Qadesh and Qatna

Qadesh = Tell Nebi Mend / Nebi Mendo

Qadesh Highlights:
E - Orontes river: Ramses claims the Hittite drowned trying to swim across the river when retreating. Today, the river is hardly more than a meandering stream.
M - Visions of movie battles dance through head (Think Troy, 300). Later realizes battle in 1200 BC isn't so epic or well organized.
E - The MOUND. According to records of the battle, the army opposing Ramses camped behind the city. The mound is big enough and high enough to theoretically hide a large group of soldiers behind. A whole army???
M - The wind. Near Homs is the only break in the mountains that run N-S along the coast of Syria and Lebanon. This "Homs gap" is famous for the strong wind, and we definatley felt it. E wished she had bought a hat with a strap.


Directions from Damascus:
Drive twoards Homs
Take the turn off before Homs for Al Qusayr
Arriving in Al Qusayr, ask directions for Nebi Mend(o)
Nebi Mendo is about a 4km drive past Al Qusayr
You will pass the Orontes river and see in the distance a tell rising above the rest of the land.
There is a small village covering part of the ancient mound
You can drive up on the mound and wander for the scenery / view of the land



Qatna Highlights:
M and E - First excavated tell!! (Fun to wander, not well labelled.)
M - The ramparts from the distance. The city ramparts surround a 100 hectare site, in a square. Atop these ramparts (large hills now), views of the entire site are possible. Also, the inside of the site lies c. 10 meters below the top of these hills. Felt like we were inside a crater.
E - Multiple occupation layers. Ancient city rebuilt several times. More recent ruins as well. Also, sites are excavated in grids where small squares of space are excavated. This means you have to be able to see the difference between the walls of the excavations and the ancient walls of rooms and buildings. E's archaeological eyes need more training.
M - Saw 2 bones aying near the more recent ruins. Got hungry.
E - Sheep grazing in the far corner fo the tell. baaaa. (M saw dog in distance, got scared (re-occuring theme).)


Directions from Homs:
Take the raod towards Salamiyya
Go to Mishrife (on the road to Salamiyya)
Ignore the sign that says ancient tell
Take the first major left after the sign for the tell
Entrance for site at the end of the road
(There is a visitor's sign in around the corner from the entrance)



SEE QADESH AND QATNA HERE