Telul eth-Thalathat is an archaeological site located 40 mi west of Mosul and just east of Tal Afar in Nineveh Province (Iraq).

Archaeology

The site consists of at least five separate tells or settlement mounds. Telul eth-Thalathat was excavated for four seasons between 1956 and 1965 and again in 1976 by a team from the University of Tokyo Iraq-Iran Archaeological Expedition. The main focus was to establish a complete Ninevite 5 sequence at Tell V. The first two seasons, in 1956 and 1957, were led by N. Egami and worked at Tell II. Burials, residential areas, and a presumed temple were uncovered. The final season was led by S. Fukai. Among the small finds was a small square stamp seal with two human figures dated to the late 4th or early 5th millennium BC.

Occupation history

Telul eth-Thalathat was occupied in the Ubaid, Nineveh 5, and Uruk periods, as well as during Middle Assyrian times. Excavations have revealed over 20 kilns and a number of burials, as well as some figurines and spindle whorls. Eleven Neolithic clay tokens were also recovered. On Tell V a single period Ninevite 5 settlement was found. It included a 6 by 18 meter building interpreted as a granary. Tell II showed occupation from the Pottery Neolithic to Middle Uruk periods.