The ancient city of Shaduppum, also known as Tell Harmal, stands as a remarkable structure that has endured the ravages of time, its irregular and heavily fortified rectangle bearing witness to centuries of human civilization.
Comprising five distinct occupation layers, Shaduppum offers a treasure trove of historical insights. The most recent layer, Layer 1, believed to date back to the Kassite era, has yielded a wealth of discoveries in recent excavations. Among these finds are over 2,000 clay tablets, meticulously inscribed with cuneiform script. These tablets unveil a tapestry of narratives, ranging from tales of Creation to accounts of the Great Flood and the legendary Epic of Gilgamesh, providing a window into the beliefs and stories of the ancient inhabitants.
Layer II unveils an even more substantial construction and serves as the repository for the majority of the cuneiform tablets. Dating back to the reigns of Eshnunna rulers such as Dadusha and Ibal-pi-el II, this layer was tragically destroyed by fire, purportedly at the hands of Hammurabi during his conquest of the city in his 31st year.
Layer III, marked by the construction of a fortification wall, harks back to the earlier reigns of Ipiq-Adad II, Ibal-pi-El I, Belakum, and Naram-Suen of Eshnunna. Layer IV, meanwhile, offers tantalizing glimpses into the reigns of previously unknown rulers like Ammi-dashur, shedding new light on the historical timeline. This layer corresponds to the era of Sumu-la-El, the ruler of Babylon.
Layer V, though relatively sparse in archaeological findings, contains significant dates attributed to Ammi-dashur and the enigmatic ruler Iadkur-El. Further excavations have revealed deeper levels of occupation in Layers IV and V, reaching back to the days of the Akkadian Empire, showcasing the city’s enduring legacy across millennia.
These remarkable discoveries are a testament to the rich history and culture of the people who once thrived in this great city. They offer invaluable insights into the daily lives, beliefs, and societal structures of ancient Mesopotamia, providing a captivating narrative for both visitors and scholars alike.