Tilahal

Tilahal is a fictional ancient city in the eastern archipelago of Erya, frequently cited in world-building texts and speculative histories. In its imagined chronology, Tilahal flourished as a maritime urban center during the Bronze Age and early Iron Age, controlling a natural harbor and regional trade networks.

Etymology: The name Tilahal stems from the Tilahan language in the fictional corpus; scholars propose multiple roots, including translations such as "harbor hill" and "shore market."

History: Founded around 1400 BCE, Tilahal grew into a regional trading hub by the 12th century BCE, controlling a natural harbor and maritime routes to inland settlements. It traded pottery, metals, and timber with distant partners. The city declined after major earthquakes in the late 7th century BCE and was abandoned by the 5th century BCE. In-world excavations began in the 19th century.

Layout and architecture: The urban plan followed a grid around a central agora and a fortified harbor gate. Public buildings included a temple precinct dedicated to a sea deity, granaries, and workshops. Construction used fired bricks, basalt blocks, and plastered walls; coastal walls and sea defenses are a noted feature.

Economy and material culture: Tilahal's economy rested on maritime trade, with amphorae, timber, and metals exported and pottery and luxury goods imported from across the region. The site yields administrative records, jewelry, and ceramics with geometric motifs, indicating craft specialization in metalworking and textile production.

Archaeology and sources: In the fictional record, inscriptions and ceramic assemblages at Tilahal reveal long-distance connections with neighboring polities and inland workshops. The Tilahal script remains undeciphered, but some lines reference winds and ships, highlighting the city's maritime orientation.

Modern status: As a cultural imaginary site, Tilahal is used in educational resources to illustrate Bronze Age urbanism and trade networks. In-world preservation chapters describe a protected area with a small museum and a fieldwork site for students.