TELL AFIS IN THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY b.c.e.: Under the Rule of the Hittites

Three letters in Hittite language found at Tell Afis (thirteenth century b.c.e.) prove that Northwest Syria (east of the Ugaritic state) was under the direct control of a “Lord of the Country” residing at Alalakh (the capital of the Antioch plain) who was, in turn, under the authority of the Hittite central administration (Hattusa). Excavations on the western slope of the acropolis have given a stratigraphical sequence covering the whole Late Bronze Age. The tablets have been found in Building F, exposed for approximately 400 m2. While the cultural horizon of this phase is representative of an inner Syrian Late Bronze II context, a lugged axe and pithoi with marks point to a connection with Central Anatolia. Six other tablets in Akkadian were written by the local administrative office. The individuals' names are mostly Hurrian, in agreement with the situation in Alalakh.