Tell al-Rimah — High Temple Mound (Qatara)
Old Babylonian to Middle Assyrian, c.2000–1350 BCE·Old Babylonian / Assyrian (Qatara/Karana)·🇮🇶 Ninawa Governorate, Sinjar Plain, Iraq
About
About Tell al-Rimah — High Temple Mound (Qatara)
Tell al-Rimah (ancient Qatara/Karana) high temple mound with Old Babylonian temple and casemate ziggurat-mimic platform (c.2000–1600 BCE). British School of Archaeology (Oates & Postgate 1964-71) excavated Temple of Geštinanna with adjoining palace of Iltani archive (500+ tablets). High mound 15 m with mudbrick retaining walls.
Why it mattersQatara archive — Old Babylonian women's palace letters; temple of wine goddess.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Qatara = Karana = Tell al-Rimah tri-naming resolution
Theories
- 01Amorite Sinjar kingdom outpost linking Assur to Mari
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.1900–1800 BCE
- Period
- Old Babylonian to Middle Assyrian, c.2000–1350 BCE
- Culture
- Old Babylonian / Assyrian (Qatara/Karana)
- Builders
- Amorite (Qatara dynasty)
- Purpose
- High temple — Geštinanna, then Adad; palace-town citadel
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.1900–1800 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c.500 CE
Major refurbishment / enlargement phase
c.1100 CE
Abandonment or conversion
1890–1930
Modern rediscovery and first scientific survey
On the ground
Structures & features
36.2600° N · 42.4520° E · 280 m · 2 mapped features
High temple — Geštinanna sanctuary
templeTemple in antis with altar-bench and tablet archive alleys
36.2601° N · 42.4519° EPalace of Iltani tablet archive rooms
palacePalace annexe with Iltani archive (c.1760 BCE tablets) on northeast slope
36.2599° N · 42.4521° E