The University of Udine’s new archaeological research project in Iraqi Kurdistan aims to study the site of Bazhera, which features the remains of a structure used as a rest and protection facility for merchants and travellers. Research on this site will shed light on the settlement history of this region in the Islamic period.
On the one hand, the project seeks to understand the relationship between the structure and occupants (i.e. how many people could be accommodated and where) and between the structure and the surrounding area, such as the village and agricultural spaces. On the other hand, it aims to understand the role of the structure in the region’s communication and trade network, especially during the Ottoman period (early 16th-early 20th century).
The interdisciplinary survey programme will allow for reconstructing the extent of the site and fully understanding its function, defining the construction techniques employed, and offering new information on this settlement’s material culture.
In cooperation with the Department of Antiquities in Dohuk, the project will promote diverse initiatives to inform and engage the local community about the ongoing activities to collect evidence on the history of the site and the surrounding area.