history
Telul eth-Thalathat was occupied in the Ubaid, Nineveh 5, and Uruk periods, as well as during Middle Assyrian times. Excavations have revealed over 20 kilns and a number of burials, as well as some figurines and spindle whorls. Eleven Neolithic clay tokens were also recovered. On Tell V a single period Ninevite 5 settlement was found. It included a 6 by 18 meter building interpreted as a granary. Tell II showed occupation from the Pottery Neolithic to Middle Uruk periods.