The Origins of Mesopotamia
The Italian Archaeological Mission of Sapienza University of Rome, directed by Davide Nadali, has just finished its spring campaign in Nigin, which is located in the Lagash region of south-eastern Mesopotamia.
Efforts have focused on the smaller hill at the site of Tell Zurghul, ancient Nigin, where since 2015 the mission has been excavating a sequence of public buildings, probably “temples”, very similar to the famous prehistoric temples of Eridu, dating from around 4900-4700 BC.
The mission has focused on investigating the archaeological remains at the foot of the hill to the north-west. Since 2023, a deep stratigraphic survey measuring 2.5 metres on each side has been under excavation to shed light on the earliest phases of the site's occupation, predating the temple complex situated atop the mound.
Although the survey is limited in extent, the results are impressive: it has reached a depth of 5 metres below the current ground level without yet reaching virgin soil. It has identified a sequence of 10 architectural phases, the oldest of which predate the region's occupation by a considerable amount. This is the first time such ancient levels have been reached in excavations in south-eastern Mesopotamia. Based on the associated materials (mainly pottery), these levels can be dated to between approximately 5400 and 5200 BC.
The findings also have significant geomorphological implications: the mission has discovered several buildings and archaeological levels dating to the end of the 4th and beginning of the 3rd millennium immediately below the current ground level.
If the ground level during these periods coincided with the present day, what was the situation in the 6th and 5th millennia?
The most widely accepted hypothesis at present is that the first settlements in southern Mesopotamia occurred on natural outcrops known as 'turtlebacks', which emerged from the surrounding swamps, as is still the case in the Iraqi marshes today.
If this were the case, the ground level for the earliest period would be more than five metres below the current level. In the following millennium, alongside a slow and progressive retreat of the water, we would also expect to see significant silting of the area on which the late 4th-early 3rd millennium phases are currently located.
Continuing the investigations will be crucial for completing the analysis of the deep borehole, documenting underlying phases, and most importantly, identifying virgin soil. In addition, landscape analysis through geological cores will accompany the excavations, allowing us to understand the nature and reasons for siltation and the relative elevation of the ground level. These studies will significantly impact the composition of archaeological and geomorphological dynamics in the Lagash region
References
https://www.archeologiaviva.it/24362/alle-origini-della-mesopotamia-antica/
Further Information
Davide Nadali
Department of Ancient World Studies