The Italian Historical-Archaeological Mission in Kurdistan (MiSAK) was established in 2021 by the International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies (ISMEO) and the International Institute of Kurdish Culture in Rome (IICK). MiSAK currently focuses its activities on the diachronic and multidisciplinary study of two important archaeological sites, Sarqala and Gawr Tepe, both located in the Garmian area of the Sulaymaniyah Governorate.
Sarqala is an important multi-phase archaeological site located near today’s village of Sarqala, about 26 km northwest of the city of Kalar. To date, MiSAK archaeologists, together with their Kurdish colleagues of the Garmian Antiquities Directorate, have identified several areas of interest: a Parthian necropolis (3rd century BCE – 3rd century CE) which includes a Vault-Tomb containing rich grave goods now preserved at the Garmian Civilisation Museum in Kalar, the Qalla Kon tell and Kharaba tell, probably part of a significant ancient settlement, a baked-brick culvert located in the centre of the modern village, and structures of uncertain function locally known as the ‘Jewish Cemetery’.
Between 2021 and 2023, MiSAK collected detailed topographic data for the area, began the systematic collection of surface archaeological material, and initiated geophysical prospecting and stratigraphic excavations in the different areas of the Sarqala site.
In particular, a trench excavated on top of Qalla Kon in 2023 revealed two occupation areas preliminarily dated to the Parthian-Sasanian and Islamic periods. The materials found, however, suggest an occupation of the site from at least the 5th millennium BCE.
The site of Gawr Tepe, located approximately 8 km south of Kalar, includes numerous tells that constitute the remains of a large settlement dating between the Sasanian period (3rd to 7th century CE) and the mid-Islamic period. Structures of an imposing palace, probably founded in the Sasanian period but further occupied during the Islamic era, are still visible on the main tell, Gawr Tepe A.
In 2023, MiSAK, thanks to the support of the Kurdish colleagues of the Garmian Antiquities Directorate, carried out a detailed topographical survey of the site and commenced the systematic collection of surface archaeological materials. The quantity and quality of the materials found confirm the importance of the site and suggest a continuous occupation of the area from the Sasanian period until at least the 13th century CE. Particularly significant are the rich architectural stucco decorations that adorned the palace during the different phases of occupation.
The MiSAK archaeological fieldwork is flanked by significant activities aimed at safeguarding, promoting and valorising cultural heritage; these include the restoration of the Parthian Vault Tomb discovered in 2013 in Sarqala and the creation of the digital inventory of the Garmian Civilisation Museum.
All MiSAK initiatives are supported by MAECI and carried out in collaboration with the KRG General Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage, the Garmian Antiquities Directorate, the Department of Cultural Heritage of Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, and, for geophysical prospections, the Geophysical Laboratory of Roma Tre University.
