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Journals / History Studies / 2026 / Cilt: 18 Sayı: 3

A Neo-Assyrian Province in the Central Zagros Mountains: Harhar

Orta Zagroslarda Bir Yeni Asur Eyaleti: Harhar

Pınar Pınarcik(DÜZCE ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-6757-1719
Pages
793–819
Publication Date
2026-10-14
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Finally, the probable location of Harhar will be discussed in light of previous findings and interpretations.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The Neo-Assyrian state conducted various military and administrative activities in the territory of present-day Iran between the ninth and seventh centuries BCE as part of its eastern policy.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The rock reliefs and stelae discovered in the Central Zagros region—where this study is focused—corroborate these written records.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Finally, the probable location of Harhar will be discussed in light of previous findings and interpretations.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Yeni Asur İmparatorluğu · İran · Harhar

Abstract

The Neo-Assyrian state conducted various military and administrative activities in the territory of present-day Iran between the ninth and seventh centuries BCE as part of its eastern policy. The Assyrian presence in western Iran, which was based on these activities, is a well-documented phenomenon thanks to Neo-Assyrian records. The rock reliefs and stelae discovered in the Central Zagros region—where this study is focused—corroborate these written records. Nevertheless, the lack of archaeological researches in the region, particularly systematic excavations, makes it extremely difficult to locate the toponyms mentioned in the textual sources. This study focuses on Harhar (Kar-Šarrukin), one of the four provinces established in western Iran during the reigns of Tiglath-pileser III and Sargon II and governed by centrally appointed officials. In this context, the information concerning Harhar in the Neo-Assyrian records will be presented. On the basis of these data, the views of earlier researchers regarding the location of Harhar, as well as new evidence obtained from recent archaeological investigations and the new proposals developed on the basis of these evidences, will be examined. Finally, the probable location of Harhar will be discussed in light of previous findings and interpretations.

Özet

Yeni Asur devleti, MÖ 9-7 yüzyıllar arasında, izlediği doğu politikası çerçevesinde günümüz İran topraklarına yönelik çeşitli askeri ve idari faaliyetlerde bulunmuştur. Söz konusu faaliyetlere dayalı olan Batı İran’daki Asur varlığı, Yeni Asur kayıtları sayesinde iyi bilinen bir olgudur. Araştırmamızın yoğunlaştığı bölge olan Orta Zagroslarda keşfedilen kaya kabartmaları ve steller bu yazılı verileri desteklemektedir. Yine de bölgedeki Asur varlığına dair arkeolojik araştırmaların (özellikle arkeolojik kazıların) eksikliği, kayıtlarda geçen toponimlerin konumlandırmasını çok zorlaştırmaktadır. Araştırmamız, III. Tiglatpileser ve II. Sargon dönemlerinde Batı İran’da kurulan ve merkeze bağlı valilerce yönetilen dört eyaletten biri olan Harhar (Kar-Šarrukin) ile ilgilidir. Bu bağlamda, Yeni Asur kayıtlarındaki Harhar ile ilgili bilgiler aktarılacaktır. Bu bilgiler ışığında, geçmişte alan üzerine çalışan araştırmacıların Harhar’ın konumuna dair görüşleri ve son zamanlarda yapılan arkeolojik araştırmalar çerçevesinde elde edilen yeni bulgular ve bunlara dayalı olarak geliştirilen yeni öneriler incelenecektir. Son olarak Harhar’ın muhtemel konumu, önceki bulgular ve görüşler ışığında tartışılacaktır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Pınarcik, P. (2026). A Neo-Assyrian Province in the Central Zagros Mountains: Harhar. History Studies, Cilt: 18 Sayı: 3, 793–819. https://doi.org/10.9737/historystudies.1858441

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