The archaeological site of Kurd Qaburstan, located in the Erbil region of northeastern Iraq, has emerged as an invaluable source of knowledge about the Middle Bronze Age Mesopotamian civilization. Recent excavations led by Tiffany Earley-Spadoni, an associate professor of history at the University of Central Florida (UCF), have revealed surprising findings that could redefine our understanding of this ancient region.

Among the most remarkable discoveries are clay tablets with cuneiform writing, game boards, and monumental structural remains. These tablets, the first of their kind found in the region, are currently being deciphered and promise to provide unprecedented insights into the inhabitants of Kurd Qaburstan and the events that shaped its history. Preliminary studies already suggest they could shed light on literacy, cultural interactions, and the identity of this city during the Middle Bronze Age, around 1800 BCE.

Mesopotamia, known as the cradle of civilization, is celebrated for its ancient cities located in the fertile plains between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. However, while southern cities such as Uruk have been extensively studied, northern cities like Kurd Qaburstan have largely remained in the shadows. This imbalance is due to a lack of prior research and inherent biases in the available historical sources, which are often based on accounts from enemies or neighboring civilizations.

Kurd Qaburstan ancient Qabra
One of three clay cuneiform tablets discovered at the Middle Bronze Age site of Kurd Qaburstan in northeast Iraq. It was found in a debris-filled corridor in the lower town palace. Early interpretations of this tablet suggests dramatic events and possibly ancient warfare. Credit: Tiffany Earley-Spadoni

Earley-Spadoni emphasizes the importance of reconstructing Kurd Qaburstan’s history from the perspective of its own inhabitants. This involves studying not only its monumental architecture but also everyday aspects, such as housing patterns, diet, and social relationships.

Recent excavations have uncovered a palace in the lower city, identified as an administrative complex. This discovery, made using advanced technologies such as magnetometry, has brought to light significant architectural remains, garbage deposits, and human remains.

In residential areas, researchers found outdoor courtyards, clay pipelines, and decorated pottery, reflecting a surprising level of private wealth. The ceramic remains include storage jars (pithoi), plates, and bowls, some elaborately decorated, suggesting that even non-elite inhabitants enjoyed a higher standard of living than previously believed. Furthermore, animal bones found alongside the ceramics indicate a varied diet combining domesticated meat with wild game.

Kurd Qaburstan ancient Qabra
Broken pieces of storage jars marked with a special identifier symbol from the lower town palace. Credit: Tiffany Earley-Spadoni

These discoveries raise fascinating questions about the social organization of Kurd Qaburstan. Was there pronounced inequality between social classes, or was there a more prominent “middle stratum” than assumed in other Mesopotamian cities? Additionally, the evidence of destruction found in the palace could point to catastrophic events, such as military conflicts, that impacted the city.

Another question is whether Kurd Qaburstan could be identified as the ancient city of Qabra, mentioned in Babylonian monuments like the Stele of Dadusha. Clues such as the presence of writing and monumental architecture support this hypothesis, further increasing its historical significance.

The work at Kurd Qaburstan is not only expanding our understanding of Mesopotamia but also helping redefine how we perceive life in the ancient cities of northern Iraq. With support from the U.S. National Science Foundation and collaboration with the Kurdistan region, researchers plan to continue exploring this site in the coming years.



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