Ziggurat of Tell al-Rimah (Qattara)
Tell Rimah Ziggurat · Qattara Ziggurat · Karana
Old Babylonian to Mitanni·Amorite / Old Assyrian·🇮🇶 Nineveh Governorate, Tell al-Rimah (Qattara/Karana), Iraq
About
About Ziggurat of Tell al-Rimah (Qattara)
Planned Old Babylonian city of Qattara/Karana at Tell al-Rimah near Sinjar, founded c. 1800 BCE with central ziggurat dedicated to Adad. Massive 130 × 130 m square high terrace/massif with temple atop, surrounded by residential quarters and 450 m city wall with three gates. Ziggurat 45 × 45 m base, ~30 m high originally, 2 stages with temple of Adad and Ishtar. Excavated by David Oates/British School 1964–71. Rebuilt under Shamshi-Adad I and later Mitanni. Shows Amorite urban planning in Upper Mesopotamia.
Why it mattersRare planned Old Babylonian city; links Upper Mesopotamian Amorite network to Mari/Assur; Mitanni phase documents Hurrian overlay.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Founder — Shamshi-Adad I or local Qattara dynasty
- 02Function of high terrace — temple vs palace
Theories
- 01Shamshi-Adad's Upper Mesopotamian empire planned colony
- 02Mitanni re-use with Hurrian deities
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. 1800–1500 BCE (Old Babylonian / Shamshi-Adad I)
- Period
- Old Babylonian to Mitanni
- Culture
- Amorite / Old Assyrian
- Builders
- Shamshi-Adad I then Qattara kings
- Purpose
- City temple ziggurat to Adad
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1800–1500 BCE (Old Babylonian / Shamshi-Adad I)
Initial construction
c. 1041 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
36.0000° N · 42.3011° E · 310 m · 3 mapped features
Rimah high terrace ziggurat
ziggurat45m Adad ziggurat on platform
36.0001° N · 42.3012° ECity wall circuit
wall450 m square city wall with gates
36.0000° N · 42.3015° ELower town residential
townAmorite houses with tablets
35.9997° N · 42.3008° E