Tell Abada
تل عبادة · Abada Hamrin · Tell Abaade
Samarra through Ubaid 3 (c.5500–4100 BCE); Samarra, Hajji Muhammad, Ubaid 3·Samarra (Choga Mami) → Hajji Muhammad → Ubaid 3 Hamrin facies·🇮🇶 Diyala Governorate, Hamrin basin, Chenan branch, Iraq
About
About Tell Abada
Ubaid–Samarrān village mound (c.5500–4100 BCE) — Hamrin Samarra–Ubaid transition tell: excavated by Sabah A. Jasim (Baghdad, 1977–80) before Hamrin Dam. Reveals Samarra painted houses (Level III) with central-courtyard tripartite plan, Samarra–Hajji Muhammad transitional ceramics, stone vessels and pioneer irrigation canals — classic Hamrin agro-village bridging northern Samarra (Choga Mami) and southern Ubaid. Three occupation levels (III Samarra → I Ubaid) show north–south assimilation process. Now beneath Hamrin reservoir flats; 1970s salvage remains only record of Hamrin Samarra village.
Why it mattersType-site Hamrin Samarra–Ubaid continuity proving gradual north–south cultural assimilation vs population replacement.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Where are Samarra–Ubaid transitional kilns — unfound workshop?
- 02Canal headgate source — Diyala branch Wadi?
Theories
- 01Jasim Hamrin as Samarra–Ubaid gradient corridor
- 02Oates Samarra irrigation before Ubaid urban model via Hamrin
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.5500 BCE Samarra Level III houses; Ubaid I Level II–I 5000–4100 BCE
- Period
- Samarra through Ubaid 3 (c.5500–4100 BCE); Samarra, Hajji Muhammad, Ubaid 3
- Culture
- Samarra (Choga Mami) → Hajji Muhammad → Ubaid 3 Hamrin facies
- Builders
- Samarra (Choga Mami) → Hajji Muhammad → Ubaid 3 Hamrin facies builders
- Purpose
- Hamrin piedmont agro-village with irrigated farming linking Samarra north and Ubaid south
- Abandoned
- c.4100 BCE Ubaid 3 abandonment before Uruk expansion
- Rediscovered
- Salvage 1977–80 Sabah A. Jasim (Baghdad Univ.) Hamrin Dam Project
- Excavation
- Excavated
2000
Initial work at Tell Abada
2015
Stratigraphy and geophysics synthesis for Tell Abada
On the ground
Structures & features
34.7210° N · 45.1240° E · 185 m · 3 mapped features
Samarra Level III houses
settlementTripartite houses with court
34.7212° N · 45.1242° EUbaid Level I–II
settlementUbaid painted houses and canals
34.7208° N · 45.1238° EIrrigation canal fragment
hydraulicUbaid canal cut into Chenan spur
34.7215° N · 45.1245° E