Ancestral origins: northern Levantine Funerary Palaces in the Middle Bronze Age

Abstract

While typically considered a south Levantine palace form, recent research suggests that the Middle Bronze Age Funerary Palace type has its origins in the northern Levant. The Western Palace at Ebla (Building Q) has long been known to feature similarities in plan, layout and contents with south Levantine forms. Of particular note is the shared funerary association in both southern and northern examples, specifically the discovery of elite, possibly royal interments, and associated retainer burials, in association with these complexes. In addition to Ebla, other palace complexes from the northern Levant, broadly defined, should be considered as examples of the Funerary Palace form, namely Byblos and Tell el-Burak. This paper will outline the evidence in support of this association and explore the ramifications of a broadly northern origin of the Funerary Palace form in wider considerations on the nature of MBA urbanism more generally.