Tell Rashid
تل رشيد · Rashid Hamrin · Tel ar-Rashid
Ubaid through Early Dynastic I (c.4000–2800 BCE); Ubaid 4, Uruk, Jemdat Nasr, ED I·Ubaid → Uruk colonial (southern Mesopotamian) → Jemdet Nasr → ED I Diyala·🇮🇶 Diyala Governorate, Hamrin basin, central Hamrin, Iraq
About
About Tell Rashid
Hamrin Uruk-period settlement (c.3800–3100 BCE) with stratified Ubaid–Uruk–ED sequence: salvaged by Michael Roaf & Postgate (British, 1977) revealing Late Chalcolithic Ubaid village capped by Uruk bevelled-rim bowls, numeric tablets and Uruk cylinder sealings on jars — direct Uruk colonial or trade presence east of Diyala. Overlying Jemdet Nasr and ED I houses show post-Uruk ruralisation with painted Brayza ware. Demonstrates Uruk intrusion into Hamrin piedmont competing with Susa–Euphrates network. Now under Hamrin lake terrace; Roaf ceramic typology anchors Hamrin chronology.
Why it mattersHamrin proof of Uruk cylinder sealing east of Diyala — supports Uruk colonial model beyond Euphrates plain.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Was Uruk presence colonial administrators or seasonal traders?
- 02Where is Rashid’s Uruk kiln — bevel-rim production local?
Theories
- 01Algaze Uruk colonial enclave vs Stein Hamrin aggressive trade diaspora
- 02Roaf Hamrin Uruk–ED continuity as southern annexation test
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.4000 BCE Ubaid hamlet; Uruk outpost 3500 BCE; ED I houses 3000 BCE
- Period
- Ubaid through Early Dynastic I (c.4000–2800 BCE); Ubaid 4, Uruk, Jemdat Nasr, ED I
- Culture
- Ubaid → Uruk colonial (southern Mesopotamian) → Jemdet Nasr → ED I Diyala
- Builders
- Ubaid → Uruk colonial (southern Mesopotamian) → Jemdet Nasr → ED I Diyala builders
- Purpose
- Hamrin piedmont Uruk trade outpost with cylinder-sealed storage for Diyala–Euphrates route
- Abandoned
- c.2800 BCE ED I abandonment before ED II Madhhur phase
- Rediscovered
- Salvage 1977 Michael Roaf (British School Iraq) Hamrin Dam survey & excavation
- Excavation
- Excavated
2000
Initial work at Tell Rashid
2015
Stratigraphy and geophysics synthesis for Tell Rashid
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5100° N · 45.3210° E · 165 m · 3 mapped features
Uruk levels
settlementBevelled-rim scatter and sealings
34.5102° N · 45.3212° EED I houses
settlementJemdet Nasr painted houses
34.5098° N · 45.3208° EUbaid basal
settlementUbaid painted houses under Uruk
34.5100° N · 45.3210° E