Qermez Dere

Qermez Dere, located in the northwestern region of Tal Afar in the Nineveh Governorate of Iraq, is a significant early Neolithic archaeological site. Discovered during rescue operations in the 1980s, it spans approximately 100 by 60 meters and rises as a 2-meter tall tell. The site's structures are primarily built from primitive mudbricks, which have largely decayed over time. However, a well-preserved one-room structure with rounded corners has been excavated, providing insight into the construction techniques of the era. The presence of non-structural clay columns suggests early forms of furniture. Radiocarbon dating places the occupation of Qermez Dere between circa 8500 BCE and 7900 BCE, highlighting its importance as an early example of human settlement during the Neolithic period.