Archaeologists have found evidence suggesting that Kurd Qaburstan, a site located in the Erbil region of northeastern Iraq, may be the lost city of Qabra, an ancient urban center mentioned in Babylonian inscriptions, including the Stele of Dadusha.
Recent excavations have revealed evidence that aligns with descriptions of Qabra, shedding light on its significance during the Middle Bronze Age.
The team, led by Tiffany Earley-Spadoni, a history professor at the University of Central Florida, has made groundbreaking discoveries. Among the most notable are clay tablets bearing ancient writing, monumental structures, and artifacts that suggest the site was a thriving city around 1800 BCE.
Evidence linking Kurd Qaburstan to Qabra
Babylonian inscriptions describe Qabra as a city of cultural and administrative importance. At Kurd Qaburstan, researchers have unearthed a large palace in the lower city that appears to have served as an administrative center.
Using advanced tools like magnetometry, they identified architectural remains, garbage deposits, and even human skeletons. Signs of destruction in the palace indicate the city may have been impacted by wars or other catastrophic events, as mentioned in historical records.
Clay tablets found at the site offer further clues. These are the first tablets of their kind discovered in the area and are currently being studied to decipher their content.
Early analysis suggests they could provide insights into literacy, cultural exchanges, and the identity of the city’s rulers. The presence of writing and monumental architecture strengthens the argument that Kurd Qaburstan may indeed be the ancient city of Qabra.
Daily life and wealth
In addition to its administrative significance, the site reveals much about daily life. Excavations in residential areas uncovered open courtyards, clay pipelines, and elaborately decorated pottery. These findings suggest that even non-elite residents enjoyed a higher standard of living than previously thought.
The pottery includes storage jars, plates, and intricately designed bowls, while animal bones found nearby indicate a diet combining domesticated meat with wild game. Researchers believe this reflects a wealthy and diverse community, possibly supported by trade or agricultural abundance.
A city rediscovered
For decades, northern Mesopotamian cities like Kurd Qaburstan have remained underexplored, overshadowed by southern cities such as Uruk. Historical records, often written by rival civilizations, have contributed to this imbalance. The work at Kurd Qaburstan is helping to change that.
“The focus of the research is the organization of ancient cities, and it’s specifically the organization of Kurd Qaburstan,” said Earley-Spadoni.
The research, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and supported by the Kurdistan region, is expected to continue for several years, offering more opportunities to unravel the mysteries of this ancient city.