Tell al-Fakhar

Tell al-Fakhar, known as 'Pottery Mound,' is an archaeological site located 45 kilometers southwest of Kirkuk, Iraq. The site features two primary occupation phases: the Mitanni/Kassite period of the mid-second millennium BCE and the Neo-Assyrian period of the early first millennium BCE. The most significant structure discovered is the 'Green Palace,' dating from the Mitanni era, which included a reception hall, private and public wings, and an archive of approximately 800 clay tablets. Evidence of a violent end to this phase includes blocked doorways, burned walls, and remains of defenders. The Neo-Assyrian phase was less well-preserved, with remnants of buildings and kilns. Tell al-Fakhar's findings, especially the Mitanni-period tablets, provide crucial insights into the ancient political and social dynamics of the region.