ERBIL — German archaeologists from the University of Kiel, in partnership with Kurdish archaeologists, unearthed significant artifacts dating back to 4,500 BC across multiple sites within Soran district in Erbil province.

“Archaeology is important for Kurdistan because it gives the time of death to the history of the Kurdish people. So only archeology can tell you about the times when no written sources are available,”  Tim Kerig, a research assistant at Kiel University's Institute of Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology, told Kurdistan 24.

Kerig underscored the distinctive role of archaeology, highlighting its capacity to reveal the everyday lives of individuals who might not have found a place in royal records. While historical chronicles often focus on kings, it's the ordinary people who leave their narratives etched in the remnants of these strata.

Meanwhile, Hidayat Hussein, a local Kurdish archaeologist, told the report that the present findings pertain to the Chalcolithic and Neolithic eras, dating back approximately 4,500 years BC. Notably, they have unearthed noteworthy stone specimens, including oxides, believed to have been transported from Anatolia.

Soran boasts over 1,200 archaeological sites, drawing international teams from universities worldwide into collaborative efforts with local experts on a regular basis.