ABSTRACT This paper examines the role of pigs in Mesopotamian cultures from the Uruk to Old Babylonian periods through a synthesis of zooarchaeological, textual and iconographic data. Pigs constituted a major component of Mesopotamian foodways, particularly in cities, and this paper synthesises the different and complementary lines of evidence for suid–human relations written in bones, clay tablets and artistic representations. It summarises regional and temporal variations in pig husbandry, including potentially different husbandry practices in northern and southern Mesopotamia. I also examine a seemingly paradoxical situation: despite their dietary significance, pigs were underrepresented in administrative texts and iconography, suggesting they held a different symbolic value than other livestock. Indeed, across time and space, pigs held little significance to institutional economies recorded in administrative documents. Pigs therefore reveal important differences between the subsistence and political economies of ancient Mesopotamia.

Objectives: This article re-examines the downfall of Assyria and the rise of Neo-Babylonia as major turning points in the history of Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq), arguing that the core issue is not political succession alone but the deeper process of cultural inheritance and development among Mesopotamian peoples. Methods: The study adopts a historical-interpretive approach that reads political change through the lens of cultural continuity. It synthesizes evidence on shared traditions, institutions, and intellectual practices across successive Mesopotamian communities in order to trace lines of transmission and transformation. Results: The analysis suggests that early Iraqi communities forged a shared cultural core which the Assyrians later refined and expanded. Subsequently, the Babylonians inherited this Assyrian legacy and added a further stage of civilizational development in the Neo-Babylonian period. Thus, what appears as a sequence of political rises and falls can be re-read as a continuous, cumulative process of cultural elaboration. Conclusions: The study concludes that the central key to interpreting Mesopotamian history lies in cultural communication and continuity rather than dynastic change alone. Through this sustained transmission and reworking of cultural forms, a coherent historical vision can be constructed that explains how the Mesopotamian experience began, how it evolved, and the forms in which it ultimately culminated.

Investigation of the role of physical education in the Babylonian civilization is the focus of this research. The primary purpose of this research is to determine, through analysis, the impact of sports, described in this research as a means of education and socialization in order to avoid the view of sports as recreation alone, on achieving this goal. This research uses a descriptive analytical methodology in order to identify the nature of physical activities by investigation of cuneiform writings, images, and archaeological finds. The findings show that sports during the period of the Babylonians represented a necessary aspect of religious rituals, where power-lossexercise and endurance races represented blessings from gods. Large-group sports such as wrestling, hunting, and endurance races served as agents for socialization, instilling discipline, bravery, and teamwork among the youths. Physical education was also a key social trait that ensured military readiness, hence social stability. Therefore, it is important to conclude that the role of physical education in the Babylonian culture was not marginal but a core element that defined identity and the values of the group through moral standards. The relevance and contribution of the Babylonian physical education shed insights into modern debates on physical education through the understanding of the relationship that exists and existed in the past between physical culture and physical education. The contribution of the work is in its approach to the developmental aspect of Mesopotamian sports.

It is undeniable that any contemporary cultural phenomenon is an inseparable part of its historical roots. To understand the current reality of such a phenomenon, one must look beyond the historical horizon to trace its origins, motivations, and the factors that ensured its continuity or integration into society. This study investigates questions such as: Why were the inhabitants of Mesopotamia distributed between rural settlements and urban centers? How did these patterns evolve over time, influencing human relations, social gatherings, governance, and legal systems? How did the image of the ruler and the concept of authority emerge, and what were the foundations of leadership and decision-making? The research also examines the origins and development of urbanization, its trajectory, and the emergence of religious phenomena, which eventually shaped the divine laws governing human life and interactions. Furthermore, it explores the establishment of sacred spaces, ritual practices, and the conceptualization of a singular Creator, highlighting the cultural and religious continuity that spans all scriptures. These phenomena, originating in Mesopotamia around 7000 BCE, have persisted to the present, reflecting a dynamic and active continuity between ancient civilizations and contemporary cultural life.

The study of terracotta animal dolls in Mesopotamia is one of the important artistic topics that gave us valuable information from a technical point of view, especially the knowledge of animals in the ancient Iraqi environment, as well as being an important reliable guide in determining the period of time that they lived in Mesopotamia. Animal puppets are important artistic relics and a source for studying art and its development through different ages, and that animal puppets were evidence of the living of these animals in the regions of Mesopotamia

Since the Mesopotamian civilization, one of the oldest civilizations in history, soil has been used to construct buildings that still stand today. Soil is undoubtedly one of the most widely used building materials in the world. Man built the first houses made of soil. Clay and soil are still used as building materials. However, some soils have problems and need to be treated by adding other materials, such as cement. Soil samples were taken from northern Iraq, specifically the Daquq area, south of Kirkuk. The method of work includes conducting laboratory tests of the raw components of the soil before preparing the samples. Then, preparing the models to make compressed earth blocks under a pressure of 15 MPa with or without the addition of Morcemcolor cement as stabilizing material, which represents colored, water-repellent, and additive mortar with mixed binders, characterized by high fineness and plasticity. Then, geotechnical tests are conducted for (7, 14, 21, and 28) days to determine the extent of its effect on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS). The results show that the use of cement increases the UCS, resulting in very strong and safe brick blocks for construction, according to the safety and security conditions for building materials

This study examines 22 seals of Mesopotamian origin, which were acquired by the Erzurum Archaeology Museum and are currently held in its collection. The artifacts were photographed in the museum’s laboratory, impressions were made, and Xray fluorescence (XRF) analyses were performed. The seals were evaluated through stylistic analysis, referencing established academic publications. Seals are a vital component of Mesopotamian culture. While stamp seals were used from the Neolithic period onwards, the peoples of Mesopotamia adopted cylinder seals with the rise of the Sumerians, using them continuously until the Persian period. These artifacts often find their way into museum collections through both legal and illicit means. Consequently, thousands of Mesopotamian stamp and cylinder seals are preserved in major museums worldwide. Because southeastern Turkey is part of this cultural sphere, seals are regularly brought to museums in the region.

Researches about the ancient civilization of Iraq has a great importance because it carries a hight place in an ancient world, as for the first time writing, planting, religious beliefs, and the early democratic system has appeared in ancient Iraq…etc. many cultures appeared before the history which caused its development. Ancient Iraq as a country and a system has looked for cosmic phenomena because human lives were filled with risks and natural disasters. Humans lived for a long time, thus, during their lives they tried to know their origins and destiny. Their understanding was limited and their observations were focused on what was around them. They believed in the existence of strange creatures. These creatures caused illness, hunger, fear, and death. In fear of death and dangerous incidents, they sought refuge in the mercy of gods in order to earn their approval. In beliefs of ancient Iraq, the sky had a crucial importance, because it was the residence of powerful gods, the symbol of rise, a centre of many activities, and was directly connected to gods. Obeying decisions of gods of the sky caused the occurrence of blessings, while disobeying them caused the punishment because it was the source of many disasters, the cause of fear, death, and destructions. The myths of Sumerian and Akkadian were about many subjects, including the organization of the universe, the birth of the gods, the curse and love, the rivalry of the gods, their plans, their holiness, and their curses. They also addressed the life after death, stories, and heroic deeds. In the creation of Babylon, the story of Gilgamesh, and the story of the flood, the sky played an important role, particularly the god Anu because of its position in the minds and hearts of the people of ancient Iraq.

This study delves into the multifaceted influence of ancient Armenian rivers—specifically the Tigris, Euphrates, Aras (Araxes), and Kura (Cyrus)—on the historical development of Mesopotamian civilizations. These rivers played pivotal roles in the Near East as geographical and hydraulic features and cultural, economic, strategic, and ideological elements. Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach, the research integrates ancient textual sources, archaeological findings, and geomorphological studies to uncover the complex functions of these waterways. Key themes include the impact on agricultural productivity, establishing trade networks, urbanization processes, and the symbolic representation of rivers in mythology, royal propaganda, and military strategies. Civilizations such as the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians imbued these rivers with sacred and ideological significance, highlighting their central role in shaping cultural identities and political narratives. The Eastern Anatolian plateau's rugged terrains and volcanic landscapes influenced river flow regimes, presenting opportunities and challenges for ancient societies. These rivers served as vital conduits for trade and communication while acting as formidable logistical barriers during military campaigns. Assyrian and Urartian royal inscriptions illustrate how river crossings were framed ideologically, intertwining geography with divine sanction and sovereign power. Moreover, the study examines the sophisticated irrigation and canal systems that transformed these rivers within the Fertile Crescent into engines of agricultural prosperity and urban development. Accounts from authors like Herodotus, Xenophon, Strabo, and Pliny provide insights into the varying perceptions of these rivers across different periods and cultures. Ultimately, the research underscores the indispensable role of ancient Armenian rivers in the interaction between natural landscapes and human civilization, offering valuable perspectives on historical water management and sustainability practices in the Near East.

Despite the vast distance between the Shang Dynasty civilization and the ancient Mesopotamian civilization, they exhibit astonishing similarities and differences in divination and religious systems. By exploring the commonalities and distinctions in divination practices within these two ancient civilizations, we can better understand their development in the field of divination, and further reveal the interrelationships between divination systems, religious beliefs, and social structures under different civilizations.

It is universally acknowledged that civilizational dialogue fosters a form of social peace. Accordingly, this study addresses a conceptually agreed upon, yet often misrepresented or dismissed, cultural symbol—one that has been either attributed to a particular people or altogether erased from historical narratives. This prompted an investigation into its origins and its cultural and philosophical continuities. The symbol in question is the Swastika, also known as the hooked cross. It possesses layers of structural and symbolic significance, rooted in its emblematic and teleological essence, which inspired an inquiry into its sustained potency and cultural resonance. This formed the foundation of the first axis of the study, titled What is the Swastika?Subsequently, two artistic representations of the Swastika, as envisioned by ancient Iraqi artists, were identified. The second axis of the study focused on the Constructive Connotations of the Swastika, emphasizing its interconnectedness with the broader cultural fabric, wherein the signified often overshadowed the signifier. In contrast, the third axis, titled The Constructive Signifiers of the Swastika, explored the symbol’s capacity for expressive clarity, where the signifier dominated, rendering the forms distinctly articulated and beyond contestation. This duality culminated in a coherent vision of cultural unity and civilizational embrace, suggesting a path toward social harmony.The study’s conclusions reveal the role of both overt and covert semiotic continuity within ancient Mesopotamian civilization in unifying thought and fostering a collective societal vision. Although expressed in fragmented or distorted images, these interpretations of the Swastika may be reconsidered as a conscious effort to reforge ties between civilizations. Among the proposed recommendations is a further inquiry entitled A Study of the Rhetorical Connections of the Swastika Across Civilizations

Cannabidiol ameliorates seizures and neuronal damage in ferric chloride-induced posttraumatic epilepsy by targeting TRPV1 channel.

The discovery of samples of material culture associated with Mesopotamia in the South Caucasus raised great debate among scholarly community. Some group of scholar’s claim that traces of Mesopotamian cultures in the South Caucasus link to economic and cultural relationship, and whereas others see this spread of Mesopotamian cultures the result of migration. Newly discovered pottery from Bülövkaya provides new insight into the relationship between the South Caucasus and Northern Mesopotamia. Research shows that painted and simple ceramics from the Bülövkaya settlement can be considered a local variant of the Ubaid culture. The results of the study show that the Ubaid tribes moved north and settled in the territory of Nakhchivan in the first half of the 5th millennium. The movement of the Ubaid tribes to the north was associated with the rich deposits of raw materials of the South Caucasus, especially deposits of obsidian and copper, as well as abundant pastures.

Relevamientos recientes han evidenciado suelos con bajos niveles de potasio extractable (Kext) en zonas de la región pampeana argentina y de gran parte de la Mesopotamia. Entre 2019 y 2021, se plantearon redes experimentales con los objetivos de i) evaluar los niveles de Kext y las respuestas a la fertilización potásica en la región pampeana central (RPC) y Mesopotamia (MPT) y ii) determinar umbrales de respuesta a la fertilización con K a partir del análisis de Kext. Se llevaron a cabo 31 ensayos y 16 franjas exploratorias en maíz, soja, trigo y arroz en MPT (Entre Ríos y sur de Corrientes) y 29 ensayos en RPC (sur de Santa Fe, sudeste de Córdoba, centro, oeste y sudeste de Buenos Aires). Los niveles de Kext promediaron 225 mg kg-1 y 495 mg kg-1 en MPT y RPC, respectivamente. En MPT se observaron respuestas significativas a la fertilización potásica en 18 de los 48 sitios evaluados. Las respuestas fueron estadísticamente significativas en 50% de los sitios de maíz, 23% de los de soja, 43% de los de trigo y ninguno de los de arroz, con incrementos de rendimiento promedio de 35%, 28% y 28% en maíz, soja y trigo, respectivamente. En RPC se registraron respuestas significativas en 4 de 28 ensayos. La calibración del análisis de suelo de Kext indica un rango critico de 157-213 mg K kg-1 por debajo del cual la probabilidad de respuesta a la fertilización potásica es alta. Los análisis de planta, foliares o de grano, no permitieron diferenciar las situaciones sin y con deficiencia. Los resultados muestran que el K puede limitar el rendimiento de los cultivos y que el diagnóstico de fertilidad potásica basado en el análisis de suelo sería una metodología capaz de detectar condiciones de deficiencia o suficiencia de este nutriente.

Wearing a hijab for Muslim women is not just a habit, but an obligation that has a deep meaning in religion and daily life. This tradition is not just owned by Muslims, in ancient times this tradition has been attached as a civilization, so it is important to explore this matter further. This article aims to trace the dynamics of the hijab from a historical perspective. With a qualitative descriptive approach, the study found that the history of wearing the hijab is much older than Islam. The use of the hijab has existed in various cultures and civilizations in the world, even before Islam was born, precisely since the Sumerian civilization in Mesopotamia around 5,000 BC. The tradition of the hijab is also found in ancient Assyrian society. Wearing the hijab can be a symbol of honor and social status, especially for elite women or priestesses, a differentiator between free women and slaves, and part of a particular cultural tradition, as seen in various ancient civilizations. Thus, wearing the hijab is not only a practice related to Islam, but also a social phenomenon that has existed for a long time in the history of human civilization. This finding is important for the creation of a dignified society, amidst the fading awareness of wearing the hijab among Muslim teenagers. This research provides a direction for future research on the importance of the hijab for the honor of women more specifically.

E-learning has become widespread in the educational community, especially due to recent advances in information technology and communications and the integration of technology into our daily lives. Still, most major e-learning platforms are generalized and not tailored to a specific subject. In this paper, we address this issue by developing a prototype of a web-based e-learning platform specifically tailored for the study of ancient Iraqi civilizations. This will raise awareness about the major contributions of Iraq’s civilizations to the rest of the world, such as the invention of writing, urbanization, timekeeping, and farming techniques. The proposed platform leverages modern web technologies to provide an engaging and immersive learning experience to the students, and it offers a responsive design for cross-device displays. Key features for the teachers include managing civilizations and lessons, supporting multimedia files, managing a question bank, and a dynamic testing system for the students with real-time feedback for both students and teachers. This prototype represents a groundwork, as it is built with future scalability in mind, such as integrating artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality, to enrich the study of Iraq’s civilizations

Objective: This study aims to explore the symbolic and artistic significance of animal motifs depicted by ancient humans, focusing on their application to pottery and their lasting influence on subsequent artistic traditions. Method: A qualitative analysis was conducted by examining various animal motifs painted on ancient pottery vessels, complemented by a historical review of their cultural and functional contexts. The study analyzed the use of natural pigments and artistic techniques employed despite the limited tools available during the period. Results: The findings reveal that animal motifs served multiple purposes, including protection from perceived dangers, magical practices in hunting, and artistic expression. These motifs, characterized by their symbolic nature and precise execution, illustrate the aesthetic sensibilities of ancient Iraqi artists. Their enduring presence influenced artistic developments in later eras, indicating a continuity of symbolic representation in Mesopotamian art. Novelty: This research highlights the early integration of symbolic motifs in utilitarian objects, demonstrating how primitive artistic practices contributed to the evolution of cultural and artistic identities in ancient Iraq, an aspect often underrepresented in existing archaeological studies.

Ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamian civilization, ancient Egyptian civilization, and the Roman civilization recognized the phenomenon of the widespread use of amulets. It received great attention from the population, and due to the expansion of the Roman Empire over vast areas that included large parts of the inhabited world, and in light of the exploration of the phenomenon which is the subject of this research, interest in it increased, and new patterns of it were introduced, influenced by ancient civilizations. The phenomenon of the spread of amulets was considered a way of life that arose out of necessity, as humans believed that they possessed supernatural powers that could protect them from diseases, crises, and sudden problems. This phenomenon spread among different segments of society and was not limited to a specific group. Kings and their followers believed in it, as did individuals from other social classes, both women and men. This study shed light on the types of amulets, their forms, the purpose of their use, as well as the materials from which they were made.

As incubators of innovation, towns and cities have always played a key role in bringing about change and creating surprises. From the Renaissance and Industrial Revolution to the classical Greek and Roman civilizations, comparable occurrences took place in the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, the Nile, and the Indus Valley. Cities and towns serve as catalysts for the region's industrialization and modernization as well as for changes in people's lifestyles. In light of the most recent ideas in urban development, the paper supports the importance and necessity of using creative methods in the creation and execution of public policies pertaining to urban renewal. The provisions of each of the selected concepts are analysed in order to present the pertinent ideas for the innovation policy of revitalizing cities. It is concluded that there isn't a single city that has only adopted one of the most recent ideas for urban development. In actuality, we witness the multi-vectorality and amalgamation of urban strategies that eventually supplanted conventional sectoral perspectives. Transforming dilapidated neighborhoods into urban settings that support human life and activities in accordance with the requirements and preferences of their residents is the aim of innovative methods to urban rehabilitation strategy. Both the long-term synergistic impacts on the city as a whole and the impact on a particular degraded area should be taken into account when considering revitalization. It was discovered that human-oriented programs of sustainable area redevelopment lay the groundwork for creative urban revitalization initiatives. The programs are predicated on considering a range of ideas and integrating several activities, particularly: establishment of a small, multipurpose space.

This research paper aims to highlight the presence of both "religion" and "art" in shaping the general civilizational framework of Mesopotamia and to explore the nature of the relationship between them through the material legacy left to us by the Mesopotamian civilization in these two vast knowledge fields."Religion," in all its aspects and components, occupied a prominent place in the lives of the peoples of Mesopotamian civilization, as it provided solutions to many of the problems threatening the existence and security of the human beings in this civilization. Thinkers of this civilization turned to religion to ensure security in all its forms in various areas of life. These religious beliefs were physically manifested in artistic forms, making "religion" a fundamental reference in shaping artistic work.