6,000-year-old settlement unearthed near Arba’ilo (Erbil), Kurdistan Region of Iraq, in major archaeological find

ARBA’ILO, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — A significant archaeological discovery near Arba’ilo (Erbil), Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), is shedding new light on the ancient past in Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia). A settlement dating back to the Late Chalcolithic period has been unearthed, revealing homes, kitchens, inner courtyards, and what appears to be a small palace.

The excavation site spans approximately three hectares across four hills in the Chamamok plains, located about 40 kilometers southeast of Arba’ilo. So far, archaeologists have uncovered six rooms and numerous residential structures, suggesting a well-organized community that thrived around 6,000 years ago.

Known as Jardi Matrab, the site occupies a strategically important location and is believed to date back to between 4500 and 3300 BCE. Excavations began in 2022 and are still ongoing.

The dig is a joint effort between the Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage in Arba’ilo and Bryn Mawr College in the United States. The team is focused on understanding daily life in ancient Beth Nahrin, the cradle of civilization. Among the most notable finds are finely crafted pottery tools and vessels that reflect the customs and craftsmanship of the era.

One archaeologist involved in the project remarked that no evidence of destruction, violence, or fire was found at the site. Remarkably, hundreds of artifacts were discovered intact and in their original positions, offering an unusually clear snapshot of life in this prehistoric settlement.

Arba’ilo (Erbil), believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is home to a historic citadel that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This latest discovery further underscores the region’s central role in the early development of human civilization.