Prospecting in the marshland: the Sumerian city Fara-Šuruppak (Iraq)

Abstract

Fara-Šuruppak was a major Sumerian city of the third millennium B.C. By magnetometer prospecting we discovered and traced a casemate city wall that enclosed the city. On the west bank of the Euphrates river we identified a large harbour complex of Fara-Šuruppak. The magnetogram revealed the existence of channels, a bridge, hydraulic constructions and agricultural fields.