The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah (c. AD 637/8) was a crucial victory by the Arab Muslims over the forc... more The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah (c. AD 637/8) was a crucial victory by the Arab Muslims over the forces of the Sasanian Empire during the early Islamic conquests. Analysis of satellite imagery of south-west Iraq has now revealed the likely location of this important historic battle.
The Arabian Desert is characterised by very low rainfall and high evaporation, yet over 210 sprin... more The Arabian Desert is characterised by very low rainfall and high evaporation, yet over 210 springs are on its northeastern edge in central Iraq along the Abu Jir lineament, which represents the western depositional margin of a foreland basin infilled by the floodplain sediments of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; there is little evidence of faulting. The springs discharge from gently east-dipping Paleocene–Eocene limestones, either where groundwater flowpaths intersect the ground surface or where groundwater flow is forced to the surface by confining aquitards. Calculated annual recharge to the aquifer system across the Arabian Desert plateau (130–500 million m3) is significant, largely due to rapid infiltration through karst dolines, such that karst porosity is the primary enabler of groundwater recharge. The recharge is enough to maintain flow at the Abu Jir springs, but active management of groundwater extraction for agriculture is required for their long-term sustainability. The hydrochemistry of the springs is determined by evaporation, rainfall composition (high SO4 concentrations are due to the dissolution of wind-blown gypsum in rainfall), and plant uptake of Ca and K (despite the sparse vegetation). Limestone dissolution has relatively little impact; many of the springs are undersaturated with respect to calcite and lack tufa/travertine deposits. The springs at Hit-Kubaysa contain tar and high levels of H2S that probably seeped upwards along subvertical faults from underlying oil reservoirs; this is the only location along the Abu Jir lineament where deep-seated faults penetrate to the surface. The presence of hydrocarbons reduces the Hit-Kubaysa spring water and converts the dissolved SO4 to H2S.
Ur 1922–2022 Papers marking the centenary of Sir Leonard Woolley’s first season of excavations at Ur, 2024
This paper discusses the geomorphology of the Ur region and how archaeologists built their imagin... more This paper discusses the geomorphology of the Ur region and how archaeologists built their imagination about Ur throughout time. In this paper, I would argue that three geomorphological features significantly affected the Ur region and must be considered to understand the region’s history better. These features are the head of the Persian/Arab Gulf, the Euphrates and Tigris and the Marshes. However, due to the lack of comprehensive and detailed palaeogeographical studies of these three features, their impact on existing of the Ur region is still questionable and always discussed with doubt and uncertainty. Furthermore, there are no precise dates and locations of regression of the Gulf’s palaeoshorelines. Moreover, the changes in Tigris and Euphrates courses and how they built their delta are unclear. Finally, the marshes’ areas and their evolution during that time are ambiguous. In conclusion, without conducting more detailed and modern studies on these features, the geomorphology of the Ur region will not be fully understood and with it, the suggestions that archaeologists claimed regarding the role of the associated rivers, marshes and coastline on the inhabitants of the Ur region.
Earth surface processes and landforms, Feb 4, 2024
The water resource provided by lake basins in the western desert of Iraq is important for human o... more The water resource provided by lake basins in the western desert of Iraq is important for human occupation of areas outside the Tigris-Euphrates floodplain, both in the past and into the future. This paper presents the first geomorphological and geochronological study of the date of formation of the Najaf Sea and the only such study of
ABSTRACTMesopotamia is often regarded the “cradle of civilization.” The development of water mana... more ABSTRACTMesopotamia is often regarded the “cradle of civilization.” The development of water management practices in the region is thought to have played a key role in the emergence of these early civilizations. We present the first direct dating of a palaeo-canal system at the ancient city of Girsu, Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) (occupied between 4800 and 1600 BC). We describe the use of archaeological and radiocarbon (14C) dating techniques to establish the age of this canal system. Our results show considerable differences between shell 14C dates on the one hand and charcoal 14C dates and archaeological evidence on the other. This likely reflects the impact of freshwater reservoir effects from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Although the FRE from rivers is widely acknowledged, its impact on 14C dates in Mesopotamia is rarely discussed and poorly understood. Our results provide a first indication of its variability and magnitude. With the publication of our results we aim to highligh...
The landscape of the Mesopotamian floodplain is mainly structured by channel processes, including... more The landscape of the Mesopotamian floodplain is mainly structured by channel processes, including the formation of levees, meanders, scrollbars, oxbow lakes, crevasse splays, distributary channels, inter-distributary bays, and marshes. Moreover, several human-made features also form and shape this landscape, such as canals, roads, trenches, farms, and settlement sites ranging in size from villages to cities. A significant part of the Mesopotamian floodplain is covered by marshes, especially the southern region. These marshlands have thrived for thousands of years and are well known for their sustainable biodiversity and ecosystem. However, after the deliberate draining of the marshes in the 1990s, the areas have become dry and only small areas of shallow water and narrow strips of vegetation remain. Several kinds of archaeological landscape features have appeared on the surface and can be clearly identified in both ground surveys and with the use of remote sensing tools. This paper ...
Archaeology in Iraq has always been bound up with its external and internal politics. Iraq's her... more Archaeology in Iraq has always been bound up with its external and internal politics. Iraq's heritage law was written in 1936, four years after Britain granted independence. The law was then rewritten in 2002. But in neither case were the Iraqi heritage authorities capable enough to create a heritage law that served the country's actual needs.
The water resource provided by lake basins in the western desert of Iraq is important for human o... more The water resource provided by lake basins in the western desert of Iraq is important for human occupation of areas outside the Tigris-Euphrates floodplain, both in the past and into the future. This paper presents the first geomorphological and geochronological study of the date of formation of the Najaf Sea and the only such study of
Mesopotamia is often regarded the "cradle of civilization." The development of water management p... more Mesopotamia is often regarded the "cradle of civilization." The development of water management practices in the region is thought to have played a key role in the emergence of these early civilizations. We present the first direct dating of a palaeo-canal system at the ancient city of Girsu, Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) (occupied between 4800 and 1600 BC). We describe the use of archaeological and radiocarbon (14 C) dating techniques to establish the age of this canal system. Our results show considerable differences between shell 14 C dates on the one hand and charcoal 14 C dates and archaeological evidence on the other. This likely reflects the impact of freshwater reservoir effects from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Although the FRE from rivers is widely acknowledged, its impact on 14 C dates in Mesopotamia is rarely discussed and poorly understood. Our results provide a first indication of its variability and magnitude. With the publication of our results we aim to highlight the problem and re-initiate collaborative research efforts in improving 14 C dating in this important region.
Kratkie Soobshchenia Instituta Arkheologii [Short Publications of the Institute of Archaeology], 2022
During the second season of the Iraqi-Russian Multidisciplinary Project at Tell Dehaila-1 in Sout... more During the second season of the Iraqi-Russian Multidisciplinary Project at Tell Dehaila-1 in Southern Iraq (Fig. 1: 1), two soundings were excavated down to the virgin soil, No. 1 on the edge of the latest Eridu River floodplain (Fig. 1: 2; 3: 1) and No. 2 in the central part of the city (Fig. 1: 2; 2). The earliest occupation layer in Sounding 1 reposes on a sterile man-made ballast brought from the river to protect the habitable surface from seasonal flooding (Fig. 3: 1). In Sounding 2, a monumental system of mudbrick structures was uncovered, including a wall 4 m wide, preserved to a height of 2 m including a 1 m high foundation (Fig. 2). The foundation of this wall was built upon a crevasse splay, a strong argument in favour of this area being the place of the initial building activity at the site. The character of the uncovered structures suggests they were part of the inner walls of the sacred area (temenos) dating to the first half of the 2nd millennium BC. New surface and stratified finds of objects datable to the 1st millennium BCE speak for a later presence at Tell Dehaila as well; however, the late occupation phase within the sounding on the temenos is represented only by a semi-nomadic camp.
The landscape of the Mesopotamian floodplain is mainly structured by channel processes, includin... more The landscape of the Mesopotamian floodplain is mainly structured by channel processes, including the formation of levees, meanders, scrollbars, oxbow lakes, crevasse splays, distributary channels, inter-distributary bays, and marshes. Moreover, several human-made features also form and shape this landscape, such as canals, roads, trenches, farms, and settlement sites ranging in size from villages to cities. A significant part of the Mesopotamian floodplain is covered by marshes, especially the southern region. These marshlands have thrived for thousands of years and are well known for their sustainable biodiversity and ecosystem. However, after the deliberate draining of the marshes in the 1990s, the areas have become dry and only small areas of shallow water and narrow strips of vegetation remain. Several kinds of archaeological landscape features have appeared on the surface and can be clearly identified in both ground surveys and with the use of remote sensing tools. This paper aims to determine the type and nature of the preserved archaeological features that appear in the landscape of the dried marshes and whether they are different from other features elsewhere in the Mesopotamian floodplain. An intensive ground survey was carried out in a selected area of the dried marshland, resulting in the identification of six types of archaeological features: Settlement sites, rivers, canals, farms, grooves, and roads (hollow ways). These features used to be covered by bodies of deep water and dense zones of vegetation (reeds and papyrus).
The Sumerian culture flourished within the Tigris and Euphrates rivers floodplains and along thei... more The Sumerian culture flourished within the Tigris and Euphrates rivers floodplains and along their deltaic systems, which ca. 6000 yr were located ~250–260 km inland from the present Persian Gulf. Here, large floodplains and marshes were crossed by an intricate network of channels where several human settlements developed. In this paper, we describe in detail the paleoenvironmental context where the site of Abu Tbeirah (third millennium BC) developed, near the Sumerian capital of Ur. Our interdisciplinary approach, based on remote sensing and the geomorphological study of the area, as well as on sedimentological, paleontological, and paleobotanical analyses of trenches and boreholes deposits, reveals that the site developed along a sinuous channel in a floodplain and marshy environment, where several crevasse splays occurred. This channel was cut off following a flood event. The abandoned portion of the channel was exploited by residents and used as a small river harbor. Our researc...
Abstract In this detailed petrological analysis of a large source-to-sink sediment-routing system... more Abstract In this detailed petrological analysis of a large source-to-sink sediment-routing system (catchment area > 1 million km2) we document its several peculiarities, and illustrate a rich petrographic and heavy-mineral dataset integrated by bulk-sediment geochemistry and detrital-zircon U-Pb geochronological data that widens the spectrum of compositions generally assumed as paradigmatic for orogenic settings. We test traditional versus upgraded sedimentary-petrology models in the endeavor to derive a more refined conceptual model of reference, in order to enhance the power of provenance analysis but also to define its limitations and understand which secret of nature is likely to remain beyond reach in our efforts to reconstruct orogenic landscapes of the past. Sands derived from the Zagros-Southeast Anatolian fold-thrust belt contain an abundance of lithic grains derived not only first-cycle from carbonates, cherts, mudrocks, arc volcanics, and obducted mantle serpentinites representing the exposed shallow structural level of the orogen, but also recycled from Neogene molassic strata exposed in the foothills. Quartz, K-feldspar and mica are equally scarce in first-cycle and recycled sediments. This quartz-poor petrographic signature, characterizing the broad undissected tectonic domain of the Anatolia-Iranian plateau, is markedly distinct from that of sands shed by highly elevated and dissected collision orogens of the same mountain system such as the Himalaya or the Alps. Arid climate in the region allows full preservation of chemically unstable grains including carbonate and mafic/ultramafic rock fragments even through more than a single sedimentary cycle. Also, it reduces transport capacity of fluvial systems, which dump most of their load in Mesopotamian marshlands upstream of the Arabian/Persian Gulf allochemical carbonate factory. Quartz-poor orogenic sediments from the Zagros-Southeast Anatolian range mix with quartz-rich recycled sands ultimately derived from Arabia all along the western side of the foreland basin, and are traced along the Gulf shores as far as the northeastern edge of the Rub’ al-Khali sand sea ca. 4000 km from the Euphrates headwaters.
The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah (c. AD 637/8) was a crucial victory by the Arab Muslims over the forc... more The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah (c. AD 637/8) was a crucial victory by the Arab Muslims over the forces of the Sasanian Empire during the early Islamic conquests. Analysis of satellite imagery of south-west Iraq has now revealed the likely location of this important historic battle.
The Arabian Desert is characterised by very low rainfall and high evaporation, yet over 210 sprin... more The Arabian Desert is characterised by very low rainfall and high evaporation, yet over 210 springs are on its northeastern edge in central Iraq along the Abu Jir lineament, which represents the western depositional margin of a foreland basin infilled by the floodplain sediments of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; there is little evidence of faulting. The springs discharge from gently east-dipping Paleocene–Eocene limestones, either where groundwater flowpaths intersect the ground surface or where groundwater flow is forced to the surface by confining aquitards. Calculated annual recharge to the aquifer system across the Arabian Desert plateau (130–500 million m3) is significant, largely due to rapid infiltration through karst dolines, such that karst porosity is the primary enabler of groundwater recharge. The recharge is enough to maintain flow at the Abu Jir springs, but active management of groundwater extraction for agriculture is required for their long-term sustainability. The hydrochemistry of the springs is determined by evaporation, rainfall composition (high SO4 concentrations are due to the dissolution of wind-blown gypsum in rainfall), and plant uptake of Ca and K (despite the sparse vegetation). Limestone dissolution has relatively little impact; many of the springs are undersaturated with respect to calcite and lack tufa/travertine deposits. The springs at Hit-Kubaysa contain tar and high levels of H2S that probably seeped upwards along subvertical faults from underlying oil reservoirs; this is the only location along the Abu Jir lineament where deep-seated faults penetrate to the surface. The presence of hydrocarbons reduces the Hit-Kubaysa spring water and converts the dissolved SO4 to H2S.
Ur 1922–2022 Papers marking the centenary of Sir Leonard Woolley’s first season of excavations at Ur, 2024
This paper discusses the geomorphology of the Ur region and how archaeologists built their imagin... more This paper discusses the geomorphology of the Ur region and how archaeologists built their imagination about Ur throughout time. In this paper, I would argue that three geomorphological features significantly affected the Ur region and must be considered to understand the region’s history better. These features are the head of the Persian/Arab Gulf, the Euphrates and Tigris and the Marshes. However, due to the lack of comprehensive and detailed palaeogeographical studies of these three features, their impact on existing of the Ur region is still questionable and always discussed with doubt and uncertainty. Furthermore, there are no precise dates and locations of regression of the Gulf’s palaeoshorelines. Moreover, the changes in Tigris and Euphrates courses and how they built their delta are unclear. Finally, the marshes’ areas and their evolution during that time are ambiguous. In conclusion, without conducting more detailed and modern studies on these features, the geomorphology of the Ur region will not be fully understood and with it, the suggestions that archaeologists claimed regarding the role of the associated rivers, marshes and coastline on the inhabitants of the Ur region.
Earth surface processes and landforms, Feb 4, 2024
The water resource provided by lake basins in the western desert of Iraq is important for human o... more The water resource provided by lake basins in the western desert of Iraq is important for human occupation of areas outside the Tigris-Euphrates floodplain, both in the past and into the future. This paper presents the first geomorphological and geochronological study of the date of formation of the Najaf Sea and the only such study of
ABSTRACTMesopotamia is often regarded the “cradle of civilization.” The development of water mana... more ABSTRACTMesopotamia is often regarded the “cradle of civilization.” The development of water management practices in the region is thought to have played a key role in the emergence of these early civilizations. We present the first direct dating of a palaeo-canal system at the ancient city of Girsu, Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) (occupied between 4800 and 1600 BC). We describe the use of archaeological and radiocarbon (14C) dating techniques to establish the age of this canal system. Our results show considerable differences between shell 14C dates on the one hand and charcoal 14C dates and archaeological evidence on the other. This likely reflects the impact of freshwater reservoir effects from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Although the FRE from rivers is widely acknowledged, its impact on 14C dates in Mesopotamia is rarely discussed and poorly understood. Our results provide a first indication of its variability and magnitude. With the publication of our results we aim to highligh...
The landscape of the Mesopotamian floodplain is mainly structured by channel processes, including... more The landscape of the Mesopotamian floodplain is mainly structured by channel processes, including the formation of levees, meanders, scrollbars, oxbow lakes, crevasse splays, distributary channels, inter-distributary bays, and marshes. Moreover, several human-made features also form and shape this landscape, such as canals, roads, trenches, farms, and settlement sites ranging in size from villages to cities. A significant part of the Mesopotamian floodplain is covered by marshes, especially the southern region. These marshlands have thrived for thousands of years and are well known for their sustainable biodiversity and ecosystem. However, after the deliberate draining of the marshes in the 1990s, the areas have become dry and only small areas of shallow water and narrow strips of vegetation remain. Several kinds of archaeological landscape features have appeared on the surface and can be clearly identified in both ground surveys and with the use of remote sensing tools. This paper ...
Archaeology in Iraq has always been bound up with its external and internal politics. Iraq's her... more Archaeology in Iraq has always been bound up with its external and internal politics. Iraq's heritage law was written in 1936, four years after Britain granted independence. The law was then rewritten in 2002. But in neither case were the Iraqi heritage authorities capable enough to create a heritage law that served the country's actual needs.
The water resource provided by lake basins in the western desert of Iraq is important for human o... more The water resource provided by lake basins in the western desert of Iraq is important for human occupation of areas outside the Tigris-Euphrates floodplain, both in the past and into the future. This paper presents the first geomorphological and geochronological study of the date of formation of the Najaf Sea and the only such study of
Mesopotamia is often regarded the "cradle of civilization." The development of water management p... more Mesopotamia is often regarded the "cradle of civilization." The development of water management practices in the region is thought to have played a key role in the emergence of these early civilizations. We present the first direct dating of a palaeo-canal system at the ancient city of Girsu, Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) (occupied between 4800 and 1600 BC). We describe the use of archaeological and radiocarbon (14 C) dating techniques to establish the age of this canal system. Our results show considerable differences between shell 14 C dates on the one hand and charcoal 14 C dates and archaeological evidence on the other. This likely reflects the impact of freshwater reservoir effects from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Although the FRE from rivers is widely acknowledged, its impact on 14 C dates in Mesopotamia is rarely discussed and poorly understood. Our results provide a first indication of its variability and magnitude. With the publication of our results we aim to highlight the problem and re-initiate collaborative research efforts in improving 14 C dating in this important region.
Kratkie Soobshchenia Instituta Arkheologii [Short Publications of the Institute of Archaeology], 2022
During the second season of the Iraqi-Russian Multidisciplinary Project at Tell Dehaila-1 in Sout... more During the second season of the Iraqi-Russian Multidisciplinary Project at Tell Dehaila-1 in Southern Iraq (Fig. 1: 1), two soundings were excavated down to the virgin soil, No. 1 on the edge of the latest Eridu River floodplain (Fig. 1: 2; 3: 1) and No. 2 in the central part of the city (Fig. 1: 2; 2). The earliest occupation layer in Sounding 1 reposes on a sterile man-made ballast brought from the river to protect the habitable surface from seasonal flooding (Fig. 3: 1). In Sounding 2, a monumental system of mudbrick structures was uncovered, including a wall 4 m wide, preserved to a height of 2 m including a 1 m high foundation (Fig. 2). The foundation of this wall was built upon a crevasse splay, a strong argument in favour of this area being the place of the initial building activity at the site. The character of the uncovered structures suggests they were part of the inner walls of the sacred area (temenos) dating to the first half of the 2nd millennium BC. New surface and stratified finds of objects datable to the 1st millennium BCE speak for a later presence at Tell Dehaila as well; however, the late occupation phase within the sounding on the temenos is represented only by a semi-nomadic camp.
The landscape of the Mesopotamian floodplain is mainly structured by channel processes, includin... more The landscape of the Mesopotamian floodplain is mainly structured by channel processes, including the formation of levees, meanders, scrollbars, oxbow lakes, crevasse splays, distributary channels, inter-distributary bays, and marshes. Moreover, several human-made features also form and shape this landscape, such as canals, roads, trenches, farms, and settlement sites ranging in size from villages to cities. A significant part of the Mesopotamian floodplain is covered by marshes, especially the southern region. These marshlands have thrived for thousands of years and are well known for their sustainable biodiversity and ecosystem. However, after the deliberate draining of the marshes in the 1990s, the areas have become dry and only small areas of shallow water and narrow strips of vegetation remain. Several kinds of archaeological landscape features have appeared on the surface and can be clearly identified in both ground surveys and with the use of remote sensing tools. This paper aims to determine the type and nature of the preserved archaeological features that appear in the landscape of the dried marshes and whether they are different from other features elsewhere in the Mesopotamian floodplain. An intensive ground survey was carried out in a selected area of the dried marshland, resulting in the identification of six types of archaeological features: Settlement sites, rivers, canals, farms, grooves, and roads (hollow ways). These features used to be covered by bodies of deep water and dense zones of vegetation (reeds and papyrus).
The Sumerian culture flourished within the Tigris and Euphrates rivers floodplains and along thei... more The Sumerian culture flourished within the Tigris and Euphrates rivers floodplains and along their deltaic systems, which ca. 6000 yr were located ~250–260 km inland from the present Persian Gulf. Here, large floodplains and marshes were crossed by an intricate network of channels where several human settlements developed. In this paper, we describe in detail the paleoenvironmental context where the site of Abu Tbeirah (third millennium BC) developed, near the Sumerian capital of Ur. Our interdisciplinary approach, based on remote sensing and the geomorphological study of the area, as well as on sedimentological, paleontological, and paleobotanical analyses of trenches and boreholes deposits, reveals that the site developed along a sinuous channel in a floodplain and marshy environment, where several crevasse splays occurred. This channel was cut off following a flood event. The abandoned portion of the channel was exploited by residents and used as a small river harbor. Our researc...
Abstract In this detailed petrological analysis of a large source-to-sink sediment-routing system... more Abstract In this detailed petrological analysis of a large source-to-sink sediment-routing system (catchment area > 1 million km2) we document its several peculiarities, and illustrate a rich petrographic and heavy-mineral dataset integrated by bulk-sediment geochemistry and detrital-zircon U-Pb geochronological data that widens the spectrum of compositions generally assumed as paradigmatic for orogenic settings. We test traditional versus upgraded sedimentary-petrology models in the endeavor to derive a more refined conceptual model of reference, in order to enhance the power of provenance analysis but also to define its limitations and understand which secret of nature is likely to remain beyond reach in our efforts to reconstruct orogenic landscapes of the past. Sands derived from the Zagros-Southeast Anatolian fold-thrust belt contain an abundance of lithic grains derived not only first-cycle from carbonates, cherts, mudrocks, arc volcanics, and obducted mantle serpentinites representing the exposed shallow structural level of the orogen, but also recycled from Neogene molassic strata exposed in the foothills. Quartz, K-feldspar and mica are equally scarce in first-cycle and recycled sediments. This quartz-poor petrographic signature, characterizing the broad undissected tectonic domain of the Anatolia-Iranian plateau, is markedly distinct from that of sands shed by highly elevated and dissected collision orogens of the same mountain system such as the Himalaya or the Alps. Arid climate in the region allows full preservation of chemically unstable grains including carbonate and mafic/ultramafic rock fragments even through more than a single sedimentary cycle. Also, it reduces transport capacity of fluvial systems, which dump most of their load in Mesopotamian marshlands upstream of the Arabian/Persian Gulf allochemical carbonate factory. Quartz-poor orogenic sediments from the Zagros-Southeast Anatolian range mix with quartz-rich recycled sands ultimately derived from Arabia all along the western side of the foreland basin, and are traced along the Gulf shores as far as the northeastern edge of the Rub’ al-Khali sand sea ca. 4000 km from the Euphrates headwaters.
The title of this conference is (The Archaeology of Mesopotamia is the Memory of Generations and ... more The title of this conference is (The Archaeology of Mesopotamia is the Memory of Generations and their Glory) https://conf.qu.edu.iq/icma/ الصفحة 3 من 16 3 Richard Wilding: Opportunities and challenges for economic diversification, community engagement and sustainability through cultural tourism in Iraq .
According to historians/historical sources the Khandaq Shapur was dug between Hit and the Persian... more According to historians/historical sources the Khandaq Shapur was dug between Hit and the Persian Gulf in A.D. 324 under the orders of Shapur II (A.D. 309-379) to serve as a defensive feature against pastoralist populations (Spring 2015; Shahid 1995; Gibb 1954; LeStrange 1905). It was restored two hundred years later by Khosrow I (A.D. 531-579) who employed the Lakhmids along this same frontier to defend against nomadic Arabs or Bedhouin (Spring 2015; Gibb 1954). Later, the feature became a famous source of water and the site of the Battle of Karbala, becoming known to the people who live(d) alongside it as a nahr or river (Nahr Alqami, Nahr Husseiny, Nahr Hneidy). The word khandaq can refer to a ditch, trench, or moat, and historians have variously described the Khandaq Shapur as a ditch, trench, moat, and canal (Spring 2015; Shahid 1995; Gibb 1954; LeStrange 1905). While historical sources highlight the Khandaq Shapur’s role in military, it is entirely possible that Khandaq Shapur had a much more complex and varied history until it fell out of use at an unknown date. The main aims of this project two-fold. First, to fill in the physical gaps in our knowledge of the Khandaq Shapur by mapping its full using a variety of sources and groundtruthing. Second to fill in the gaps of the history of the Khandaq Shapur by excavating a series of trenches through the khandaq. This paper presents the preliminary results from groundtruthing and excavation conducted 19 November to 17 December 2018.
Congratulations! To Jaafar Jotheri
In this issue we are introducing some new themes to the newsle... more Congratulations! To Jaafar Jotheri In this issue we are introducing some new themes to the newsletter. One of these new themes is called Congratulations. In each issue we will bring you the news of an assyriologist or archeologist who has, for example, published their first book, received an award, or, as is the case this time, defended their PhD! For our first installment of this new recurring theme, we would like to congratulate Dr. Jaafar Jotheri on obtaining his PhD degree in Geoarchaeology from Durham University last month.
The Mesopotamian floodplain was mainly formed from Holocene sediments of the Tigris and the Euphr... more The Mesopotamian floodplain was mainly formed from Holocene sediments of the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. These rivers have been subject to changes in their courses as a response to a wide range of autogenic, allogenic and human processes. As a result, intensive networks of abandoned channels (rivers and canals) were formed over time. However, the aims of this paper are to reconstruct the palaeochannels, to determine when these palaeochannels were formed and it was active and when it was abandoned and to identify the associated ancient human settlements with these palaeochannels. This research was carried out using a combination of geological, geomorphological, historical, ground-truthing and archaeological approaches, in addition to remote sensing and sample collection for radiocarbon dating. Satellite data including DigitalGlobe, SRTM, and CORONA are examined using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and several characters of visual interpretation are examined.
As a result, an intensive network of abandoned channels, detected in satellite images and confirmed by fieldwork, has been mapped. More than eight thousands archaeological sites have been recognized and plotted. The palaeochannels were dated into two ways: firstly, according to their associated archaeological sites; and secondly, according to the radiocarbon date of the organic materials taken from the sediment of these palaeochannels.
Tell al-Wilayah and the Eastern Watercourses of Iraq
Saturday, November 21st: 13.00, SOAS, Main... more Tell al-Wilayah and the Eastern Watercourses of Iraq
Saturday, November 21st: 13.00, SOAS, Main Building, L 67, London
Since the Iraqi excavations in the early 2000s at Tell Al-Wilayah, on the very East of the southern Iraqi alluvium (See the attached map), the site has been extensively looted. These excavations have recently been published in part. This large site is found in an anomalous position with regard to site distribution in southern Iraq, reasonably exposed by comparison to the main centres of settlement, from which it is separated by some distance and a poorly understood ancient landscape. The distribution of ancient watercourses in the area leading to it is still particularly unclear. An interesting collection of Sargonic Akkadian texts from the official Iraqi excavations is currently being prepared for publication by Abather Saadoon from the University of Baghdad, who is on a research visit to SOAS at the moment. We are taking this as an opportunity to hold an informal workshop on Tell Al-Wilayah, where issues of landscape, identification, history and economy can be discussed with a specific focus on this site. There will be a number of informal presentations with plenty of time for discussion afterwards. The times outlined below are for orientation purposes only.
13.00: Introduction: Mark Weeden 13.30: The Excavations at Tell Al-Wilayah: Mark Altaweel 14.30: ‘Sumer’s eastern gateway? The significance of Kesh (Wilayah?) In the early-mid third millennium BC’: Roger Matthews 16.00: The watercourses around Tell Al-Wilayah: Jaafar Jotheri 17.00: Texts from Tell Al-Wilayah: Abather Saadoon 18.00: Second millennium evidence relating to the geography of eastern Iraq: Andrew George
The Mesopotamian floodplain was mainly formed from Holocene sediments of the Tigris and the Euphr... more The Mesopotamian floodplain was mainly formed from Holocene sediments of the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. These rivers have been subject to changes in their courses as a response to a wide range of autogenic, allogenic and human processes. As a result, intensive networks of abandoned channels were formed over time.
Most of the abandoned channels have highly-elevated levees because channels accumulate sediments which are then incorporated into the alluvial zone by the aggrading surface of the river belt (which results in the growth in height of the levee). However, several highly-elevated levees show, in specific reaches, series of breakdowns or transversal gaps across the levees (see figure below as an example). These gaps form a top view feature, which is readily apparent in satellite imagery. This feature resembles a baguette (i.e. a series of such gaps make the levee looks like a baguette) which is why we suggest this term to describe it.
This feature can be formed when the older channel levees were cut by flooding of the younger channel. In other words, when the relatively highly-elevated palaeochannel levees act as a barrier to the active channel water (flood or crevasse splay), water crosses the levees from several locations. Over time these locations become trenches and waterways, transferring water to the other side of the barrier (levee).
More than thirteen cases of the feature here termed “baguette levees” have been identified in the Mesopotamian floodplain in the present study; the formation of all instances can be explained in the same way. Recognising this feature can help identify palaeochannels and also give a good indication of the relative age of different channels (i.e., the cutter is younger than the cuttee).
The Dujaila palaeocanal is located to the north of the southern marshes of Iraq. It has been wide... more The Dujaila palaeocanal is located to the north of the southern marshes of Iraq. It has been widely mentioned in historical texts but, unfortunately, few studies have attempted to explore and clarify this course as it exists on the ground. Therefore, the aims of this paper are to reconstruct the Dujaila palaeocanal course, to determine when this canal was active and when it was abandoned and to determine how many settlements were associated with this course. This research was carried out using a combination of geological, geomorphological, historical, ground-truthing and archaeological approaches, in addition to remote sensing and sample collection for radiocarbon dating. This study reveals that the Dujaila palaeocanal used to irrigate an area more than 100 km wide and more than 150 km long, transporting water from the western bank of the ancient Tigris, near the modern city of Kut, towards the south-west, passing the famous Islamic site of Wasit, before finally merging with the marshes. More than 500 human settlements were associated with this canal; most of these settlements were occupied from the Sasanian period (224-636 AD) to the Islamic period (636-1258 AD). Although some reaches of this river were already running during the Parthian period (330 BC-224 AD), the majority of this canal was dug and developed during the Sasanian period. This course continued to run during the Islamic period, but in the following years its discharge gradually dropped to below that of the main branch of the Tigris, before being completely abandoned in approximately 1930 AD. According to radiocarbon dating, most reaches of the Dujaila ran from Cal BP 1520 and started to dry up from Cal BP 1170.
To what extent may palaeochannels be accurately dated on the basis of their associated settlements?
Jaafar Jotheri 1, Mark B. Allen1 and Tony J. Wilkinson2
1 Earth Sciences Department, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
2 Archaeology Department, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
Abstract:
In terms of the relationship between the ages of channels and settlements, many researchers argue that a systematic survey of all existing settlements in a given region, dating the settlements by their pottery and plotting them on period maps, would show that they are arranged in linear patterns following the lines of the palaeochannels present in that region during that period.
The intention of this paper is to test this argument by determining the age of palaeochannels using radiocarbon dating and comparing the estimated date with the age of the associated settlements. The Kut area in the southern Mesopotamian floodplain was selected as the subject of the case study. The research was carried out using a combination of geological, geomorphological, historical and archaeological approaches, in addition to remote sensing and sample collection for radiocarbon dating.
As a result, three significant channels were reconstructed. These channels were dated into two ways: firstly, according to their associated archaeological sites; and secondly, according to the radiocarbon date of the organic materials taken from the sediment of these channels.
These three channels are the Dijla-Alaoura, the Dujaila and the Gharraf. The Dijla-Alaoura channel, which is believed to be the ancient Tigris, started running in Cal BP 2760, according to radiocarbon dating, while the oldest associated settlements are from the Parthian period (2280 -1526 BP) i.e. (330 BC-224 AD). The Dujaila channel, which used to pass by the Islamic city of Wasit, started running in Cal BP 1520, according to radiocarbon dating, while the oldest associated settlements are from the Sasanian period (1526-1314 BP) i.e. (224-636 AD). The Gharraf channel, which is a modern branch of the Tigris, started running in Cal BP 660, according to radiocarbon dating, while the oldest associated modern settlements date from Ottoman period (651 BP) i.e. (1299 AD) .
In conclusion, channels can be dated approximately according to their associated archaeological sites and vice versa. In many cases, channels are older than settlement ages as it takes a while for a new channel to become stabilised before people see the advantage of it, and move in to make new settlements.
Reconstruction and dating of palaeochannels in the Ur region - Southern Mesopotamia
1Jotheri, J.... more Reconstruction and dating of palaeochannels in the Ur region - Southern Mesopotamia
1Jotheri, J., 1Allen, M., 2Wilkinson, T.
1 Earth Sciences Department, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
2 Archaeology Department, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
The Ur region is located in the south--]western part of the Mesopotamian floodplain of Iraq and hosted the earliest Mesopotamian civilization from around 5000 BP. Many archaeological sites associated with complex palaeochannels network can be seen in the field or identified in satellite imagery. This study focusses on the identification of these palaeochannels and the determination of their duration and time of abandonment.
Satellite images and digital topography were interpreted to determine the surface expression of palaeochannels and archaeological mounds. Two methods of dating of palaeochannels have been applied. Firstly, using associated settlements, because most archaeological studies, which have been carried out in the Mesopotamian floodplain, have assumed that periods of active river channels are closely linked to the ages of adjacent archaeological settlements. Secondly, using radiocarbon ages of organic material recovered from shallow drilling of these channels. Besides sampling, fieldwork has also allowed ggroundtruthingh of the remote sensing work.
As a result, several palaeochannels have been identified and dated. These networks can be divided into two groups according to age and location: the first group (the oldest) is dated from about 5500 year BP and located in the east side of Ur region and comes from the middle of the Mesopotamian floodplain, while the second group is dated from 4000 year BP and located in the west of the region, and comes from the western side of the Mesopotamian floodplain.
This study presents the results of the first remote sensing survey of hollow ways in Southern Mes... more This study presents the results of the first remote sensing survey of hollow ways in Southern Mesopotamia between Baghdad and the Persian Gulf, primarily using the imagery in Google Earth. For archaeologists, hollow ways are important trace fossils of past human movement that inform about how people travelled in the past and what considerations were important to them as they moved through the landscape. In this study, remotely sensed hollow ways were ground-truthed and dated by association with both palaeochannels and known archaeological sites. Contextual and morphological evidence of the hollow ways indicate that they are likely the archaeological manifestation of ethnographically attested "water channels" formed through the dense reeds of marshlands in southern Iraq, not formed by traction overland like other known hollow ways. The map itself documents the first known hollow ways preserved underwater and one of the best-preserved landscapes of past human movement in the Near East.
For decades, it has been unclear as to how the world's first cities, in southern Mesopotamia, not... more For decades, it has been unclear as to how the world's first cities, in southern Mesopotamia, not only arose in a fluvial environment but also how this environment changed. This paper seeks to understand the long-term fluvial history of the region around Uruk, a major early city, in relation to water-human interactions. This paper applies geomorphological, historical and archaeological approaches and reveals that the Uruk region in southern Mesopotamia had been under the influence of freshwater fluvial environment since the early Holocene. It further demonstrates how canals and long-term human activities since the mid Holocene have been superimposed on the natural river channel patterns. Fieldwork has been conducted to ground-truth features identified applying remote sensing techniques. Five sediment cores were analysed to elucidate palaeoenvironmental changes. Radiocarbon ages for organic samples suggest that the oldest sediment layers, at a depth of 12.5 m, are from the Early Holocene, while results from diatom analyses imply that the whole sediment column was deposited in a freshwater environment. Intensive networks of palaeochannels and archaeological sites within the study area have been reconstructed and these networks have been divided into four different time intervals based on changes in channel courses. The first is from the early 4th to the late 1st millennium BCE; the second is from the late 1st millennium BCE to the middle 2nd millennium CE; the third lasted from after the Islamic period until the 1980s; the fourth is from the 1980s until the present. Key results include evidence for freshwater environments and favourable settlement conditions had already formed by the 8th millennium BCE. The favourable settlement environment resulted in stable (long-lived) canals between the 4th millennium BCE and 1st millennium CE. A significant settlement and irrigation expansion occurred in the early 1st millennium CE. Major abandonment ensued in the late 1st millennium CE and lasted until the mid 2nd millennium CE.
The floodplain of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in southern Mesopotamia is rich in ancient surf... more The floodplain of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in southern Mesopotamia is rich in ancient surface features, such as rivers, canals, mounds, roads and buildings. As the area of this floodplain is approximately 80,000 km 2 and contains thousands of sites and channels, many researchers use remote-sensing techniques to trace these features. However, one of the problems with this technique is there are many other surface features which are not related to ancient channels or archaeological sites that can cause confusion. This paper focuses on how ancient channels and settlements can be recognized amongst other natural and human-made surface features, according to their visual characteristics. Satellite images and digital elevation models, including SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission), ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer), CORONA and QuickBird data, are examined in this study. Many archaeological sites and ancient channels have been recognized using these types of images. Several aspects of visual interpretation are discussed, including elevation, tone or colour, texture, pattern, shadow, shape,
We would like to invite you all to submit tittles and abstracts (maximum 200 words) for a twenty ... more We would like to invite you all to submit tittles and abstracts (maximum 200 words) for a twenty minute paper. Since the workshop proposals are due on the 1st of August, we ask that we receive your abstract (by email, to this address duncan_keenan1@yahoo.com.au) by Friday the 15th of July. We hope that you are able to participate and look forward to receiving your submissions. We are also very happy to receive submissions from scholars not addressed above.
This paper aims to understand the geo-archaeological development of one of the major palaeochanne... more This paper aims to understand the geo-archaeological development of one of the major palaeochannel levees to the northeast of Nippur in southern Mesopotamia, and also reveal when these levees began to aggrade so that benefitting from their levee slopes for irrigated agriculture became possible. These levees were reported in several previous works; however, they provide different interpretations, as some authors called them the ancient Tigris while others considered them as one of the ancient branches of the Euphrates. However, in the present study, two fieldwork trips have been carried out in this area: first in 1990, when Gibson and Wilkinson were able to record a series of sections by means of the exposed section of the Third River Drain project, and secondly in 2013 when Jaafar Jotheri conducted fieldwork as part of his PhD study. Archaeological data and radiocarbon dates have been used and integrated with lithological interpretation of the levees. As a result, it seems that the levees were initiated probably as herringbone canals in the fourth millennium bc and were sustainable over some 4,000 to 5,000 years. This supports the idea that this type of herringbone canal system is long lasting and easy to maintain, while the massive and extensive canal systems of later periods were difficult to maintain and had a relatively short life.
JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, a... more JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.
The study area around Tell Al-Wilayah in Wasit Governorate specifically in the Numaniya district ... more The study area around Tell Al-Wilayah in Wasit Governorate specifically in the Numaniya district and Al-Ahrar sub-district (formerly Al-Husseiniya) considered as significant importance in the archaeological studies. Robert Adams, who surveyed many areas in Iraq, recorded this area as a limited survey area because the previous archaeological survey did not cover it; on the other hand, it is under the threat of intensive agricultural activities. All this led us to perform a field survey trying to illustrate this area’s ambiguities. The survey area covers a (1087 km2), And it contains a different environment within the alluvial plain, where the Dalmaj lake surrounds the area to the west, and to the north, the Tigris River runs towards the east, this area is very fertile, and the agricultural reforms covered it after the 1958 revolution. Some sites located in the area represent several eras of the ancient history of Iraq. These archaeological sites appear through the satellite imagery densely and in different areas, including sites of small, medium, and large areas, And the area’s sites are a subject to constant controversy among archaeologists, as many of the cuneiform texts that smuggled into Outside are mentioning names of cities that had important roles in the Mesopotamian civilization. Some researchers believe that this study area’s archaeological sites are the same mentioned cities in the smuggled cuneiform texts. There remains another issue, which is the irrigation operations in the study area and older riverbeds and their bifurcations, so until now the ancient Tigris River course has not been definitively determined. In addition, satellite imagery and old maps have not enabled researchers to determine the channel that feeds the Tell Al-Wilayah site with water during antiquity. To complete the study we relied on office work and field investigation as a research methodology. We have collected data and assistive equipment related to the survey. In addition, we must obtain digital elevation maps and cadastral maps before going to the site. And seeing satellite imagery and aerial photos and understanding the interpretations of the visual elements of the satellite imagery is important Likewise in the field survey, after that, we had been to the study area to inspect the study sites after identifying the archaeological sites and their coordinates. We have taken samples from the archaeological sites such as pottery, pieces of glass, coins, sealed bricks, and stone pieces, as well as documenting the sites with photographic images, then cleaning these Samples and classifying, and photographing them. We have viewed the previous studies of the study area. And we looked at all the related settlement patterns even outside the study area, because they include one methodology for tracking settlement patterns and their distributions. In addition, we tried to identify the studies that targeted the old rivers and channels in the study area and the small and partial surveys, as well as we viewed Tell Al-Wilayah and Tulul Al-Baqarat excavations sites reports, all of this is important to understand what was happening in this important area, which included many important sites. The research has divided into three chapters; the first chapter discussed the study of Tell Al-Wilayah area environmental and natural landscape and it has divided into three sections, the first topic discussed Tell Al-Wilayah’s location and designation, the second topic discussed the climate and topography, and we studied in the third topic the natural resources in the study area. The second chapter discussed an important topic, and it took the research title, which is the settlement patterns in an area around Tell Al-Wilayah. The first topic dealt with the importance and the techniques of the archaeological survey, the second topic dealt with the previous studies in the area, and the third topic dealt with settlement patterns in the study area. As we distribute the settlement patterns to historical times, according to data and captures from the study area. In the third chapter, we dealt with the results of the field survey. This chapter has divided into two sections. The first section dealt with a list of archaeological sites discovered by the archaeological survey, while the second section dealt with the surface captures, such as pottery, cuneiform inscriptions, brick tiles, metals and jewellery, stones, and door hooks
The present study deals with the reconstruction of the ancient courses of the Tigris and the Euph... more The present study deals with the reconstruction of the ancient courses of the Tigris and the Euphrates in the Mesopotamian floodplain, which covers most of the central and southern parts of Iraq. The focus is on tracing palaeochannel courses, determining when these palaeochannels were active, and understanding the patterns of avulsion and its impact on human settlements of ancient civilisations. The research was carried out using a combination of geological, geomorphological, remote sensing, historical and archaeological approaches. Fieldwork included “groundtruthing” of the remote sensing work. A total of thirty seven boreholes were dug, sedimentary and geomorphologic documentation has been carried out, and twenty five shell samples were collected, and analysed by radiocarbon dating. This study has reconstructed palaeochannels and archaeological sites within the area of southern Mesopotamia; intensive networks of palaeochannels and archaeological sites within the study area have been identified. More than eight thousand archaeological sites have been plotted during this study, and most of them show a location and alignment consistent with an identified palaeochannel. Eleven major river avulsions and their nodes have been identified, five for the Euphrates and six for the Tigris. It has been found that these avulsions contributed to the shaping, formation and aggradation of both the ancient and present–day landscapes of the floodplain. Two kinds of avulsion have taken place in the floodplain, re-occupational and progradational. In the first of these types of avulsion, the major flow diverted into a previously existing channel. In contrast, the progradational avulsion began by inundating a large section of the floodplain between elevated ridges, producing prograding deposits that filled topographic lows of the floodplain. These avulsions have affected the distribution, flourishing and degradation of human settlements of the southern Mesopotamian civilisations. The present study has demonstrated how human impact played a leading role in distribution of sediments across the floodplain and shaping both the Holocene and the recent landscapes of the Mesopotamian floodplain. By using periods of human occupation of archaeological sites to date associated palaeochannels, we can get acceptable accuracy on their timing and duration, and can give clear indications about the activity of a given channel.
Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization volume 71, 2021
This paper discusses the change in the spheres of interaction between Mesopotamia and southwester... more This paper discusses the change in the spheres of interaction between Mesopotamia and southwestern Iran after the rise of early states in the regions
Uploads
Papers by Jaafar Jotheri
Sasanian Empire during the early Islamic conquests. Analysis of satellite imagery of south-west Iraq has
now revealed the likely location of this important historic battle.
The character of the uncovered structures suggests they were part of the inner walls of the sacred area (temenos) dating to the first half of the 2nd millennium BC. New surface and stratified finds of objects datable to the 1st millennium BCE speak for a later presence at Tell Dehaila as well; however, the late occupation phase within the sounding on the temenos is represented only by a semi-nomadic camp.
from villages to cities. A significant part of the Mesopotamian floodplain is covered by marshes, especially the southern region. These marshlands have thrived for thousands of years and are well known for their sustainable biodiversity and ecosystem. However, after the deliberate draining of the marshes in the 1990s, the areas have become dry and only small areas of shallow water and narrow
strips of vegetation remain. Several kinds of archaeological landscape features have appeared on the surface and can be clearly identified in both ground surveys and with the use of remote sensing tools. This paper aims to determine the type and nature of the preserved archaeological features that appear in the landscape of the dried marshes and whether they are different from other features elsewhere in the Mesopotamian floodplain. An intensive ground survey was carried out in a selected
area of the dried marshland, resulting in the identification of six types of archaeological features: Settlement sites, rivers, canals, farms, grooves, and roads (hollow ways). These features used to be covered by bodies of deep water and dense zones of vegetation (reeds and papyrus).
Sasanian Empire during the early Islamic conquests. Analysis of satellite imagery of south-west Iraq has
now revealed the likely location of this important historic battle.
The character of the uncovered structures suggests they were part of the inner walls of the sacred area (temenos) dating to the first half of the 2nd millennium BC. New surface and stratified finds of objects datable to the 1st millennium BCE speak for a later presence at Tell Dehaila as well; however, the late occupation phase within the sounding on the temenos is represented only by a semi-nomadic camp.
from villages to cities. A significant part of the Mesopotamian floodplain is covered by marshes, especially the southern region. These marshlands have thrived for thousands of years and are well known for their sustainable biodiversity and ecosystem. However, after the deliberate draining of the marshes in the 1990s, the areas have become dry and only small areas of shallow water and narrow
strips of vegetation remain. Several kinds of archaeological landscape features have appeared on the surface and can be clearly identified in both ground surveys and with the use of remote sensing tools. This paper aims to determine the type and nature of the preserved archaeological features that appear in the landscape of the dried marshes and whether they are different from other features elsewhere in the Mesopotamian floodplain. An intensive ground survey was carried out in a selected
area of the dried marshland, resulting in the identification of six types of archaeological features: Settlement sites, rivers, canals, farms, grooves, and roads (hollow ways). These features used to be covered by bodies of deep water and dense zones of vegetation (reeds and papyrus).
In this issue we are introducing some new themes to the newsletter. One of these
new themes is called Congratulations. In each issue we will bring you the news of an
assyriologist or archeologist who has, for example, published their first book,
received an award, or, as is the case this time, defended their PhD!
For our first installment of this new recurring theme, we would like to congratulate
Dr. Jaafar Jotheri on obtaining his PhD degree in Geoarchaeology from Durham
University last month.
However, the aims of this paper are to reconstruct the palaeochannels, to determine when these palaeochannels were formed and it was active and when it was abandoned and to identify the associated ancient human settlements with these palaeochannels.
This research was carried out using a combination of geological, geomorphological, historical, ground-truthing and archaeological approaches, in addition to remote sensing and sample collection for radiocarbon dating. Satellite data including DigitalGlobe, SRTM, and CORONA are examined using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and several characters of visual interpretation are examined.
As a result, an intensive network of abandoned channels, detected in satellite images and confirmed by fieldwork, has been mapped. More than eight thousands archaeological sites have been recognized and plotted. The palaeochannels were dated into two ways: firstly, according to their associated archaeological sites; and secondly, according to the radiocarbon date of the organic materials taken from the sediment of these palaeochannels.
Saturday, November 21st: 13.00, SOAS, Main Building, L 67, London
Since the Iraqi excavations in the early 2000s at Tell Al-Wilayah, on the very East of the southern Iraqi alluvium (See the attached map), the site has been extensively looted. These excavations have recently been published in part. This large site is found in an anomalous position with regard to site distribution in southern Iraq, reasonably exposed by comparison to the main centres of settlement, from which it is separated by some distance and a poorly understood ancient landscape. The distribution of ancient watercourses in the area leading to it is still particularly unclear. An interesting collection of Sargonic Akkadian texts from the official Iraqi excavations is currently being prepared for publication by Abather Saadoon from the University of Baghdad, who is on a research visit to SOAS at the moment. We are taking this as an opportunity to hold an informal workshop on Tell Al-Wilayah, where issues of landscape, identification, history and economy can be discussed with a specific focus on this site.
There will be a number of informal presentations with plenty of time for discussion afterwards. The times outlined below are for orientation purposes only.
13.00: Introduction: Mark Weeden
13.30: The Excavations at Tell Al-Wilayah: Mark Altaweel
14.30: ‘Sumer’s eastern gateway? The significance of Kesh (Wilayah?) In the early-mid third millennium BC’: Roger Matthews
16.00: The watercourses around Tell Al-Wilayah: Jaafar Jotheri
17.00: Texts from Tell Al-Wilayah: Abather Saadoon
18.00: Second millennium evidence relating to the geography of eastern Iraq: Andrew George
Most of the abandoned channels have highly-elevated levees because channels accumulate sediments which are then incorporated into the alluvial zone by the aggrading surface of the river belt (which results in the growth in height of the levee). However, several highly-elevated levees show, in specific reaches, series of breakdowns or transversal gaps across the levees (see figure below as an example). These gaps form a top view feature, which is readily apparent in satellite imagery. This feature resembles a baguette (i.e. a series of such gaps make the levee looks like a baguette) which is why we suggest this term to describe it.
This feature can be formed when the older channel levees were cut by flooding of the younger channel. In other words, when the relatively highly-elevated palaeochannel levees act as a barrier to the active channel water (flood or crevasse splay), water crosses the levees from several locations. Over time these locations become trenches and waterways, transferring water to the other side of the barrier (levee).
More than thirteen cases of the feature here termed “baguette levees” have been identified in the Mesopotamian floodplain in the present study; the formation of all instances can be explained in the same way. Recognising this feature can help identify palaeochannels and also give a good indication of the relative age of different channels (i.e., the cutter is younger than the cuttee).
This research was carried out using a combination of geological, geomorphological, historical, ground-truthing and archaeological approaches, in addition to remote sensing and sample collection for radiocarbon dating.
This study reveals that the Dujaila palaeocanal used to irrigate an area more than 100 km wide and more than 150 km long, transporting water from the western bank of the ancient Tigris, near the modern city of Kut, towards the south-west, passing the famous Islamic site of Wasit, before finally merging with the marshes. More than 500 human settlements were associated with this canal; most of these settlements were occupied from the Sasanian period (224-636 AD) to the Islamic period (636-1258 AD). Although some reaches of this river were already running during the Parthian period (330 BC-224 AD), the majority of this canal was dug and developed during the Sasanian period.
This course continued to run during the Islamic period, but in the following years its discharge gradually dropped to below that of the main branch of the Tigris, before being completely abandoned in approximately 1930 AD. According to radiocarbon dating, most reaches of the Dujaila ran from Cal BP 1520 and started to dry up from Cal BP 1170.
http://banealcane.org/banea/index.php/late-antique-frontiers-of-iran-the-caucasus-anatolia-and-iraq/
To what extent may palaeochannels be accurately dated on the basis of their associated settlements?
Jaafar Jotheri 1, Mark B. Allen1 and Tony J. Wilkinson2
1 Earth Sciences Department, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
2 Archaeology Department, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
Abstract:
In terms of the relationship between the ages of channels and settlements, many researchers argue that a systematic survey of all existing settlements in a given region, dating the settlements by their pottery and plotting them on period maps, would show that they are arranged in linear patterns following the lines of the palaeochannels present in that region during that period.
The intention of this paper is to test this argument by determining the age of palaeochannels using radiocarbon dating and comparing the estimated date with the age of the associated settlements. The Kut area in the southern Mesopotamian floodplain was selected as the subject of the case study. The research was carried out using a combination of geological, geomorphological, historical and archaeological approaches, in addition to remote sensing and sample collection for radiocarbon dating.
As a result, three significant channels were reconstructed. These channels were dated into two ways: firstly, according to their associated archaeological sites; and secondly, according to the radiocarbon date of the organic materials taken from the sediment of these channels.
These three channels are the Dijla-Alaoura, the Dujaila and the Gharraf. The Dijla-Alaoura channel, which is believed to be the ancient Tigris, started running in Cal BP 2760, according to radiocarbon dating, while the oldest associated settlements are from the Parthian period (2280 -1526 BP) i.e. (330 BC-224 AD). The Dujaila channel, which used to pass by the Islamic city of Wasit, started running in Cal BP 1520, according to radiocarbon dating, while the oldest associated settlements are from the Sasanian period (1526-1314 BP) i.e. (224-636 AD). The Gharraf channel, which is a modern branch of the Tigris, started running in Cal BP 660, according to radiocarbon dating, while the oldest associated modern settlements date from Ottoman period (651 BP) i.e. (1299 AD) .
In conclusion, channels can be dated approximately according to their associated archaeological sites and vice versa. In many cases, channels are older than settlement ages as it takes a while for a new channel to become stabilised before people see the advantage of it, and move in to make new settlements.
1Jotheri, J., 1Allen, M., 2Wilkinson, T.
1 Earth Sciences Department, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
2 Archaeology Department, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
The Ur region is located in the south--]western part of the Mesopotamian floodplain of Iraq and hosted the earliest Mesopotamian civilization from around 5000 BP. Many archaeological sites associated with complex palaeochannels network can be seen in the field or identified in satellite imagery. This study focusses on the identification of these palaeochannels and the determination of their duration and time of abandonment.
Satellite images and digital topography were interpreted to determine the surface expression of palaeochannels and archaeological mounds. Two methods of dating of palaeochannels have been applied. Firstly, using associated settlements, because most archaeological studies, which have been carried out in the Mesopotamian floodplain, have assumed that periods of active river channels are closely linked to the ages of adjacent archaeological settlements. Secondly, using radiocarbon ages of organic material recovered from shallow drilling of these channels. Besides sampling, fieldwork has also allowed ggroundtruthingh of the remote sensing work.
As a result, several palaeochannels have been identified and dated. These networks can be divided into two groups according to age and location: the first group (the oldest) is dated from about 5500 year BP and located in the east side of Ur region and comes from the middle of the Mesopotamian floodplain, while the second group is dated from 4000 year BP and located in the west of the region, and comes from the western side of the Mesopotamian floodplain.
levees to the northeast of Nippur in southern Mesopotamia, and also reveal when these levees began
to aggrade so that benefitting from their levee slopes for irrigated agriculture became possible. These
levees were reported in several previous works; however, they provide different interpretations, as some
authors called them the ancient Tigris while others considered them as one of the ancient branches of
the Euphrates.
However, in the present study, two fieldwork trips have been carried out in this area: first in 1990,
when Gibson and Wilkinson were able to record a series of sections by means of the exposed section of
the Third River Drain project, and secondly in 2013 when Jaafar Jotheri conducted fieldwork as part of
his PhD study. Archaeological data and radiocarbon dates have been used and integrated with lithological
interpretation of the levees.
As a result, it seems that the levees were initiated probably as herringbone canals in the fourth millennium bc and were sustainable over some 4,000 to 5,000 years. This supports the idea that this type of
herringbone canal system is long lasting and easy to maintain, while the massive and extensive canal
systems of later periods were difficult to maintain and had a relatively short life.
Robert Adams, who surveyed many areas in Iraq, recorded this area as a limited survey area because the previous archaeological survey did not cover it; on the other hand, it is under the threat of intensive agricultural activities. All this led us to perform a field survey trying to illustrate this area’s ambiguities.
The survey area covers a (1087 km2), And it contains a different environment within the alluvial plain, where the Dalmaj lake surrounds the area to the west, and to the north, the Tigris River runs towards the east, this area is very fertile, and the agricultural reforms covered it after the 1958 revolution.
Some sites located in the area represent several eras of the ancient history of Iraq. These archaeological sites appear through the satellite imagery densely and in different areas, including sites of small, medium, and large areas, And the area’s sites are a subject to constant controversy among archaeologists, as many of the cuneiform texts that smuggled into Outside are mentioning names of cities that had important roles in the Mesopotamian civilization. Some researchers believe that this study area’s archaeological sites are the same mentioned cities in the smuggled cuneiform texts.
There remains another issue, which is the irrigation operations in the study area and older riverbeds and their bifurcations, so until now the ancient Tigris River course has not been definitively determined. In addition, satellite imagery and old maps have not enabled researchers to determine the channel that feeds the Tell Al-Wilayah site with water during antiquity.
To complete the study we relied on office work and field investigation as a research methodology. We have collected data and assistive equipment related to the survey. In addition, we must obtain digital elevation maps and cadastral maps before going to the site. And seeing satellite imagery and aerial photos and understanding the interpretations of the visual elements of the satellite imagery is important Likewise in the field survey, after that, we had been to the study area to inspect the study sites after identifying the archaeological sites and their coordinates. We have taken samples from the archaeological sites such as pottery, pieces of glass, coins, sealed bricks, and stone pieces, as well as documenting the sites with photographic images, then cleaning these Samples and classifying, and photographing them.
We have viewed the previous studies of the study area. And we looked at all the related settlement patterns even outside the study area, because they include one methodology for tracking settlement patterns and their distributions. In addition, we tried to identify the studies that targeted the old rivers and channels in the study area and the small and partial surveys, as well as we viewed Tell Al-Wilayah and Tulul Al-Baqarat excavations sites reports, all of this is important to understand what was happening in this important area, which included many important sites.
The research has divided into three chapters; the first chapter discussed the study of Tell Al-Wilayah area environmental and natural landscape and it has divided into three sections, the first topic discussed Tell Al-Wilayah’s location and designation, the second topic discussed the climate and topography, and we studied in the third topic the natural resources in the study area.
The second chapter discussed an important topic, and it took the research title, which is the settlement patterns in an area around Tell Al-Wilayah. The first topic dealt with the importance and the techniques of the archaeological survey, the
second topic dealt with the previous studies in the area, and the third topic dealt with settlement patterns in the study area. As we distribute the settlement patterns to historical times, according to data and captures from the study area.
In the third chapter, we dealt with the results of the field survey. This chapter has divided into two sections. The first section dealt with a list of archaeological sites discovered by the archaeological survey, while the second section dealt with the surface captures, such as pottery, cuneiform inscriptions, brick tiles, metals and jewellery, stones, and door hooks
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340502901_The_Google_Earth_file_of_ancient_rivers_and_irrigation_systems_of_southern_Mesopotamia_in_my_PhD_thesis_work_at_Durham_University_2016
The research was carried out using a combination of geological, geomorphological, remote sensing, historical and archaeological approaches. Fieldwork included “groundtruthing” of the remote sensing work. A total of thirty seven boreholes were dug, sedimentary and geomorphologic documentation has been carried out, and twenty five shell samples were collected, and analysed by radiocarbon dating.
This study has reconstructed palaeochannels and archaeological sites within the area of southern Mesopotamia; intensive networks of palaeochannels and archaeological sites within the study area have been identified. More than eight thousand archaeological sites have been plotted during this study, and most of them show a location and alignment consistent with an identified palaeochannel.
Eleven major river avulsions and their nodes have been identified, five for the Euphrates and six for the Tigris. It has been found that these avulsions contributed to the shaping, formation and aggradation of both the ancient and present–day landscapes of the floodplain. Two kinds of avulsion have taken place in the floodplain, re-occupational and progradational. In the first of these types of avulsion, the major flow diverted into a previously existing channel. In contrast, the progradational avulsion began by inundating a large section of the floodplain between elevated ridges, producing prograding deposits that filled topographic lows of the floodplain.
These avulsions have affected the distribution, flourishing and degradation of human settlements of the southern Mesopotamian civilisations. The present study has demonstrated how human impact played a leading role in distribution of sediments across the floodplain and shaping both the Holocene and the recent landscapes of the Mesopotamian floodplain. By using periods of human occupation of archaeological sites to date associated palaeochannels, we can get acceptable accuracy on their timing and duration, and can give clear indications about the activity of a given channel.