Reassessing Early Urbanism in North-Eastern Mesopotamia
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Archaeology
Abstract
New evidence at the archaeological site of Bassetki (ancient Mardaman, Duhok province, Iraq) suggests that
indicators of urbanism predate the so-called second urban revolution in the later Early Bronze Age (EBA)
thereby challenging conventional models of urbanisation in Ancient Mesopotamia. I will evaluate the
Mardaman excavation data with a focus on early EBA architecture, material culture, stratigraphy, and
microstratigraphy from domestic contexts, taking a multi-scalar GIS-based approach. This diachronic
analysis will indicate changes in organisation as the site grew into a major centre and allow me to reassess
the state of urbanisation in Northern Mesopotamia at that time.
indicators of urbanism predate the so-called second urban revolution in the later Early Bronze Age (EBA)
thereby challenging conventional models of urbanisation in Ancient Mesopotamia. I will evaluate the
Mardaman excavation data with a focus on early EBA architecture, material culture, stratigraphy, and
microstratigraphy from domestic contexts, taking a multi-scalar GIS-based approach. This diachronic
analysis will indicate changes in organisation as the site grew into a major centre and allow me to reassess
the state of urbanisation in Northern Mesopotamia at that time.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Dan Lawrence (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Felicitas Ruschel (Student) |