The Earliest Remains

On the high plateau of Aushariey thick Iron Age levels effectively seal the earlier settlements, but sherds found in various places, on the eroded slopes or in later fills, show that the site presumably was occupied in the 4th mill. BC. The sherds belong to the local Chalcolithic tradition.

A few hundred meters from Aushariye, on the north bank of the Sajour, is a small site on a hilltop. On its surface are sherds which show that the site was occupied in the same period, but the sherds include types which are linked to ceramic traditions of southern Mesopotamia. At other sites along the Euphrates similar material has been excavated, and these sites appear to be actual “colonies” of people from the south, who for as yet unknown reasons (trade?) settled far and wide outside their homeland. It seems therefore that the small site, known as Nizel Hussain, may be such a “colony”, establehed close to the local settlement on Aushariye. We hope in a later season to investigate this site more closely.

Nizel Hussain viewed from north slope of Aushariye. On the top of the site is
a small modern house.

Mesopotamian sherds from Nizel Hussain.