Arrapha, Archaeological site in Kirkuk, Iraq
Arrapha is an archaeological site buried beneath modern Kirkuk, revealing remnants of walls and buildings from the Bronze Age. The most prominent feature is an elevated citadel built on an ancient mound where people lived for thousands of years.
The site began in the Bronze Age and saw occupation by successive empires. Under the Middle Assyrian period from 1365 to 1050 BC, it became important after Assyrian forces conquered the kingdom of Mitanni.
The name Arrapha comes from Aramaic and means "healer." Walking through the site, you notice layers of occupation from different peoples who lived here across many centuries.
The site lies buried beneath the modern city and is difficult for visitors to access. Security concerns in the region currently make visits nearly impossible, and excavation work is limited.
The site contains pottery and artifacts from many different cultures, ranging from Hurrians and Mitanni to Assyrians, Medians, and Persians. These layers allow archaeologists to read the complex history of the place like chapters in a book.
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