In 2010 the Syro-British Mission to Zalabiyeh began excavations at this Byzantine/early Islamic era
citadel on the east bank of the river Euphrates opposite the more famous town of Halabiyeh. This
article provides a brief historical overview of the site by examining the literary references to the castle
before discussing the ...
In 2010 the Syro-British Mission to Zalabiyeh began excavations at this Byzantine/early Islamic era
citadel on the east bank of the river Euphrates opposite the more famous town of Halabiyeh. This
article provides a brief historical overview of the site by examining the literary references to the castle
before discussing the discoveries made during the summer of 2010.
By considering the evidence provided by the standing architecture at the site, namely the extant walls
of the fortification, and relating this to the archaeological evidence for a major fire episode occurring
in the early Islamic era, the authors argue that the site was occupied between the late fifth/early sixth
century CE and the mid eighth century CE. After a case of arson, the reasons for which remain
unknown, Zalabiyeh appears to have been abandoned leading us to conclude that it was only active
for approximately 250 years.