Tell Halaf relief of a leopard

myminifactory

Situated at the source of the Habur River in northeastern Syria, Tell Halaf was unearthed between 1911 and 1921 by a German team led by Baron Max von Oppenheim. Significant areas of the ancient Iron Age settlement (circa 1200-900 B.C.) were exposed to view. Governed by an Aramaean clan, the city, known as Guzana in biblical times (Old Testament reference: Gozan), reached its zenith of prosperity around the midpoint of the tenth century B.C. under King Kapara's rule. The foundation of the south wall of Kapara's palace was adorned with 187 intricate reliefs carved into black basalt and alternating with limestone tinted a reddish hue.