Qal'at Sherqat
Country: Iraq
Region: Middle East
Period: ~ 2500-614BCE
Location: 35.456667°N, 43.2625°E
Description
Assur (or Ashur) was the first capital and religious center of ancient Assyria, located on the west bank of the Tigris River in modern-day northern Iraq. It emerged as a city-state around the 3rd millennium BCE and became the heart of the Assyrian Empire, named after the city and its chief deity, Ashur.
Modern Remains
Today, the ruins of Assur (Qal'at Sherqat) include ziggurats, temples, palaces, and fortifications. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the site has faced threats from conflict and development but remains one of the most important archaeological locations for studying Assyrian history, architecture, and religion. Excavations have revealed a wealth of inscriptions and artifacts illuminating life in the Assyrian heartland.