Archaeological and Geomagnetic Implications of New Archaeomagnetic Intensity Data from the Early Bronze High Terrace ‘Massif Rouge’ at Mari (Tell Hariri, Syria)

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We present new archaeointensity data from the Mesopotamian city of Mari (Syria), in particular from the high terrace ‘Massif Rouge’ dated at c.2550 bce. These data were obtained using the experimental protocol developed for the Triaxe magnetometer. They allow for increased confidence in a strong geomagnetic field intensity maximum during the 26th century bce. They also show that the second urban phase of Mari (‘ville II’) was marked by a decrease in the geomagnetic field intensity. We use this evolution to propose a relative chronology between different ensembles of fragments, thus highlighting some renovations in the Royal Palace of ville II.