Enslaved Africans, an uprising and an ancient farming system in Iraq: Study sheds light on timelinesArchaeological dating of ridge and canal features in southern Iraq indicates that the extensive agricultural system persisted for centuries after the 9th-century Zanj rebellion, challenging assumptions that the revolt caused immediate economic decline. The earthworks were constructed and used over an extended period, suggesting ongoing agricultural activity well beyond the rebellion.
Archaeologists have discovered hundreds of administrative tablets from the ancient Sumerian city of Girsu, revealing the surprisingly detailed and extensive bureaucracy of the Akkadian empire (2300-2150 BC). These tablets represent the earliest physical evidence of imperial control and provide insight into daily life, governance, and even the roles of women in Mesopotamian society.
