Tell Madhur

Tell Madhur is an archaeological mound in the Diyala region measuring about 100 meters long, 80 meters wide, and rising about 2.5 meters above the surrounding land. The mound contains layered deposits spanning multiple periods of settlement.

A British archaeological team conducted four seasons of excavations between 1977 and 1980, uncovering remains from multiple settlement phases. The site later became submerged beneath the Hamrin Dam reservoir.

Excavations revealed an Ubaid-period house with separate rooms for storage, food preparation, and eating, showing how people organized their daily lives in early Mesopotamian settlements. The room layout gives insight into household activities and social patterns of that time.

The site is difficult to access as it lies beneath a reservoir and is mainly known through research documents and published excavation records. Visitors can view artifacts from the excavations in museums that display the findings from the work conducted there.

The walls of a structure in a lower level were preserved up to 2 meters high and featured rectangular mud bricks with red painted decoration. These painted surfaces offer a rare glimpse into the decorative practices of early Mesopotamians.

Location: Diyala Governorate

Height: 2.5 m

Length: 100 m

Width: 80 m

GPS coordinates: 34.38000,44.99000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:02