Der, Archaeological site in Badra, Iraq
Der is an archaeological site located near the modern town of Badra in Iraq, containing the remains of an ancient settlement center. The site sits at the present-day mound of Tell Agar between river systems that once formed important trade routes.
The settlement began in the fourth millennium BCE and flourished especially during the Third Dynasty of Ur. Later, the place was shaped by conflicts between Mesopotamian kingdoms and Elam.
Der served as an important trading post and border station connecting Mesopotamia with the Elamite realm. People used its strategic location to exchange goods and maintain diplomatic relations between neighboring powers.
The site is located in Wasit Governorate in eastern Iraq and can be reached through the town of Badra. Visitors should check current safety and access conditions before traveling, as the situation in Iraq can change.
King Sargon II of Assyria suffered an unexpected defeat here against Elamite forces, a rare military setback for an otherwise victorious ruler. This event shows how even powerful empires encountered resistance at border places like this one.
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