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Der (Sumer)

Archaeological Site

The site of ancient Der in Wasit Governorate represents a Sumerian-era settlement; it draws archaeologists and students interested in excavation reports and Mesopotamian settlement patterns.

Der (Sumer) NajafHillahBasraKufaImam Ali ShrineBabylonBasrah MuseumBorsippaDer (Sumer)

Der (Sumer) essentials

Address: Der (ancient city), Wasit Governorate (location of ancient Der), Iraq
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About Der (Sumer)

Der (often written Dēr) is an ancient Mesopotamian city attested in Sumerian and Akkadian sources and located in what is now eastern Iraq. It was one of the towns of the ancient Mesopotamian plain and is known from cuneiform texts dating to the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE.

Archaeologically the site survives as a tell with ruins and stratified remains typical of Mesopotamian urban settlements. It appears in texts as a politically active centre that was involved in regional affairs during the Old Babylonian and later periods.

Historically Der functioned as a city-state within the shifting political landscape of ancient Mesopotamia and later came under the control of successive empires in the region. Its presence in royal inscriptions and administrative documents provides most of what is known about its ancient role.

The tell lies in present-day Wasit Governorate in eastern Iraq, on the alluvial plain that once carried the major rivers of southern Mesopotamia.

When to Go

Best Time to Visit Der (Sumer)

Best visited in the cooler months (autumn, spring or winter; roughly October-May) to avoid the extreme summer heat and make outdoor exploration more comfortable.

Spring / Autumn (best times)
March-May, October-November · 15-30°C
Milder temperatures and more comfortable conditions for visiting archaeological sites than in summer.
Summer
June-August · 35-45°C
Very hot and often harsh-avoid intensive outdoor exploration during peak daytime heat.
Winter
December-February · 5-15°C
Cooler and generally the most comfortable winter months for sightseeing, though nights can be chilly.

Weather & Climate near Der (Sumer)

Climate

Der (Sumer)'s climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 44°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 116 Unhealthy (Sg)
Best Time to Visit
OctoberJuneJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
52°
Warmest Month
-4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 5° - 16° 11° 43 mm some cloud 58% 2.7 m/s 0.5 low 10.1h
February Very Good 7° - 19° 13° 48 mm some cloud 54% 3.0 m/s 0.7 moderate 10.9h
March Ideal 10° - 24° 17° 40 mm mostly sunny 46% 3.2 m/s 1.2 high 11.9h
April Ideal 15° - 30° 22° 22 mm some cloud 41% 3.4 m/s 1.5 very high 12.9h
May Excellent 21° - 37° 29° 6 mm mostly sunny 29% 3.2 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.8h
June Ideal 25° - 42° 34° 0 mm clear 17% 3.8 m/s 2.5 extreme 14.2h
July Ideal 27° - 44° 36° 0 mm clear 15% 4.3 m/s 2.4 extreme 14.0h
August Ideal 26° - 44° 35° 0 mm clear 14% 3.8 m/s 2.2 extreme 13.2h
September Ideal 22° - 40° 31° 0 mm clear 16% 3.0 m/s 1.7 very high 12.3h
October Ideal 17° - 34° 25° 2 mm mostly sunny 25% 2.4 m/s 1.1 high 11.2h
November Excellent 11° - 25° 18° 30 mm mostly sunny 44% 2.2 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.3h
December Very Good 7° - 18° 12° 43 mm some cloud 55% 1.9 m/s 0.4 low 9.8h