Ugarit Overview

Ugarit = c. 1500-1200 B.C. site, excavated since the 1930's by the French.

Ras Ibn Hani is a few km away and has a palace for the royals. Minat al-Beida, the port of Ugarit cannot be visitted, its a military port.

Ugarit was a wealthy site due to trading via the sea and land. Lots of art found here from Cyprus, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and beyond. Also text in various languages.

Ugarit is probably most famous for the texts found in excavations written in a 29 letter, wedge-shaped alphabet. The language was a local script, but it is one of thhe earliest attestations of the alphabet.

The site has a huge palace that was multiple floors, all built in stone, and at least 2 temples plus lots of local residences. Bring good walking shoes as the site is covered in brush and pretty buggy.