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Department of Archaeology

Investigations into Second Millennium BC Northern Mesopotamian Urbanism: Excavations at Kurd Qaburstan

Directions

28 April 2023 - 28 April 2023

4:00PM - 6:00PM

D216 The Dawson Building Durham University Science Site South Road Durham DH1 3LE

  • Free to all attendees

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Professor Glenn Schwartz, from Johns Hopkins University, will be presenting the findings of his fieldwork in Kurd Qaburstan, Iraq

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Kurd Qaburstan is a large urban site in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and was an important location due to its situation between the Upper and Lower Zab rivers. Its occupation likely dates to the early second millennium BC (Middle Bronze Age/Old Babylonian period) and the site was a major walled city. The majority of research into urbanism from this period focuses on southern Mesopotamia, so Kurd Qaburstan's location in northern Mesopotamia offers the opportunity for a unique look at urban life during this period.

Professor Schwartz will discuss the most recent (2022) excavations, which have revealed large-scale architecture, possible public buildings, institutional storage and a temple. Additionally, geophysical survey using magnetometry has identified a potential palace along with terracotta art depicting what may be a king.

Speakers

Dr Glenn Schwartz, Department of Near Eastern Studies, Johns Hopkins University

Glenn Schwartz

Archaeology Program Director and Whiting Professor of Archaeology in the Department of Near Eastern Studies, Johns Hopkins University

Professor Schwartz is a Near Eastern Archaeologist with a focus on early urbanism in Syria and Mesopotamia. His current field project at Kurd Qaburstan (possibly ancient Qabra), in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq south of Erbil, focuses on the study of a large 2nd millennium BC north Mesopotamian urban center.

Pricing

Free to all attendees