Bakr Awa
بكر آوة · Bakr Awa, Sulaymaniyah · Tell Bakr Awa
Chalcolithic to Islamic (c.5000 BCE–1500 CE; Bronze citadel LBA)·Chalcolithic → Bronze (Shahrizor) → Iron → Achaemenid → Islamic·🇮🇶 Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Shahrizor Plain, Kurdistan, Iraq
About
About Bakr Awa
40 ha mound on Shahrizor Plain east of Sulaymaniyah, excavated by Altaweel, Mühl and Miglus. Chalcolithic to Islamic 7 ka, but emphasis: Middle Bronze fortified town, Late Bronze tablets of Idu dynasty, Iron vaulted citadel and Sasanian-Islamic ramparts dominate the Halabja plain.
Why it matters40 ha Shahrizor citadel — largest Bronze mound in Kurdistan bridging Mesopotamia and Zagros (Altaweel).
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Idu (Satu Qala) identification with Bakr Awa?
Theories
- 01Altaweel Shahrizor trans-Zagros trade corridor model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Chalcolithic village c.5000 BCE; Bronze citadel c.1500 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Islamic (c.5000 BCE–1500 CE; Bronze citadel LBA)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic → Bronze (Shahrizor) → Iron → Achaemenid → Islamic
- Builders
- Chalcolithic communities
- Purpose
- Shahrizor Plain citadel controlling southern Kurdistan passes to Zagros
- Rediscovered
- Modern archaeological survey/ rescue
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.5000 BCE
Chalcolithic village
c.1500 BCE
Bronze citadel and Idu tablets
c.900 BCE
Iron vaulted halls
2010
Heidelberg-Sulaymaniyah excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
35.2200° N · 45.9500° E · 650 m · 3 mapped features
Bakr Awa — Cemetery area
terraceKey sub-area of Bakr Awa (Chalcolithic to Islamic) showing Chalcolithic horizon
35.2193° N · 45.9496° EBakr Awa — Kiln field
storageKey sub-area of Bakr Awa (Chalcolithic to Islamic) showing Chalcolithic horizon
35.2201° N · 45.9502° EBakr Awa — Palatial compound
dwellingKey sub-area of Bakr Awa (Chalcolithic to Islamic) showing Chalcolithic horizon
35.2209° N · 45.9508° E
Gallery