Iraq

Bassetki

Bronze Age city with defensive structures.

Location

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Historical Context

About

Bassetki is an archaeological site located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, associated with a large Bronze Age city that flourished around 3000 BCE. The city was protected by a defensive wall constructed around 2700 BCE and featured an extensive road network connecting it to Mesopotamia and Anatolia by c. 1800 BCE. The site is notable for its connection to the ancient city of Mardaman, as revealed by cuneiform tablets dating back to the Middle Assyrian Empire, around 1250 BCE. Archaeological excavations have uncovered a variety of structures, including residential districts, a palatial building, and storage jars containing cuneiform tablets. The site holds significant historical importance due to its continuous occupation through various periods and its role in regional trade and communication networks.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Bronze Age city establishment

c. 3000 BCE

City fortification

c. 2700 BCE

Connected by overland roadway

c. 1800 BCE

Middle Assyrian Empire occupation

c. 1250 BCE

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Storage Structures

Storage Jars
category

Defensive Structures

Defensive Walls
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Burial and Funerary Structures

Cemeteries
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Artistic and Decorative Features

StatuesTokens
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Domestic and Habitation Structures

CitiesPalaces
category

Transportation and Communication Structures

Roads
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

Iraq

Coordinates

36.96° N, 42.72° E