Unexpected Archaeological Discovery in Iraq Changes Our Understanding of Ancient Civilizations
A new chapter in human history has been added as archaeologists in Iraq uncovered a unique structure over 5,000 years old, potentially serving as a temple or official building from the Uruk period.
This discovery marks a significant breakthrough in understanding the origins of the world’s first cities, with the find made at the Khanis-Shayye site in northern Suleimaniya Province, near the Zagros Mountains.
The monument dates back to 3300–3100 BCE, aligning with the Uruk period—a time when the ancient city of Uruk, one of the largest Mesopotamian cities, thrived with a population up to 80,000 residents and covering approximately 400 hectares.
Architectural remains and artifacts found in the structure offer new insights into the urban layout and societal organization of Uruk.
The building, located at the top of a mound, exhibits design features that suggest it was an official or sacred structure, possibly a temple or a place for worship.
Among the discoveries were fragments of a gold pendant, possibly a display of wealth, and clay cylinders that are characteristic of Uruk administrative and political authority.
This find has the potential to deepen our understanding of regional interactions and the influence of Uruk on surrounding areas.
Earlier, researchers, using artificial intelligence, identified a 3,000-year-old Babylonian hymn, further illustrating the importance of technological advancements in archaeology.
This groundbreaking site invites scholars to reevaluate the early history of human civilization and the development of complex urban societies in ancient Mesopotamia.