A Palace Collapses, A Tomb Survives
Beneath the ruins of the Royal Palace at Qatna, an ancient city now called Tell Mishrifeh, archaeologists found a pristine royal tomb in 2002. A 40-meter-long corridor, sloping down from the palace's ceremonial hall, leads to a five-meter-deep shaft that opens into the burial chambers. The tomb complex consists of a central chamber and three side rooms, all cut into the bedrock. This subterranean vault was sealed around 1340 BCE when the Hittite empire conquered and burned the palace above it. The collapse of the upper structure protected the tomb from ancient looters, preserving it for over three millennia.
Inside, excavators found the remains of at least 30 individuals. The burials contained a mix of local and foreign luxury goods, evidence of Qatna's position as a major trade hub on the route between Mesopotamia, the Mediterranean, and Egypt. Hundreds of gold and glass beads were found, along with pottery, golden belts, and a gold bowl. Analysis confirmed that some artifacts were made of Baltic amber, including about 90 beads and a vessel shaped like a lion's head. Egyptian objects were also present, including two serpentine vessels from the 12th Dynasty (c. 1900-1800 BCE) that were already 500-year-old heirlooms at the time of their burial. The presence of Aegean-style craftsmanship has led to theories that Aegean artists may have worked in Qatna's local workshops.