Discovery of a Rare Copper Piece Bearing the Name “Hulagu” at an Archaeological Site in Erbil

Discovery of a Rare Copper Piece Bearing the Name “Hulagu” at an Archaeological Site in Erbil

The Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage in Erbil announced today, Sunday, August 16, 2026, the discovery of a rare copper piece bearing the name of the Mongol leader “Hulagu” at the “Haza (215)” archaeological site. This was during an extensive “rescue” excavation conducted by a specialized local team in the plain of Erbil.

Nader Babakr, Director of Antiquities and Heritage in Erbil, stated in a press release that the project is being executed in collaboration between the General Directorate of Antiquities and the Department of Antiquities at Salahaddin University. He noted that this is the first time an excavation of this scale is conducted exclusively by local resources and personnel using advanced equipment, reflecting the development of specialized expertise in the Kurdistan Region.

Regarding the initial findings, Babakr explained that the “Haza” site contains a rich historical treasure, including dozens of seals, coins, pottery vessels, and decorations dating back to the Parthian and Sassanian eras. He confirmed that the most notable discovery is a copper piece engraved with the name “Hulagu,” dating back to his reign, along with indicators of a significant religious site in the area.

The Director of Antiquities and Heritage pointed out that recent surveys have proven that Erbil was historically composed of a network of small cities, hills, and extended walls. He noted that the historical area stretches from the Erbil plain to the borders of Kirkuk.

Babakr revealed statistics regarding registered archaeological sites, with 1,200 sites in Erbil, 400 in Koya, and 200 sites in the Harir and Shaqlawa areas. He affirmed that the comprehensive scientific results will be published upon the completion of fieldwork to officially register the “Haza” site as an important national site.