Iraq Uncovers 5,000-Year-Old Monumental Temple in Sulaymaniyah

Iraq Uncovers 5,000-Year-Old Monumental Temple in Sulaymaniyah
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Archaeologists in Iraq have announced the discovery of a massive 5,000-year-old structure at the “Kani Shai” site in Sulaymaniyah province, believed to be one of the oldest temples in human history. The find offers new insights into the early stages of civilization during the Uruk period (3300–3100 BCE), which saw the emergence of the first cities in Mesopotamia.

Researchers say the building’s size and architectural precision indicate it was likely a major religious or official complex, possibly used for rituals and worship. The excavation has also yielded remarkable artifacts, including a gold necklace reflecting the social status and wealth of the era, cylinder seals used for administrative purposes, and decorative clay cones forming geometric mosaics—among the earliest examples of architectural art in the ancient world.

Located approximately 480 kilometers north of the ancient city of Uruk, the site demonstrates the extensive cultural and political networks linking northern and southern Mesopotamia. Excavations at Kani Shai, ongoing since 2013, have revealed layers of continuous human settlement dating back to the Copper Age around 6500 BCE through the third millennium BCE. Experts note that each stratum provides valuable insights into the development of architecture, writing, and early urban life in the region.