Assyrian trading colonies (Kanesh)

Assyrian trading colonies (Kanesh) was a colony in Anatolia (Middle East) that lasted from c. 1950 to 1750 BCE, about 200 years. Its people spoke Semitic languages (Akkadian, Amorite, Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician, Ge'ez, Amharic, Tigrinya).

Merchants from Assur ran trading quarters in Anatolian cities, swapping tin and textiles for silver. Over 20,000 clay tablets from Kanesh are the oldest written records in Anatolia.

See Assyrian trading colonies (Kanesh) on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 1950 to 1750 BCE
Duration: 200 years
Type: Colony
Region: Anatolia, Middle East
Language family: Semitic
Capital: Kanesh (Kültepe)

Events in Middle East during its time

1754 BCE Code of Hammurabi

Neighbours in Middle East

Old Babylonian Empire 1894 to 1595 BCE
Ebla c. 3000 to 1600 BCE
Old Elamite period c. 2700 to 1500 BCE
Mari c. 2900 to 1761 BCE
Yamhad c. 1810 to 1517 BCE
Dilmun c. 2800 to 544 BCE
Troy c. 3000 to 1180 BCE
Byblos c. 2800 to 1200 BCE
Qatna c. 2000 to 1340 BCE
Old Assyrian city-state c. 2025 to 1365 BCE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Minoan civilization c. 3100 to 1450 BCE, Europe

Questions

When did Assyrian trading colonies (Kanesh) exist?

c. 1950 to 1750 BCE, about 200 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Assyrian trading colonies (Kanesh)?

Anatolia, in Middle East. Its capital was Kanesh (Kültepe).

What language did Assyrian trading colonies (Kanesh) speak?

Semitic. This family includes Akkadian, Amorite, Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician, Ge'ez, Amharic, Tigrinya.