Ctesiphon Buried Taq Kasra Vault South Buttress
Ctesiphon Buried Taq Kasra Vault South Buttress North Annex · Ctesiphon Site
Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)·Chalcolithic–EBA·🇮🇶 Baghdad, Ctesiphon, Iraq
About
About Ctesiphon Buried Taq Kasra Vault South Buttress
Ctesiphon Buried Taq Kasra Vault South Buttress in Baghdad, Ctesiphon, Iraq is a Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE) tell attributed to Chalcolithic–EBA. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal mound 220 × 180 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 33.0930N 44.5810E controls access to Baghdad resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey tell for Baghdad, Ctesiphon, illustrating Chalcolithic–EBA construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic–EBA
- Purpose
- Multi-period settlement mound with stratified urban sequence
- Rediscovered
- 1996 survey
- Excavation
- Buried
c. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
Initial construction of Ctesiphon Buried Taq Kasra Vault South Buttress main structure
c. 1936
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1996–2011
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Ctesiphon Buried Taq Kasra Vault South Buttress) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
33.0930° N · 44.5810° E · 332 m · 4 mapped features
Ctesiphon Buried Taq Kasra Vault South Buttress — Main Structure
structurePrincipal tell — Mound 220 × 180 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
33.0938° N · 44.5819° ECtesiphon Buried Taq Kasra Vault South Buttress — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
33.0920° N · 44.5803° ECtesiphon Buried Taq Kasra Vault South Buttress — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
33.0945° N · 44.5822° ECtesiphon Buried Taq Kasra Vault South Buttress — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
33.0914° N · 44.5799° E