Shalfak

The fortress occupies a roughly triangular area of about 1800 m², adapted to the available ground. Its massive mudbrick wall still stands up to 6 metres high and 8 meters thick. Three spur walls, towards the north, west and east, complete the fortification system. The eastern wall protects a stairway leading down to the river to ensure access to a water supply in the case of siege. The internal structures are very well preserved including a command building, barracks, workshops, storerooms and a granary arranged in a grid plan.

Excavations were conducted in February and March 1931 by a team of the Harvard University and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston under Noel F. Wheeler. Since 2017, a team under Claudia Näser from University College London is excavating again.