Excavations at Shaikh Marif, Iraqi Kurdistan
Preliminary Report of the First Season (2022)
Takahiro Odaka, Osamu Maeda, Takehiro Miki, Yuichi S. Hayakawa,
Perween Yewer and Hussein Hama Gharib

ABSTRACTThe Shahrizor Plain is in a mountainous basin in the eastern part of the Sulaymaniyah Governorate,
the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where evidence of prehistoric occupations has been increasingly accumulated by recent investigations. Regarding the chronology of its late prehistory, however, there are some
ill-defined archaeological gaps yet to be filled, the most critical of which lies in the early 6th millennium
cal. BC. To address this issue, new excavations began at Shaikh Marif in 2022, following investigations
at Shakar Tepe in 2019. Our work in 2022 successfully uncovered cultural deposits that yielded artefact
assemblages typical of the Late Neolithic period. The dates of the site were estimated to be approximately
6000 cal. BC and thus fill a part of the chronological gaps in the archaeological records of the late prehistory in this region.
KEYWORDS
excavation, Late Neolithic, chronology, regional variability, Shahrizor PlainINTRODUCTION

would flourish.
Nevertheless, our understanding of this process

The Late Neolithic period in the Near East canis still limited, particularly through empirical re-

be regarded as a bridge between neolithisation andsearch based on archaeological records. To address

urbanisation, two remarkably significant innova-

this issue, the Shahrizor Plain in the Sulaymaiyahtions that first occurred in human history. During

Governorate of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is

the second half of the 7th millennium cal. BC,

one of the most ideal research fields (Figs. 1 andfarming societies began to disperse from the Fertile2). This plain is an intermontane basin along theCrescent into the Mesopotamian Lowland, which

Zagros flanks, located in the eastern wing of the

had been wilderness. This event set the stage for

Fertile Crescent. Additionally, it opens into theurbanisation, in which the oldest civilised societies

Mesopotamian Lowland via the Diyala Valley, aAncient Civilizations and Cultural Resources, vol. 1 (2023), pp. 1-22
© Institute for the Study of Ancient Civilizations and Cultural Resources, Kanazawa University

Available online March 2023

T. Odaka, O. Maeda, T. Miki, Y. S. Hayakawa, P. Yewer and H. Hama Gharib

Fig. 1. Distributions of prehistoric sites in the Shahrizor Plain (based on the map by S. Mühl).

major tributary of the Tigris. Recently, archaeolog-

historic sites (Fig. 1), most are dated to the Late

ical fieldwork such as the Shahrizor Survey Project

Halaf, Ubaid, and/or Late Chalcolithic, ca. 5600-(SSP) directed by Simone Mühl and subsequent

3000 cal. BC (Nieuwenhuyse and Mühl 2016;

excavations at several sites have revealed rich ar-

Nieuwenhuyse et al. 2016b; Nieuwenhuyse 2018).

chaeological evidence in this plain (e.g., Altaweel

However, only a few sites have provided scarce ev-

et al. 2012; Nieuwenhuyse et al. 2016a; Wengrow

idence for 7000-5600 cal. BC. Our provisional sur-et al. 2016; Matthews et al. eds. 2020; Carter et al.

vey and study of the artefacts collected by the SSP

2020). However, our understanding of its local his-demonstrated that only three sites had traces of oc-

tory is just beginning to develop, and even basic

cupations around 6000 cal. BC (Odaka et al. 2019).

archaeological studies such as the spatio-temporal

Therefore, we submitted a proposal for excava-

framework of material culture, are still on the way

tions at these sites: Shaikh Marif I (SSP-37, in theto being established.

site numbering by the SSP), Shaikh Marif II (SSP-

Especially, there are some ill-defined gaps in43), and Shakar Tepe (or Gird-i Shakar, SSP-24) tothe chronology of late prehistory. One of these gaps

the General Directorate of Antiquities and Heritagelies between the 8th and late 6th millennia cal. BC.

in the Kurdistan Regional Government. In Septem-

Although the SSP has identified more than 40 pre-ber 2019, excavations were conducted at Shakar

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Excavations at Shaikh Marif, Iraqi Kurdistan: Preliminary Report of the First Season (2022)

Fig. 2. Landscape of the Shahrizor Plain. An arial

Fig. 3. Three mounds of Shaikh Marif,

view towards N from Shaikh Marif II, Sep. 2022.

viewed from NNE, Aug. 2017.

Fig. 4. Shaikh Marif within the dam reservoir,

Fig. 5. Shaikh Marif II and Wadi Shamlu,

viewed from SSW, Sep. 2019.

viewed from NE, Feb. 2017.

Tepe, which successfully resulted in revealing theenna), and Hussein Hama Gharib (adviser, Slemani

Late Neolithic deposit dated to ca. 6400-6000 cal.

Antiquities and Heritage Directorate).

BC (Odaka et al. 2020, in press). However, we have
not yet identified archaeological evidence from theearly 7th millennium and the early 6th millennium

THE SITE

cal. BC. To identify the latter, we decided to excavate Shaikh Marif II duing the 2022 season.

The arhaeological site of Shaikh Marif, located

The excavations were conducted from 27th Au-

ca. 500 m south of Gird-i Shamlu, was registered

gust to 23rd September 2022 by a team comprisingby the Iraq Museum (Baghdad) in 1943 (Moham-seven people: Takahiro Odaka (director, Kanazawa

med 2017: 116-117). In November 2012, the SSP

University), Osamu Maeda (vice-director, Univer-team surveyed along Wadi Shamlu, which flows

sity of Tsukuba), Perween Yewer (representative,

into the reservoir of the Darband-i Khan Dam di-

Slemani Antiquities and Heritage Directorate),

rectly from the north, and discovered several new

Takehiro Miki (archaeology, University of Tokyo),artificial mounds near Shaikh Marif. Sepecifically,

Yuichi S. Hayakawa (geology, Hokkaido Universi-

a cluster of two tiny mounds newly found duringty), Max Berghof (archaeology, University of Vi-

the survey, together with Shaikh Marif itself, areAncient Civilizations and Cultural Resources, vol. 1 (2023), pp. 1-22
© Institute for the Study of Ancient Civilizations and Cultural Resources, Kanazawa University3T. Odaka, O. Maeda, T. Miki, Y. S. Hayakawa, P. Yewer and H. Hama Gharib

called “Se Tapan” (“three hills” in Kurdish) by theflooded periodically, whereas it is ploughed whenlocal people. Therefore, we designated all three

the water level is low.

mounds “Shaikh Marif” (Fig. 3) which comprises

Among the surface collections from Shaikh

Shaikh Marif I (the original northern mound, SSP-

Marif II by the SSP, 105 potsherds were dated to37), Shaikh Marif II (a western mound also called

the Late Neolithic period, which is over half of all“Ash Shaikh Marif” by the locals, SSP-43) andsherds collected (Odaka et al. 2019). Most have

Shaikh Marif III (an eastern mound, SSP-38).

light-coloured surfaces often decorated with inci-

This landscape is seasonally cultivated today,sions, and their fabric comprises fine, compact clay

and the water of the dam-lake occasionally cov-

(Fig. 6). A similar type of pottery, sometimes calleders almost all mounds (Fig. 4). Owing to modern

Hassuna incised pottery, was recovered from Qalat

cultivation and erosion by flowing water, a large

Said Ahmadan (Tsuneki et al. 2015) and Tell Shim-amount of archaeological material was easily ob-

shara (Mortensen ed. 1970), associated with Has-

served on the surface. No prehistoric material wassuna painted pottery and Samarra painted pottery.

identified at Shaikh Marif III. However, numerous

Such pottery assemblages are known to be dated

Late Neolithic sherds were scattered on the otherto approximately 6000 cal. BC. Among the surface

two mounds, along with materials dated to younger

collections from Shaikh Marif II, however, no paint-

periods.

ed Neolithic sherds were identified, whereas a few

Shaikh Marif II is located approximately 100 m

were observed at Shaikh Marif I. Additionally, thesouthwest of the foot of Shaikh Marif I. The east-very fine fabric and some specific motifs of incision

ern half of this tiny mound in a circular plan isobserved in the pottery from Shaikh Marif II can besurrounded by a stream of Wadi Shamlu (Fig. 5).

considered unique attributes that are distinguishedBecause of its low elevation, the entire mound isfrom other “typical” Hassuna incised pottery foundFig. 6. Late Neolithic potsherds collected from the surface of Shaikh Marif II by the SSP, Nov. 2012.

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Excavations at Shaikh Marif, Iraqi Kurdistan: Preliminary Report of the First Season (2022)

at the sites in the Mosul region, such as Tell Has-

Tepe excavated in 2019, using an uncrewed aerial

suna (Lloyd and Safar 1945), Nineveh (Thompson

system (UAS) of the Parrot ANAFI (Fig. 7) andand Mallowan 1933; Gut 1995) and Yarim Tepe I

structure-from-motion (SfM) multi-view stereo(Merpert and Munchaev 1993). Furthermore, in the(MVS) photogrammetry. The UAS was operated

Shahrizor Plain, Early Halaf pottery from the ear-with a PIX4Dcapture mobile application. Morely 6th millennium cal. BC has not been identified

than 13 flights covering approximately 6 km2 were

(Nieuwenhuyse et al. 2016b). Thus, it can be as-

conducted. At each flight, the flight height was

sumed that this fine ware of Shaikh Marif II directly

set at 150 m above ground, and the flight course

preceded Late Halaf pottery and dates to the early

was planned to have 80-90 % image overlap. The

6th millennium cal. BC. One of the main aims ofcamera angle was set as a diagonal view (75°) to

our excavations was to test this hypothesis for the

avoid errors in flat lands using SfM-MVS photo-ceramic chronology.

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPINGThe mound of Shaikh Marif II is approximately
2 m high, with a circular plan of 70 m in diameter.
It is located on the northern coast of the Darband-i
Khan Dam reservoir. The surrounding landforms
show gently undulating slopes, where slightly-incised meander channels of the Wadi Shamlu, flowing southward, enhance relief.
As lake water was absent in 2022, we performed topographic mapping not only in andaround the mounds of Shaikh Marif but also in a
wider range that covers Shaikh Marif and Shakar

Fig. 7. UAS (Parrot ANAFI) in operation at the site.

Fig. 8. GNSS base station and a rover.

Ancient Civilizations and Cultural Resources, vol. 1 (2023), pp. 1-22
© Institute for the Study of Ancient Civilizations and Cultural Resources, Kanazawa University5T. Odaka, O. Maeda, T. Miki, Y. S. Hayakawa, P. Yewer and H. Hama Gharib

Fig. 9. Orthorectified mosaic image and topographic map (10-cm contour) of Shaikh Marif.

Fig. 10. Orthorectified mosaic image and topographic map (1-m contour) around Shaikh Marif(background: TripleSat satellite image in Nov. 2019).

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Excavations at Shaikh Marif, Iraqi Kurdistan: Preliminary Report of the First Season (2022)

grammetry. The geographic coordinates of multiple
ground control points (GCPs, n=13) were measured
in the field using global navigation satellite system
receivers (emlid Reach, model RS and RTK) withan overall accuracy of 48 cm using post-processing
kinematic corrections and SfM-MVS photogrammetry (Fig. 8). The resultant maps from 2,147 photographs (10-cm resolution digital elevation model(DEM), DEM-derived topographic contour lines,
and a 5-cm resolution orthorectified mosaic images) are shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

THE EXCAVATIONS
Three excavation areas were designated for
excavations at Shaikh Marif II. The first were twosquares measuring 4 × 4 m, which were laid on thesummit of the mound as the main area (Operation
A). Additionally, two 4 × 2 m sounding trenches

Fig. 11. Operation A, viewed from SW, 3rd Sep. 2022.

were opened on the gentle slope of the mound,
15 m to the west (Operation B) and 15 m to thesouth (Operation C) of Operation A (Fig. 9).

soil (Layer 3) also contained many artefacts. However, the lowest cultural layer of yellowish-brown

Operation A
This operation, located on the flat summit of thehard soil (Layer 4) yielded much fewer artefacts.
We then reached the virgin soil approximately
1.3 m below the modern surface level.

mound, comprises two 4 × 4 m squares arranged in

For artificial structures, at least 20 pits werean east-west direction and divided by a 1 m wide

discovered in this operation. Most of them were ap-

baulk (Fig. 11).

parently dug from Layer 1 or the uppermost level

The cultural deposits yielding the Late Neolith-of Layer 1, that is, the bottom of the topsoil layer.

ic materials were recovered below the topsoil, al-Some of the latter cases are likely to date to a period

though they were disturbed by several pits from thelater than the Late Neolithic and three pits yielded

later period. The stratigraphy can be divided intosome modern garbage. However, structures belong-four layers based on observations of the sections

ing to the Late Neolithic period are quite limited.

(Fig. 12). The uppermost layer (Layer 1) comprised

Nevertheless, a very deep cylindrical pit (Str. 013)

reddish-brown soft soil. Below it, a greyish-brownfound in Layer 3 of the eastern square was remark-soil layer (Layer 2) accumulated. Many artefacts

able (Figs. 13 and 14). At a depth of 2.8 m in thiswere recovered, particularly from the lower level ofpit, we reached the water table and stopped digging

this layer. The preceding layer of dark-brown hard

the fill further down to the bottom. Although it was

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T. Odaka, O. Maeda, T. Miki, Y. S. Hayakawa, P. Yewer and H. Hama Gharib

Fig. 12. Section profiles of Operation A.

not possible to see the deposit below the water table, probing with a metal stick indicated that thesoft fill of the pit continued at least 50 cm further
downward. Its plan is circular, with a diameter ofca. 1.0 m at the upper level. At least six niches,
probably made by footsteps, were arranged on thewall, and it is likely that this pit was dug as a water
well. Although it is not very clear, the well widens
Fig. 13. Str. 013, water well.

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at the lower level and then becomes narrower again
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Excavations at Shaikh Marif, Iraqi Kurdistan: Preliminary Report of the First Season (2022)

Fig. 14. Layer 3 in the eastern half of Operation A.

to ca. 0.7 m in diameter as it continues downward.

was reddish-brown soft soil below the topsoil, andIt might be that the widened part was the originalLayer 2 was greyish-brown soil. Both layers arebottom of the well, which was later dug deeper

apparently identical to those in Operation A. Layer

when the level of the water table was lowered.

3 was comparable to that in Operation A but cannot be observed in the eastern part of Operation B.

Operation B

Layer 4 was greyish-brown soil that lay only in theeastern half of this operation and includes abundantThis operation was arranged on the western

artefacts as well as Layer 3. Layer 5 was a yellow-

slope of the mound between Operation A and a

ish-brown, hard soil yielding few artefacts, which

modern path running along the western edge of theseemed likely to be identical to Layer 4 in Oper-

mound in the form of a trench measuring 4 m long

ation A. Finally, the virgin soil reached some part(east-west) and 2 m wide (north-south).

of the trench at a depth of ca. 0.9-1.0 m below the

Although several pits from the later periods aremodern surface.

present, the stratified layers are apparently Late

In addition to the simple pits, we could not iden-

Neolithic deposits, as in Operation A. Five cul-

tify any solid architectural features in this opera-tural layers were distinguished (Fig. 15). Layer 1

tion.

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9T. Odaka, O. Maeda, T. Miki, Y. S. Hayakawa, P. Yewer and H. Hama Gharib

Fig. 15. Section profiles of Operation B.

Fig. 16. Section profiles of Operation C.

uring 4 m long (north-south) and 2 m wide (eastwest).
Cultural accumulation in this operation was approximately 0.5 m thick. It can be divided into twolayers, although both commonly comproses compact and crumbly reddish-brown soils (Fig. 16).
We recovered two structural features in Layer
1: one was a shallow simple pit (Str. 201) and theother was a deep cylindrical pit (Figs. 17 and 18).
Fig. 17. Str. 202, water well.

The latter (Str. 202) has a circular plan measuringca. 1.0 m in diameter. We dug to a depth of ca.
2.5 m but could not reach the bottom level. Three

Operation C
Operation C was designated on the southernslope of the mound in the form of a trench meas-

10

niches, which probably functioned as footsteps,
were arranged on the wall. These characteristics are
obviously identical to those of Str. 013 in Operation
A. Thus, this pit can be regarded as a water well.
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Excavations at Shaikh Marif, Iraqi Kurdistan: Preliminary Report of the First Season (2022)

Fig. 18. Layer 1 in Operation C.

“husking trays” are included in this ware-type, al-

THE FINDS

though the number is quite limited (Fig. 19: 11, 12).
Hassuna Standard Wares have fine fabrics, in-

Neolithic Pottery

cluding a small quantity of sand. The surface wastreated with careful smoothing, and its colour var-

Potsherds are quantitatively dominant among

ies from buff to orange buff. Sometimes, bitumen

the artefacts recovered through excavations, andadheres to the sherds, which seems to be applied

most are dated to the Late Neolithic period. The

for repairing cracked or broken pottery (Fig. 20: 16,

Late Neolithic pottery assemblage demonstrates

17). Geometric incisions are often made on the ex-

two major ware-types: Coarse Plant-tempered Wareterior surface (Fig. 20: 1-8, 13-28). Repeated short(Fig. 19) and Hassuna Standard Ware (Fig. 20).

oblique lines (“slashes”) are common in the motif.

Coarse Plant-tempered Wares are generallycomprise thick-walled, large-sized heavy vessels.

In addition, a few specimens with geometric paintare present (Fig. 20: 27).

A large number of large straws are tempered to

We formerly called the latter ware-type “Finethe fabric containing mineral particles, and incom-

Clay Ware” (Odaka et al. 2019; Odaka in press) topletely oxidised dark-core sections are often ob-

stress the difference from “typical” Hassuna Stand-served. The sherds are mostly plain, without any

ard Ware known in the Mosul region. However, thedecorations, although a few specimens decorated

specimens recovered in the 2022 season showedwith appliqué were identified (Fig. 19: 7). So-calledsome variations within the same category. It can be

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T. Odaka, O. Maeda, T. Miki, Y. S. Hayakawa, P. Yewer and H. Hama Gharib

Fig. 19. Coarse Plant-tempered Wares.

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Excavations at Shaikh Marif, Iraqi Kurdistan: Preliminary Report of the First Season (2022)

Fig. 20. Hassuna Standard Wares.

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T. Odaka, O. Maeda, T. Miki, Y. S. Hayakawa, P. Yewer and H. Hama Gharibclassified into a few sub-types, and perhaps Fine

Shakar Tepe. Provisionally, we can estimate theClay Ware should be one of them. The fabrics aredate to be around 6000 cal. BC for the Late Neo-

not always fine and compact. Therefore, we sim-lithic deposit at Shaikh Marif II. This will be tested

ply follow the traditional terminology and call thisby radiocarbon dating.

ware-type “Hassuna Standard Ware.”Nevertheless, Hassuna Standard Ware recovered from Shaikh Marif II is not identical to that

Later Pottery

from “typical” Hassuna sites in the Mosul region.

We found potsherds that belonged to periods

The presence of very fine fabric and some specificlater than the Neolithic in the surface collection,

motifs of incision, such as “slashes” can be con-

topsoil, and disturbance pits within the Neolithic

sidered unique attributes distinguishing them from

deposit. Most of these later potsherds can be clas-“typical” Hassuna pottery. It is regarded as a local

sified into two ware-types: buff fine-medium warevariant known at a few sites in the Iraqi Zagros

with comb-like incisions and reddish-brown coarse

foothills, as suggested by the surface collection

ware. In addition, several minor ware-types wereanalysis. Specifically, the examples from Shakar

also identified.

Tepe (Odaka et al. 2020, in press) and Matarrah inFirst, buff fine-medium ware (Fig. 21) has a

the Kirkuk region (Braidwood et al. 1952; Odaka

fabric similar to Hassuna Standard Ware in colour,2019) are most comparable to the Hassuna Stand-but it is wheel-made and has horizontal and wavy

ard Ware at Shaikh Marif II.

comb-like incisions either on its body or neck. We

In addition to the two major ware-types, a few

confirmed two types of incisions: thin comb-likesherds possibly regarded as Fine Plant-tempered

incisions (Fig. 21: 1, 3-6, 8-9, 11-12, 14, 21) andWare were recovered. This ware-type, which was

thick incisions (Fig. 21: 7, 13). Incised wavy lines

defined at Shaikh Marif I and Shakar Tepe (Odaka

sometimes forms elliptical circles (Fig. 21: 8-9).

et al. 2019, 2020), is characterised by fine fabric

Buff wares also include a spout (Fig. 21: 15) andincluding small plants and minerals.

handles (Fig. 21: 10, 17-20). Regarding rim shape,

Although a detailed analysis has not yet beena simple-rounded neck rim was predominant (Fig.

conducted, the pottery assemblages seem homoge-

21: 1, 3). A ribbed rim was also observed (Fig. 21:

neous between the layers and operations. Regard-2). A ring base was identified among base sherds

ing the number of sherds, Hassuna Standard Ware(Fig. 21: 23).

was dominant in all layers. Conversely, the domi-

Second, we discovered reddish brown burnishednant ware-type in the Upper Late Neolithic layers

coarse ware in the topsoil (Fig. 22). The fabric col-of Shakar Tepe is not Hassuna Standard Ware but

our ranged from reddish-brown to dark-brown. The

Coarse Plant-tempered Ware. In general, the fine-core of the fabric is dark brown in colour, indicat-

ware category increased during the Late Neolithic

ing inadequate firing conditions. The coarse fabricperiod in the Near East (cf. Nieuwenhuyse 2008).

includes coarse limestone sand and grey sand. It

Additionally, only a few fragments of “husking

has a simple-rounded, short-necked rim (Fig. 22:

trays” were identified at Shaikh Marif II, whereas

2-4). Two lines of horizontal fingernail-like impres-they were abundant at Shakar Tepe. These facts

sions and two to three lines of ridges were appliedsuggest that the Late Neolithic assemblage of Shai-just below the rim (Fig. 22: 2-3, 11). Various types

kh Marif II was chronologically later than that ofof handles exist, including long ones (Fig. 22: 1),

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Excavations at Shaikh Marif, Iraqi Kurdistan: Preliminary Report of the First Season (2022)

Fig. 21. Buff fine-medium wares.

Fig. 22. Reddish-brown burnished coarse wares.

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T. Odaka, O. Maeda, T. Miki, Y. S. Hayakawa, P. Yewer and H. Hama Gharib

short ones (Fig. 22: 5-6), and a handle with a roundtheir collapse (Al-Houdalieh 2008; Uçar 2019).

clay button in its upper part (Fig. 22: 12). In ad-

They are red paste and elbow-shaped, resembling

dition to the handles, a “lug” was also observed“Elbow-type, red paste pipes” from Kutu Han, Tur-

(Fig. 22: 10). Its exterior surface was covered bykey (Uçar 2019: Figure 5, o). This type was like-red slip and then sometimes burnished. Although

ly to have been produced in the 18th-19th century

information regarding its base shape is still scarce,(Uçar 2019: 123).

a round base was found (Fig. 22: 9). The best parallel ware-type has not yet been discovered. Oneof the candidates is “Kurdish ware”, belonging toChipped Stone Artefacts

the Ottoman period. This ware was reported at the

The chipped stone assemblage recovered acrosssite of Bakr Awa (Miglus et al. 2013: 70, Fig. 41.

Operations A, B, and C in the 2022 season includesd). Buff fine-medium wares were often unearthed

1,650 chert and 47 obsidian artefacts. Some were

together with reddish-brown, burnished coarse

found in the top layer and in pits from later ages,

ware. Whether this implies their contemporaneity

but their techno-typological features suggest thator the mixed and disturbing situation of the topsoil

most are intrusions from the original Neolithicof Shaikh Marif II remains uncertain.

contexts. Therefore, all the chipped stone artefacts

Third, other than these two major ware-types,

recovered in the 2022 season are reported togeth-

several minor ware-types later than the Neolithic

er. No marked chronological change was identified

were found, among which are sherds of green-

throughout the occupational sequence, and no dis-glazed ware (Fig. 23: 4-6) discovered mainly in the

tinctive differences were observed in the assem-

topsoil. In addition, although not pottery sherds,

blages between Operations A, B, and C.

small, mould-made clay objects (Fig. 23: 2-3) are

Chert (and possibly radiolarite) is a major raw

unique examples from Shaikh Marif II. These arematerial locally available near the site. Its qual-

likely to be parts of Ottoman clay tobacco pipes

ity varies with colour ranging from grey to red-used from the beginning of the 17th century until

dish-brown and sometimes green (Fig. 24: 1-3).
Greyish chert with black flecks is the most common. The type of chert is very similar to that used
at Shakar Tepe, which is located on the other sideof the Tanjero river valley (Odaka et al. in press).
These chert artefacts clearly represent the flake
industry. Over 95 % of all the chert artefacts areflakes and flake cores. A majority of flakes are
thick and have multidirectional scars on their dorsal faces, often covered with the cortex. Elongated flakes with a blade-like shape (Fig. 24: 3) arealso involved, but the number is very limited. The
platforms of the flakes are usually large and flat,and their platform edges were not well prepared
before knapping. All the cores are flake cores,

Fig. 23. Miscellaneous ceramics.

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Excavations at Shaikh Marif, Iraqi Kurdistan: Preliminary Report of the First Season (2022)

Fig. 24. Chipped stone artefacts.
1, 2: large robust blades (chert), 3: blade-like flakes (chert), 4: pressure-detached blades (obsidian),5, 6: sickle blades (chert), 7: borer (chert), 8: end-scraper (chert), 9-12: corner-thinned blades (obsidian).

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T. Odaka, O. Maeda, T. Miki, Y. S. Hayakawa, P. Yewer and H. Hama Gharib

duced were identified. Core shaping was rarely

oratory identified that 19 are from Nemrut Dağ, two

performed, and many were abandoned in the ear-from Bingöl A, and two from Bingöl B (the detail ofly stages of core reduction. These suggest that thethe provenance study will be published elsewhere).

flakes were detached as an ad-hoc production by

Many obsidian artefacts are in a form of pres-direct percussion using only roughly shaped coressure-flaked blades (Fig. 24: 4), which were not pro-made of local chert. A few regular, pressure-flaked

duced on-site but imported in the form of blades.

blades, sometimes used as sickle blades (Fig. 24:

Although several flakes are included in the assem-5, 6), are also included in the assemblage, but they

blage, there is no evidence of obsidian blade pro-must have been imported from the outside because

duction.

there is no evidence for on-site blade production at
Shaikh Marif II.

Of particular interest are the three side-blow
blade-flakes and the six corner-thinned blades

These characteristics of the chert assemblage(Fig. 24: 9-12). These are characteristic tool types

are echoed by those of Shakar Tepe. The flakes andfrequently used in the Late Neolithic, particular-

flake cores from both sites are typologically iden-

ly in the Proto-Hassuna and Hassuna contexts intical and made of the same type of local chert. At

the Eastern Fertile Crescent, where obsidian fromboth sites, no bullet cores or other types of pres-southeast Anatolian sources was exclusively cir-sure-blade cores, which are characteristic of theculated (Nishiaki 1993). Three side-blow blad-

Mlefatian industry that is typical to the Neolithic

er-flakes and five corner-thinned blades from Shai-sites along the Zagros foothills (Kozłowski 1999),

kh Marif II are made of Nemrut Dağ obsidian, andwere used. Formal tools such as microliths, backed

one corner-thinned blade is of Bingöl A obsidian,

blades/bladelets, and diagonal-ended blades, whichsuggesting a connection between Shaikh Marif

comprise other elements of the Mlefatian lithic tra-

II and other sites in the Eastern Fertile Crescentdition, are entirely absent.

through obsidian circulation. Side-blow blade-Four large and robust blades (Fig. 24: 1, 2) areflakes have also been recovered from Shakar Tepe,reminiscent of Shakar Tepe’s examples (Odaka et

but corner-thinned blades are the first example re-al. 2020), although those from Shaikh Marif II arecovered in the Zagros foothill region and the evi-slightly smaller. They are made of local chert simi-

dence from the southernmost site in their currently

lar to that used for flake production and are knapped

known geographical distribution.

by direct percussion without elaborate core shaping

Another characteristic type of tool that indicatesand platform edge treatment. Other examples ofa regional connection associated with obsidian cir-this type of large, robust blade are known from Ma-

culation is Çayönü tools, also known from sites intarrah (Braidwood et al. 1952: pl. X).

the Eastern Fertile Crescent from the Pre-Pottery

Obsidian artefacts account for only 2.5 % (47Neolithic to the Late Neolithic. A single example

pieces) of all the lithic artefacts. A great majority

from Shaikh Marif II is a fragment of the Çayönü

has a greenish tinge when examined in transmitted

tool, reused as a small scraper. It is made on a wide

natural light and indicates that it originates fromand thick blade of Nemrut Dağ obsidian and has

the sources of Bingöl or Nemrut Dağ in southeast

steep inverse retouch on its lateral edges and a

Anatolia, about 600 km away from Shaikh Marif.

ground, matte ventral surface.

Geochemical sourcing of 23 obsidian artefacts us-

To summarise, the chert assemblage froming portable XRF by the Manchester Obsidian Lab-

Shaikh Marif II is clearly different from the Mle-

18

Ancient Civilizations and Cultural Resources, vol. 1 (2023), pp. 1-22
© Institute for the Study of Ancient Civilizations and Cultural Resources, Kanazawa University

Excavations at Shaikh Marif, Iraqi Kurdistan: Preliminary Report of the First Season (2022)

Fig. 25. Small finds.

fatian lithic tradition typical of Neolithic sites in

Braidwood and Howe eds. 1960: Fig. 5) which

the Kurdistan region. While the obsidian artefacts

demonstrates a link between the two sites. One

demonstrate the links between Shaikh Marif II andconical clay token has a tiny hole on the top that

other sites in the north, suggesting that the site wasis not perforated through the other end (Fig. 25: 2).

not isolated at all, the local lithic production atThree clay spindle whorls (Fig. 25: 3) show mor-

Shaikh Marif II, as well as that of Shakar Tepe, mayphological features typical of the Late Neolithic.

demonstrate another trajectory in the development

Several bone implements were also recovered, but

of lithic industries in the Late Neolithic period in

all are broken. Three fragments of glass bracelets

this region.

were also found (Fig. 25: 5) but they are obviously
non-Neolithic objects found in the later age pits or

Small Finds

disturbed contexts, as in the case of two blue beads(Fig. 25: 4).

The number of small finds is limited, and mostwere recovered from contexts not associated withstructures. Two polished stone objects that have an

CONCLUSION

oblique protrusion (or a curved tang) are notable(Fig. 25: 1). One is made of white stone, possibly

Our 2022 campaign at Shaikh Marif II docu-

marble or limestone, and the other, slightly smaller

mented the cultural remains of the Late Neolithic

with its protruding part broken, is made of black

occupation, which probably covered around 6000

stone. A similar example has been reported at Ma-

cal. BC. Therefore, this new evidence may pro-tarrah (Braidwood et al. 1952: Fig. 20, Plate XII;

vide important data to achieve one of our goals by

Ancient Civilizations and Cultural Resources, vol. 1 (2023), pp. 1-22
© Institute for the Study of Ancient Civilizations and Cultural Resources, Kanazawa University

19

T. Odaka, O. Maeda, T. Miki, Y. S. Hayakawa, P. Yewer and H. Hama Gharib

filling some of the chronological gaps in the local

for their kind support: Mr. Nawshirwan A. Moham-archaeological records of the Shahrizor Plain. Fur-

med, Mr. Kazuya Shimogama, Dr. Yu Itahashi, Prof.

thermore, the finds imply the existence of a distinc-

Yoshihiro Nishiaki, Prof. Hirotoshi Numoto, and Prof.

tive material culture in this region, which has not

Akira Tsuneki. Finally, we thank the local people who

yet been clarified. Abundant pottery sherds provide

worked together with us during the 2022 season. This

opportunities to examine the details of the local

field study was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientif-

material culture in this period, as well as chipped

ic Research (KAKENHI) from the Japan Society for thestone artefacts. In addition, the two water wells are

Promotion of Science (Nos. JP21H00003, JP21H00590,

remarkable structures, although other architectural

JP19H05030 and JP19K01111).

remains are poorly preserved.
Moreover, we succeeded in creating topograph-

Takahiro Odaka

ic maps covering an extensive range, owing to theInstitute of Liberal Arts and Science,
Kanazawa University

extremely low water level of the dam. It includes anarea between two sites we have excavated, Shaikh
Marif and Shakar Tepe: the area which is usually
covered with dam-lake water. This result provides
an important clue for examining the topography

Osamu Maeda

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,
University of Tsukuba

Takehiro Mikiand environment before the construction of the

The University Museum,
University of Tokyo

Darband-i Khan Dam.
At the end of the 2022 season, all excavated areas were backfilled, as we judged that the overall
information on the Late Neolithic deposit at Shaikh
Marif II was adequately obtained. Next, we plan

Yuichi S. Hayakawa

Faculty of Environmental Earth Science,
Hokkaido University

to excavate a neighbouring Late Neolithic mound,
Shaikh Marif I. Bringing together the results andPerween Yewer

Slemani Antiquities and Heritage Directorate

the current data from Shaikh Marif II and Shakar
Tepe, we will continue to explore the little-known
period of the Late Neolithic in the Shahrizor Plain.

Hussein Hama Gharib

Slemani Antiquities and Heritage Directorate

This must contribute to understanding the historicalrole of this region in the oldest transition from neolithisation to urbanisation throughout the humanhistory.

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