Located 10 kilometers away from the İslahiye district center, work at the Zincirli Mound had been suspended for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, picking back up recently for an eight-week excavation program.

Excavation began at three different sites in a 40-hectare area, directed by Chicago University's Prof. David Schloen who leads a group of 40 people including students and 15 archaeologists. 

Co-director of the excavation, Virginia Herrmann, said that the worksite included structures that were used as kitchens and grain depots, adding that they are continuing excavating residences.

The ancient site also revealed stelas, statues, make-up boxes and two lion sphinxes dating back to the Iron and Middle Ages, excavation official Kate Morgan added.