Yarim Tepe, Neolithic settlement in Sinjar valley, Iraq
Yarim Tepe is a Neolithic archaeological site comprising three distinct mounds in the Sinjar valley, revealing the remains of early farming settlements. Multiple layers of excavated earth show mud-brick construction and evidence of communities that lived and worked across different periods.
Soviet archaeologists conducted systematic excavations from 1969 to 1976, uncovering settlements from the Hassuna, Halaf, and Ubaid periods beginning around 6000 BCE. This work established the site as a key location for understanding early Mesopotamian communities.
Decorated pottery vessels with animal designs, stone implements, and female figurines reveal how early communities expressed themselves through craft and daily objects. These finds show what mattered to people in their spiritual and practical lives.
The site is located roughly 7 kilometers southwest of Tal Afar at an elevation of about 350 meters above sea level. Sturdy footwear is recommended due to uneven terrain and exposure, and visitors should prepare for the open landscape.
Excavations revealed the earliest known pottery kiln in Mesopotamia, showing how people developed ceramic production techniques in this region. Additional finds included evidence of early metalworking such as copper beads and a lead bracelet.
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