Kisurra, Archaeological tell and ancient Sumerian city in Al-Qadisiyah Governorate, Iraq
Kisurra is an archaeological tell of an ancient Sumerian city located on the western bank of the Euphrates River in Al-Qadisiyah Governorate. The entire site consists of multiple raised sections covering several dozen hectares, with layers of ruins from different periods of settlement and habitation.
The settlement functioned as an administrative center during the early dynastic period of Sumerian civilization. Excavations revealed that the site was occupied continuously over several centuries and served as a seat of local government and organization.
This was an important administrative center where Sumerians managed trade and organized their affairs. The clay tablets found here reveal how daily life worked, what goods people exchanged, and how different cities maintained connections with one another.
The site is best visited with guides or organized tours, as it is an active archaeological dig requiring appropriate access. Visitors should check local conditions before traveling and prepare for uneven terrain and sparse shade.
Thousands of cuneiform tablets were uncovered during excavations, with many preserving complete administrative records from entire years. This tablet collection allows researchers to reconstruct a rare detailed picture of how Sumerian bureaucracy actually operated.
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