New Investigations in the Environment, History, and Archaeology of the Iraqi Hilly Flanks: Shahrizor Survey Project 2009–2011

Abstract

Recent palaeoenvironmental, historical, and archaeological investigations, primarily consisting of site reconnaissance, in the Shahrizor region within the province of Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan are bringing to light new information on the region's social and socio-ecological development. This paper summarises two seasons of work by researchers from German, British, Dutch, and Iraqi-Kurdish institutions working in the survey region. Palaeoenvironmental data have determined that during the Pleistocene many terraces developed which came to be occupied by a number of the larger tell sites in the Holocene. In the sedimentary record, climatic and anthropogenic patterns are noticeable, and alluviation has affected the recovery of archaeological remains through site burial in places. Historical data show the Shahrizor shifting between periods of independence, either occupied by one regional state or several smaller entities, and periods that saw the plain's incorporation within large empires, often in a border position. New archaeological investigations have provided insight into the importance of the region as a transit centre between Western Iran and northern and southern Mesopotamia, with clear material culture links recovered. Variations between periods' settlement patterns and occupations are also beginning to emerge.

Mid- to late-Holocene archaeology, environment and climate in the northeast Kurdistan region of Iraq

“…That the sediments above the gravel layer represent the Holocene period is validated by pottery found at 5m and 2m down. Based on this archaeological evidence, the sediments between 5m and 2m below the surface date from about the Pottery Neolithic (earliest possible date of c. 8450 BP (6500 BCE)) to about 2450-2250 BP (500-300 BCE) or later (Altaweel et al, 2012).…”

“…There are few perennial rivers presently, but were likely to have been more prevalent in the past, as evidenced by the many palaeochannels in the region. Colluvium, resulting from slumps and landslides, is found along the foot of the hills and mountains, as are alluvial fans (Altaweel et al, 2012). Figure 1a provides an overview of the study region and locations of key areas discussed here.…”

“…To fill in the gap, geoarchaeological surveys of the Shahrizor and adjacent plains were undertaken from 2011 onwards (see Altaweel et al, 2012;Marsh, 2014;Altaweel and Marsh, 2016;Marsh and Altaweel, In Press), which included analyses of satellite imagery and topographical and geological maps, as well as offsite geoarchaeological trenching and coring near Gurga Chiya and Tepe Marani (Figure 1b). …”

Predicting vegetation phenology in response to climate change using bioclimatic indices in Iraq

“…It is surrounded by the Zagros mountains in the east (bordering with Iran), and the Binzird, Baranan and Qara Dagh hills to the west and south. In the middle is the wide Shahrizor plain, which is used for agriculture (cereals and fruit) and grazing, and is dissected by the Tanjero River (Altaweel et al, 2012). Sulaymaniyah's climate is Mediterranean, and is characterised by its cooler summer temperatures and its rainier winters.…”

Landscape and Settlement in the Eastern Upper Iraqi Tigris and Navkur Plains: The Land of Nineveh Archaeological Project, Seasons 2012–2013

“…Since 2009, thanks to the liberal policy of openness to foreign missions pursued by the Directorates of Antiquities of Iraqi Kurdistan and the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage of Baghdad, the plains of the Iraqi Zagros foothills have been the focus of numerous archaeological excavations and survey projects. As a result, Iraqi Kurdistan is emerging not only as a new frontier in ancient Near Eastern archaeology, but also as a promising laboratory for the development and testing of innovative methods of archaeological research, especially in the field of landscape archaeology and multidisciplinary research (Menze et al 2007;Altaweel 2008;Altaweel et al 2012;Mühl 2012;Ur et al 2013).…”