Hungarian team unearths 9000-year-old archaeological site in Sulaymaniyah’s Raparin

SULAYMANIYAH — A Hungarian archaeological team has discovered a site dating back 9,000 years in the Raparin independent Administration, Sulaymaniyah governorate, marking a significant contribution to the region’s historical record. The discovery was made during an excavation at the Tle mound in the Saruchawa sub-district.

The Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage in Raparin announced the successful conclusion of the ninth season of excavation, which began on September 5. The project is part of a partnership between the Kurdistan Region’s General Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage and Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary.

“The excavation work is crucial for uncovering the historical and archaeological truths of any nation,” the Directorate said in a statement. “Tle mound is one of those key archaeological sites, holding a wealth of historical and cultural significance.”

The excavation revealed evidence that the site has been continuously inhabited for 9,000 years, with findings ranging from early stone structures to Kurdish principalities, including the Soran Emirate between the 1330s and 1430s. Significant artefacts and architectural remains from various periods, including the Islamic era and Neo-Assyrian period, were also uncovered.

The Directorate emphasized the importance of the discovery, stating that it adds to the understanding of the region’s deep historical roots, particularly within the Kurdish and broader Mesopotamian context.

The Kurdistan Region is renowned for its rich archaeological heritage, home to some of the world’s most significant historical sites, from Paleolithic cave shelters to Neolithic settlements and ancient cities. According to Kaifi Mustafa Ali, General Director of Antiquities at the Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism, approximately 5,700 to 5,800 archaeological sites have been documented across the region.

Among the region’s notable paleontological discoveries is Shanidar Z, a Neanderthal woman whose remains, dating back approximately 75,000 years, were unearthed in 2018.