Eridu Temple Platform South Mound Annex — Western Terrace
Ubaid Period (6500-3800 BCE)·Ubaid·🇮🇶 Dhi Qar, Nasiriyah, Iraq
About
About Eridu Temple Platform South Mound Annex — Western Terrace
Eridu Temple Platform South Mound Annex — Western Terrace in Dhi Qar, Nasiriyah, Iraq is a Ubaid Period (6500-3800 BCE) temple complex attributed to Ubaid. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal chamber 8 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 30.8169N 45.9774E controls access to Dhi Qar, Nasiriyah resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey temple-complex for Dhi Qar, Nasiriyah, illustrating Ubaid construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Scale of population vs agricultural catchment
- 02Ritual vs domestic use
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. 5000 BCE
- Period
- Ubaid Period (6500-3800 BCE)
- Culture
- Ubaid
- Purpose
- Ceremonial centre and pilgrimage focus with stratified deposits
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 5000 BCE
Initial construction of Eridu Temple Platform South Mound Annex — Western Terrace main structure
c. 882 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Eridu Temple Platform South Mound Annex — Western Terrace
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Eridu Temple Platform South Mound Annex — Western Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
30.8169° N · 45.9774° E · 11 m · 3 mapped features
Eridu Temple Platform South Mound Annex — Western Terrace — Main Temple-Complex Feature
dromosPrimary dromos at Eridu Temple Platform South Mound Annex — Western Terrace — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits
30.8173° N · 45.9769° EEridu Temple Platform South Mound Annex — Western Terrace — Secondary Enclosure
structureAncillary structure at Eridu Temple Platform South Mound Annex — Western Terrace — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits
30.8155° N · 45.9778° EEridu Temple Platform South Mound Annex — Western Terrace — Outlier Rock Art Panel
enclosureOutlier enclosure panel linked to Eridu Temple Platform South Mound Annex — Western Terrace ceremonial landscape
30.8153° N · 45.9757° E