Recent Publications

Cohen, Y.; N. Anor: Forging an Empire (II): The Borders of Carchemish According to CTH 50 (Fs de Martino, 2020).

This article is part of an ongoing research about Hittite rule and administration of Northern Syria, which, following the conquests of Šuppiluliuma and his heirs, became part of the Hittite Empire. 1 Here we consider CTH 50, a diplomatic document that contains a description of the borders of the kingdom of Carchemish under Hittite rule. We will introduce the source, provide an edition, and conclude with a geo-political consideration of the toponyms it mentions.

Cohen, Y.: Forging an Empire (I): The Land of Aštata According to the Šattiwaza Treaty (CTH 51) and Additional Sources (Fs Charpin, 2019)

This paper offers an analysis of the border descriptions of the Land of Ashtata according to the Shattiwaza Treaty (CTH 51). It also considers sources from Hattusha, Emar, Ugarit, and elsewhere, relating to Ashtata. The purpose is to revisit the borders of the Land of Ashtata, try to establish its location and discuss its relationship with the city of Emar and the Hittite Empire in Syria.

Cohen, Y.: Cuneiform Writing in Bronze Age Canaan (in Yasur-Landau, A.; E.H. Cline; Y.M. Rowan, eds., The Social Archaeology of The Levant: From Prehistory to Present, 2019)

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss cuenform writing as a reflection of literacy in Bronze Age Canaan. It will show what cuneiform inscribed artifacts (mainly tablets and seals) can tell us about the way cuneiform literacy was achieved, and how, once achieved, writing was involved in the politis, economy, and social life in Canaan. The conclusion of the chapter evaluates the spread of literacy and the scope of cuneiform writing in Canaan.

Torrecilla, E.; Y. Cohen: On the Emar 'Problem Documents' and the Practice of (Re)producing Deeds (Aula Orientalis 37, 2019)

This paper discusses the chronological issues arising from several Emar Syrian tablets (ASJ 14 311, AuOr 5 15, E 180, RE 81 and TBR 13), given that several of the individuals in their witness lists — including the scribes — were probably deceased when the deeds were produced. Hence, an analysis of these ‘Problem Documents’ is carried out in order to understand the nature of their contradictory features. Parallels found in other ancient Near Eastern archives (Mari, Nippur, and Ugarit) are also considered.

Torrecilla, E.: The Dwellers of Azû. A Study on the Tell Hadidi Society and Chronology (Altorientalische Forschungen 46, 2019).

This paper focuses on the individuals attested in the 15 texts from Azû in order to sketch the inner chronology of the corpus. The published studies on the Ekalte and Emar generations are also used to establish a chronological link between the three Syrian archives. In addition, data from the administrative apparatus of the city (institutions, professions, scribes) will be gathered for the sake of narrowing down the social and cultural contexts of the three Syrian archives from the Middle Euphrates not long before the Hittites assumed control of the area.

Torrecilla, E.; Y. Cohen: A Mittani Letter-Order from Azû (Had 8) and Its Implications for the Chronology and History of the Middle Euphrates Region in the Late Bronze Age (Revue d'Assyriologie 112, 2018)

Had 8 (H76-T07) is a small and unassuming tablet from Azu (Tell Hadidi).2 It measures according to our estimate 4.5 x 4.5 cm. It holds on its obverse only eight lines, and on its reverse a cylinder seal was impressed. The tablet received a preliminary treatment, but since parts of it were not fully read, its implications regarding the history and chronology of Azu were not appreciated. We will argue that Had 8 is a Mittani letter order exchanged between two Hurrian officials. We bring an edition of the text followed by a short textual commentary. Then we will discuss the historical and chronological implications of this document.

Cohen, Y.; M. Viano: A Land-Grant Document from Emar: A (Re-)Edition and Discussion of LN-104 (AKA Gs-Kutscher 6) (KASKAL 13, 2016)

The text LN-104, which the authors re-examine thanks to excellent photographs, is one of the key sources relating to the history and chronology of Emar. This text is an important witness for the existence of the so-called 'First Dynasty' in the city, allowing us to reconfigure the political state of things at Emar prior to Hittite rule. It is also one of the few documents from Emar that contains an historical narrative.

Cohen, Y.: The Scribal Traditions of Late Bronze Age Emar (Studia Chaburensia 5, 2016)

A study of the two different types of script found in the Emar documents, commonly known as 'Syrian' and 'Syro-Hittite' traditions. These two types cut across all textual genres and they are distinct enough to be rather effortlessly detected whether in documentary sources, ritual texts or schooling materials.