The Structure and Hydrology of the Early Dynastic City of Lagash (Tell Al-Hiba) From Satellite and Aerial Images

Abstract

Satellite imagery and UAV (drone) photos taken at Lagash (modern Tell al-Hiba) after rainstorms and at times of elevated soil moisture show dense near-surface architecture that dates mostly to the Early Dynastic III period (c. 2600–2350 BCE) and covers several hundred hectares. Archaeological knowledge of Mesopotamian urban structure has mostly been limited to isolated excavated neighbourhoods, such as at third millennium BCE Tutub (Khafajah) or Eshnunna (Tell Asmar), and early second millennium BCE Ur (Tell al-Muqayyar). The morphology of Tell al-Hiba and the quality of the imagery sets create a unique situation that enables the reconstruction and comparison of neighbourhoods across almost the whole of the city of Lagash. Mapping of near-surface architectural remains, streets, and water features reveals a discontinuous city located within a watery, possibly marshy environment.

The Flooding of Lagash: Evidence for Urban Destruction under Lugalzagesi, the King of Uruk

“…An ongoing sitewide magnetometer survey has begun to reveal extensive signatures of architectural features across neighborhood-sized spaces (Pittman et al 2023a(Pittman et al , 2023b, while satellite and UAV imagery reveal traces of architecture and intracity canals (Hammer 2022;Hammer et al 2022; Figure 2B). However, interpretation of remote-sensing data is often inconsistent with geomorphological, chronological or archaeological evidence because of taphonomic processes requiring further geoarchaeological testing (Pittman et al 2023a).…”

“…However, interpretation of remote-sensing data is often inconsistent with geomorphological, chronological or archaeological evidence because of taphonomic processes requiring further geoarchaeological testing (Pittman et al 2023a). Here, we focus on a geomorphic feature consisting of a meander scroll bar built by water (Figures 2B and 3) that was previously associated with the Going-to-Nigin Canal (Hammer et al 2022). As we discuss below, geoarchaeological sampling and subsurface imaging reveal a different story.…”

“…This paleo-feature has distinctively pale, linear and slightly elevated soils, typical of relict human-made canals in Lower Mesopotamia (e.g., Geyer and Sanlaville 1996: 400). However, the feature associated with the GNC at Lagash by Hammer (2022) and Hammer et al (2022) is ~90 m at its widest and exhibits relict scroll and counter point bar deposits (Figure 3). Scroll and counter point bars (Figure 3B) form when meandering water meets erosion-resistant bank material (e.g., Sylvester et al 2021), either natural or anthropogenic (e.g., built-structures or debris).…”

The Flooding of Lagash: Evidence for Urban Destruction under Lugalzagesi, the King of Uruk

“…An ongoing sitewide geomagnetic survey has begun to reveal extensive signatures of architectural features across neighborhood-sized spaces (Pittman et al 2023a(Pittman et al , 2023b, while satellite and UAV imagery analyses have been interpreted to show traces of architecture and intracity canals (Hammer 2022;Hammer et al 2022;Stone in press;Figure 2B). However, interpretation of remote-sensing data is often inconsistent with geomorphological, chronological or archaeological evidence at Tell al-Hiba because of dynamic taphonomic processes from recent and past fluvial and aeolian activity, and therefore requires geoarchaeological testing (Pittman et al 2023a).…”

“…Here we focus on a geomorphic feature consisting of a meander scroll bar that has been unmistakably built by water (Figures 2B and 3). Based on analysis obtained by remote sensing data, this fossil feature had been reconstructed by E. Hammer (2022) to be an active ED waterway which she further associated with the Going-to-Nigin Canal known from texts (Hammer et al 2022). As we discuss below, geoarchaeological sampling and subsurface imaging tell a different story.…”