Late old Syrian fortifications and Middle Syrian re-occupation of the Western Rampart at Tell Mardikh-Ebla

An articulated project of renewed investigation on the Eblaic fortification system, started in 1995 with the discovery of a large defensive complex in the middle of the western rampart, planned the excavations of large sectors especially of the Western, Northern and Eastern rampart, bringing to light the Western Fort, the Northern Fort, the large bastion flanking the not-yet excavated ‘Aleppo’ Gate, the North-East city Gate, the Fortress East-North-East. The presence of destruction layers sealing the structures of the Old Syrian fortifications allowed to study a large amount of materials in situ on the floors especially in the Western Fort. In the last architectural phase of this huge building the pottery horizon is clearly dated to the very end of the Middle Bronze II and the presence of several diagnostic shapes of the Simple and Kitchen Wares integrates with complete specimens the ceramic typology of the period, already known especially from the assemblages of the Western and Northern Palaces. A successive short occupation, dating from the beginning of the Late Bronze of Syria, shows dwellings obtained partially dismantling the eastern retaining wall of the Fort, and reemploying some rooms of the upper western wing. This phase attests the presence of squatters shortly after the destruction and the consequent abandonment of the town and permits to follow the evolution of the material culture at Ebla during the 16th and 15th cent. BC.