Edge of Empire: Archaeology on the Assyrian Frontier

Discover the archaeological wonders of Tell Ahmar, a Neo Assyrian colony on the edge of the empire.

For over a decade archaeologists from the University of Melbourne have been excavating the Neo Assyrian site at Tell Ahmar on the east bank of the Euphrates.

Shalmaneser III conquered the town in 856 BCE and transformed it into an Assyrian royal city. Many features of this outpost are dominated by Assyrian traditions – town planning, defences, palace architecture, sculpture, and other luxury artefacts reflect strong cultural influences from the Assyrian heartland.

This lecture will examine the Neo Assyrian colony of Tell Ahmar, located on the edge of the empire, and the archaeology of the Assyrian frontier.

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM