ASOR Editorial Note: The ASOR Team is pleased to share a report from the inaugural Shepard Urgent Action Grant for stabilization work at the Tabira Gate at Ashur. These grants are intended to provided emergency funds to carry out critical stabilization, excavation, or documentation projects. Because time of of the essence with these proposals, funds for the grants can be disbursed 4-6 weeks after an application is received. The Tabira Gate at Ashur is an ideal inaugural project because the mudbrick structure was in danger of irreparable damage if repairs were not made before the rainy season this fall.

The Shepard Urgent Action Grant enabled a team from the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) to manufacture the mudbricks required to stabilize the structure, to pay for the added testing measures and PPE, and to pay a Community Liaison Officer responsible for interviewing the local community. The following report from Dr. Tobin Hartnell of AUIS provides a wonderful illustration of how these grants can provide critical support for time-sensitive projects.

Site Background and Significance

When the site of Aššur was founded in the mid-third millennium BCE, the eponymous god Aššur was virtually indistinguishable from countless other gods. Rather, the Sumerian god Enlil (King of the Gods) and goddess Ishtar (God of War and Fertility) were amongst the most significant local gods. By the end of the third millennium (during the Ur III dynasty, 2112 – 2004 BCE), the god Aššur evolved into the dominant local god. By the Old Assyrian period (c. 19th century BCE), Aššur grew to become the dominant god in māt Aššur (the land of Assyria, i.e. northern Mesopotamia).

From the city’s foundation in Sumerian times until its destruction in 612 BCE, the city of Aššur never lost its connection to the dominant female goddess Ishtar (God of War and Fertility). The Tabira Gate serves as the unique link between the main sanctuary of the gods (ina libbi, the heart of the city), and Ishtar’s gardens (the bit akītu). The gateway served as the primary route for processions of people and gods who would visit Ishtar’s gardens or Aššur’s ziggurat and temple. Given Assur’s status as the pre-eminent sanctuary of northern Mesopotamia, there was likely regular traffic along the processional way and through the Tabira Gate, especially during the Spring festivals.

The destroyed Tabira Gate at the World Heritage Site of Ashur. (Photo: Tobin Hartnell, AUIS CACHE)

The Tabira Gate visible today resembles the Middle Bronze Age (18th century BCE) triple arch city gateway of Tel Dan (Israel-Palestine), yet the kings of Aššur constructed the gateway with baked brick. The archaeological arrangement of the gateway implies a connection to the Terrasse des Neuen Palastes (Terrace of the New Palace), seemingly first built by the Assyrian King Aššur-uballit I (1353 – 1318 BCE). Thus, the gateway visible today is most likely originally a Middle Assyrian structure (c. 14th century BCE).

Today, the Tabira Gate serves as a primary symbol of the archaeological site because it is one of the few ancient structures that stand vertically above 1 m. Together with the ziggurat, the gateway serves as an iconic feature of the ancient site for visitors.

Shepard Urgent Action Grant Enables Critical Repairs

Arch during stabilization work. (Photo: Akam Omer Ahmed, AUIS CACHE)

ISIL attempted to destroy Ashur’s Assyrian-era gateway (the Tabira Gate) in May 2015 (ASOR CHI Weekly Report 42-43) by setting an explosive between the Central and Outer Arch. Whilst the explosion resulted in significant damage to the pillars supporting both arches, the Outer Arch remained particularly vulnerable to collapse because it lacked concrete reinforcement. Over the subsequent five years, bricks from the arch itself periodically fell whilst the damaged pillar gradually weakened through exposure to the elements.

In September 2020, the Center for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) launched a project to stabilize the damaged pillar. This project was jointly funded by an ALIPH Foundation Emergency Grant and ASOR’s Shepard Urgent Action Grant. The Shepard Urgent Action Grant fully funded the necessary protective health equipment to support the team during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ASOR’s contribution also supported the work of our Community Liaison Officer (Akam Omer Ahmed) who interviewed the local community about their attitudes to heritage. Kak Akam also helped coordinate the project tasks with our construction partner (Bashtabia Organization for the Arts) and the authorized representatives of the State Board of Archaeology and Heritage (SBAH). Finally, ASOR’s grant supported making two thousand extra mud bricks, so that the project could continue with any urgent actions during the rainy season.

I am pleased to report that the stabilization project was successfully completed. The arch now stands under its own weight and it is in no immediate danger of falling. However, significant work remains to be done. The baked brick floor of the gateway is no longer water-proof, and the outer facade is badly cracked. The Central and Inner Arches still need significant attention. AUIS is ready to work with our partners to implement the next stage of rehabilitation, as further funding becomes available.

Thank you to the ASOR Shepard Urgent Action Grant Committee, to the local Iraqi Representatives of SBAH, to the Minister of Culture, His Excellency Hassan Nadhem, and his team for supporting our rehabilitation work at Ashur. Thank you to our construction partner, Bashtabia Organization for the Arts. Thank you also to Mrs. Yalda Razmahang, who oversaw the Community Outreach Project, as well as His Excellency, ex-Minister of Science and Technology, Faris Jejjo, who helped coordinate permissions to visit Ashur over the last two years. Thank you to all of our students who worked at Ashur over the last two years, including Adam Azad Tawfeeq and Mohammed Dler.

-Dr. Tobin Hartnell, Director of AUIS Center for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

AUIS Center for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

AUIS CACHE Facebook

This is the inaugural Shepard Urgent Action Grant. Established in 2020 with annual contributions, the “Shepard Urgent Action Grants” program was created to support emergency and rapid response activities on archaeological sites in the greater Mediterranean region. While preference will be given to excavation projects and teams with current ASOR affiliation, applications will be considered from all projects. Non-affiliated teams may apply for affiliation at the same time that they submit a Shepard Urgent Action Grant application. Read more about applying for a Shepard Urgent Action Grant here.