Tell Harmal — Shaduppum Temple Mound
Shaduppum — Harmal · Old Babylonian twin temples · Diyala fortress mound
Isin-Larsa / Old Babylonian (2000–1760 BCE)·Amorite / Old Babylonian (Eshnunna kingdom)·🇮🇶 Baghdad eastern Diyala, Tell Harmal (ancient Shaduppum), Iraq
About
About Tell Harmal — Shaduppum Temple Mound
Tell Harmal — Shaduppum Temple Mound in Baghdad eastern Diyala, Tell Harmal (ancient Shaduppum), Iraq is a Isin-Larsa / Old Babylonian (2000–1760 BCE) pyramid/mound site attributed to Amorite / Old Babylonian (Eshnunna kingdom) culture. The tell/mound rises markedly above the plain, with stratified mudbrick and burnt levels documenting successive rebuilds. Excavations reveal early planning, drainage and cult installations. Comprehensive stratigraphy and published sections allow detailed phasing. Systematic survey, magnetometry and radiocarbon provide chronology.
Why it mattersKey Amorite / Old Babylonian (Eshnunna kingdom) mound/pyramid informing urbanism and monumentality debate; long stratigraphy anchors regional chronology; type-site for local ceramic sequence.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of earliest level — radiocarbon vs ceramic seriation unresolved
- 02Function of platform — defense vs ritual vs flood refuge debated
Theories
- 01Urban genesis — mound as autonomous centre vs secondary foundation
- 02Hydraulic hypothesis — platform responding to irrigation and flood control
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.2000–1760 BCE (Isin-Larsa / Old Babylonian)
- Period
- Isin-Larsa / Old Babylonian (2000–1760 BCE)
- Culture
- Amorite / Old Babylonian (Eshnunna kingdom)
- Purpose
- Pyramidal mound / tellsite — Amorite / Old Babylonian (Eshnunna kingdom) settlement with monumental platform, controlling regional trade and irrigation
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.2000–1760 BCE (Isin-Larsa / Old Babylonian)
Initial major platform/tell settlement founded
c.2000 BCE
Peak occupation with citadel and lower town
1900
Early antiquarian soundings
1950–80
Modern stratigraphic excavations establish sequence
On the ground
Structures & features
33.3100° N · 44.5000° E · 34 m · 3 mapped features
- Tell Harmal — Shaduppum Temple Mound — Citadel/platform moundpyramidMain high mound/platform with mudbrick terraces and retaining walls — central pyramid/mound33.3103° N · 44.5003° E
- Tell Harmal — Shaduppum Temple Mound — Lower town/lower moundsettlementLower settlement sprawl with streets, drains and domestic quarters at foot of main mound33.3092° N · 44.4995° E
- Tell Harmal — Shaduppum Temple Mound — Temple/granary complextempleCult or storage complex on platform summit — plastered hall with podium and drainage33.3105° N · 44.4996° E