Dur-Kurigalzu

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Aquarquf (or Agarquf, Aqar Quf, Tell- ' Abyad ) is located about 30 km west of Baghdad. Here was the middle of the second millennium BC during the period of the Kassites of Kurigalzu I. founded the major Kurigalzu ( KUR- TI). It was the capital of the Kassite kings of Babylonia.

Excavations

The city has been excavated in the 40s by the Directorate General of Antiquities, headed by Tahar Baqir.

Was excavated a large collection of inscribed tablets, a temple district and a palace complex. In addition to numerous metal objects and pottery were discovered a collection of fired clay statues. This show naked female figures, probably associated with the cult of Ishtar, heads of men, among them a well- modeled bearded head that is painted in different colors, figures kneeling worshipers, figures of her puppies lactating dogs, some with inscriptions with evocations of Gula, goddess of healing. Stone ornaments but also those with gold, silver and lapis lazuli were found. Three frescoes from the 14th century BC that show human figures, were found on a wall of Enlil temple. The palace contained H murals that were executed in red, cobalt blue, Prussian blue, yellow, white and black pigments. The paintings have parallels in Nuzi ( 15th century) and in Kar - Tukulti -Ninurta ( 13th century). Located procession representations were at the door passes through the extremely thick walls. Remains of these paintings were stored in the Iraq Museum in Baghdad.

The ziggurat is still about 57 meters high and has been partially reconstructed.

Management

Enlil - Bani, a descendant of Amilatum, šandabakku of Nippur was raba'num of KUR -TI. On a clay kudurru of Kuri - galzu I. He is also mentioned as nešakku. He was probably also šandabakku of Nippur under this ruler and raba'num of KUR -TI. His successor under Burna - Burias II was Ninurta -nadin- ahhe that keep most researchers for his son. His successor was Enlil - kidinni occupied under the following three rulers.