Archaeology and the ancient names of the old cities under Sulaimani in the light of the cuneiform & Classical records and the archaeological evidence

A re-evaluation of historical and archaeological evidence challenges the long-held identification of modern Sulaimani with the ancient city of Celonae, mentioned by Roman historian Quintus Curtius Rufus. The study suggests that Celonae was likely located in the northern edges of Garmian district within the Qaradagh ranges, based on Alexander the Great's documented route and Assyrian royal inscriptions referring to a mountain called Siluna. Additionally, the paper dismisses other proposed identifications for Sulaimani, such as Arrakdi (capital of Zamuan Lullubu) or Lagalaga, citing inconsistencies with cuneiform records and geographical evidence. Archaeological findings in Sulaimani, including Ubaid potsherds, Jamdet-Nasr seals, and human skulls, indicate a settlement dating back to the 5th-4th millennium BCE, providing new insights into the region's ancient history.

Aziz Marif, D. (2021). Archaeology and the ancient names of the old cities under Sulaimani in the light of the cuneiform & Classical records and the archaeological evidence. Twejer, 4(2), 547–588. https://doi.org/10.31918/twejer.2141.13