Publications
Lost Cities in the Near East: Reassembling Knowledge through Archival Research and Excavation Documentation
Research on the 'lost cities' of Western Asia, such as Palmyra and Samarra, reveals that early explorations and archaeological practices have shaped narratives about their urban histories, often marginalizing certain periods. By analyzing archival research, historical literature, and excavation documentation, this study demonstrates how political regimes and scholarly traditions influence contemporary understandings of these cities. The findings highlight the need for a more inclusive approach to reconstructing knowledge about these significant heritage sites.
Garden and River in the Land between Two Rivers
A strategic alignment of palace gardens along the Tigris River in Samarra, Mesopotamia, was pivotal in shaping Abbasid royal court life and urban planning. This study reveals that the design of these gardens prioritized visual and physical connections to the river, offering both practical advantages—such as water access—and courtly functions, underscoring their cultural and functional significance. By synthesizing textual and archaeological evidence, researchers demonstrate how this relationship between gardens and the Tigris defined daily life in the capital cities of Baghdad and Samarra, highlighting the river's central role in the region's history.
The City of Samarra Under the Abbasid State, A Bright History and Immortal Relics
Samarra, once the capital of the Abbasid State for nearly half a century, stands out as a pivotal Islamic city characterized by its opulence and historical significance. This study reveals that Samarra was not only a political hub but also a center of intellectual and artistic flourishing under the rule of eight Abbasid caliphs. It highlights the city's unique urban and historical identity, marked by grand palaces and luxurious structures that have left enduring relics despite significant destruction over time. The research employs a dual approach, examining both the historical narrative and the material antiquities to demonstrate how history is immortalized through these remnants. By synthesizing ancient and modern sources, it underscores Samarra's neglected but profound legacy in the context of the Abbasid Empire.
A Reassessment of the Location of the Mural Paintings in the Caliphal Palace of Samarra
A reassessment of the mural paintings in the Caliphal Palace of Samarra reveals their location to be more complex and widespread than previously documented. Contrary to earlier publications, these rare examples of figural decoration in an Islamic palace were found not only in private areas but also in a few public spaces within the palace complex. This finding challenges established interpretations and provides new insights into the architectural context and medieval use of the palace. The study employed a rigorous approach, analyzing archival records, museum collections, and medieval texts to reconstruct the palace's layout and contextualize the paintings' locations.
Planning and Design of Highways According to AASHTO Standards Using Remote Sensing Technology (Samarra City as a Case Study)
A proposed highway design for Samarra, Iraq, leverages remote sensing technology and AASHTO standards to optimize connectivity between Qadisiyah neighborhood and the UNESCO-listed Old City. The study achieved a high-capacity, low-cost road solution by minimizing junctions (two) and curves, using satellite imagery and specialized software (GIS & Civil 3D). This approach reduces traditional field survey costs while ensuring compliance with international design standards, offering a scalable model for urban infrastructure in heritage-rich areas.
Samarra, Madinat al-Zahra y sus irradiaciones arqueológicas
A significant parallel is drawn between the archaeological cities of Samarra (founded 836) and Madinat al-Zahra (founded 936), despite their differing scales. Both faced similar challenges in excavation, beginning around 1907/1908, due to limited prior knowledge beyond written documentation. The discovery of luster ware pottery in Madinat al-Zahra initially suggested chronological parallels with Samarra, though these were later found unsustainable. This misinterpretation had lasting implications for scientific literature, highlighting the complexities of dating and comparing ancient urban sites. The study underscores the importance of rigorous archaeological methodology to avoid such errors.
The glass walls of Samarra (Iraq): Ninth-century Abbasid glass production and imports
Advanced Abbasid glass production and imports were confirmed through high-resolution analysis of glass artefacts from Samarra, revealing distinct compositional profiles linked to local craftsmanship and selective Byzantine influences. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) identified two related plant ash groups in architectural glass, pointing to a thriving ninth-century industry near the Abbasid capital. The study also corroborated historical accounts of glass production in Samarra while highlighting the cultural significance of luminous, reflective glass walls in Islamic palaces.
How to Found an Islamic City
A groundbreaking study on the foundation of Islamic cities reveals that urban planning in early Islam was driven by strategic and symbolic considerations, with Samarra Archaeological City serving as a key example. The research combines historical accounts and archaeological evidence to challenge conventional narratives, avoiding value judgments while providing nuanced insights into the motivations behind city foundations. Notably, Sayf b. Umar's detailed description of Kufa's establishment in 638 AD offers the most comprehensive surviving account of an early Islamic urban foundation, shedding light on the rapid post-conquest development of cities like Samarra. This work builds upon earlier scholarship, including Hourani and Stern's seminal volume, to redefine our understanding of Islamic urbanism.
Medieval Urban Landscape in Northeastern Mesopotamia
A comprehensive analysis of the medieval urban landscape in northeastern Mesopotamia reveals the existence and dynamics of over fifteen urban sites, spanning from the 6th to the 19th centuries. These settlements, located between the Great Zab, Little Zab, and Tigris rivers, exhibit remarkable preservation due to the arid steppe environment, making them highly identifiable through various types of satellite imagery. The study integrates archaeological data, historical topography, and pottery analysis from surface surveys to provide a holistic understanding of the urban network's diversity, temporal dynamics, and interrelationships within the hinterland of Baghdad and Samarra. This research offers new insights into the complex urban systems that thrived in the Near-Eastern Islamic period.
Social Media and Heritage Preservation
Social media has emerged as a powerful tool in heritage discourse, particularly in documenting and critiquing the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage during armed conflicts. The study highlights how social media platforms have been used to record and discuss the tragic loss of heritage, such as the destruction of UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Ashur (Qal’at Shergat) and Samarra Archaeological City by militant groups like ISIS. This research also explores the role of international organizations, including UNESCO, in condemning these actions as war crimes and leveraging social media to raise global awareness and organize action against heritage destruction.
Checkpoints as Gendered Spaces
Checkpoints in urban landscapes serve as gendered spaces, reflecting the complexities of war, cities, and national heritage. This study challenges traditional archaeological methods by using memory and personal experiences as data, offering a new approach that transcends the limitations of conventional archival research. Focusing on Samarra Archaeological City alongside Baghdad, Najaf, and Karbala, the research documents ethnographic experiences from 2009 onward, revealing how checkpoints symbolize fractured heritage in conflict-affected regions. The findings highlight the intersection of materiality, space, and lived experiences, providing a critical lens to understand the impact of war on urban landscapes and cultural identity.
Polarimetric Multifrequency and Multi‐incidence SAR Sensors Analysis for Archaeological Purposes
A comparative analysis of ALOS PALSAR and RADARSAT-2 satellite sensors reveals distinct advantages for detecting shallow underground archaeological structures, with RADARSAT-2's higher spatial resolution (9 m) offsetting PALSAR's deeper soil penetration (L-band). This study highlights the complementary nature of these sensors in identifying superficial remains at UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Samarra and Djebel Barkal. Polarimetric SAR data analysis, supported by archaeological maps and optical satellite imagery, demonstrates the potential for remote sensing to advance archaeological research, particularly where ground-truth surveys are politically restricted.
A multi-sensor polarimetric analysis over archaeological sites
Polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) analysis reveals distinct configurations for optimal detection of archaeological structures. Comparing RADARSAT-2 and ALOS-PALSAR data at similar incidence angles (23.10°, 26.20°, and 27.07°), researchers identified that varying RADARSAT-2 incidence angles (27° vs. 45°) significantly enhances subsurface feature visibility in UNESCO-listed Samarra, Iraq, and Gebel Barkal, Sudan. This multi-sensor approach demonstrates that adjusting radar incidence angle can improve the identification of buried structures, offering a non-invasive method for archaeological mapping.
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