University of Sulaimani

College of Engineering

Department of Architecture

The Citadel of Kirkuk

Prepared By : Supervised By :

Arez A. Rashid Omed J. Siddeq

Muhammad Xalil

Contents Preface 1

Location 2

Brief History 4

Timeline 5

Hurrian Architecture 7

Assyrian Architecture 9

Regional Architecture 12

Islamic Architecture 13

Conclusion 17

Resources 18

PrefaceThe report mainly focuses on the Citadel of Kirkuk from the beginning of time and its evolution through the different historic stages from the architectural perspective.

Islamic Tomb within the Castle

Location The citadel is located in the city of Kirkuk in Kurdistan region of Iraq

KirKuk

Map of Kurdistan

Location of the castle (Citadel) within the city of Kirkuk which is along the side of (XASSA) river.

Map of Kirkuk

Brief HistoryKirkuk dates back to the Sumerian times. In 1948 archaeological excavations in the city’s Arafa neighborhood uncovered copper tools and a calf statue.

Cuneiform writings found at the foot of Kirkuk Citadel indicate that in Babylonian times the city was called Erebga. The Assyrians named it Arrapha, and the King Nasirbal II built the Citadel between 884 and 858 BC as a military defense line. During the Roman era the city was known as Kergi Sluks and later Kergili. King Sluks was responsible for the construction of a strong rampart with 72 towers around the Citadel.

In 1294 AD Marco Polo named it Circura. The name Kirkuk first emerged during the time of Turcoman of Kara Koyunlu (1375 – 1468).

During Ottoman times Kirkuk was part of the province (vilayet) Mosul.

The city is rich of petroleum and natural gas. Natural gas was used centuries earlier by local people and shepherd for heating and cooking and they believed of a supernatural force in the land.

Time Line

5000 years ago ----- known as Arraphkha [Assyrian]. Located in the center of Assyria, Babylonia, and Media kingdoms.

2400 years ago ----- Founded by the Hurrians. Kirkuk was the capital of the kingdom of Gutium.

11th-10th BCE ----- Assyrian rule prospered.

7th BCE ----- Arabian empire of Sassanid conquered the region.

6th BCE ----- Medes [Hurrians] conquered Assyrians.

1055 ----- Toghrul from Seliuj [and his Turkish army] conquered Kirkuk.

1118 ----- Sassanid reclaimed back their territory.

1800s ----- Ottoman Empire strong during this time.

1918 ----- British took control of Kirkuk.

Hurrian ArchitectureRectangular shaped houses with narrow aisles

Walls made of clay

Map of Nuzi city in the Arrapha province

(South-west of Arrapha, 14 century BC)

Illustration of the housing system

I

Illustration of the housing system

Regional ArchitectureThe clay, stone, wood, adobe, mortar, mud, dirt, and straw are typical building materials.

Employing load bearing walls (which are over 35 centimeter or 1.148 feet thick).

Flat wooden roof that covered with dirt.

House

Islamic Architecture

Map of Kirkuk during the Ottoman reign

Symmetrical composition.

Emphasizing on geometrical forms and shapes.

Employing various decorative, organic, and geometrical patterns.

Carving geometrical forms through the mass.

No sculpture or human figure.

Islamic architecture Effect

Conclusion

1. Kirkuk is one of the oldest city in history

2. Many civilizations ruled Kirkuk and many architectural styles appeared

3.

Resources

1. Living in the ancient Mesopotamia

2. Bradt Iraq then and now

3. TTU Kirkuk Citadel Studio