Der (Sumer)
Archaeological Site Ancient Sumerian city in modern Wasit Governorate
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 (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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Der (Sumer) #
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.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).
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February
February is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with 48 mm of rain.
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March
March is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is hot with highs of 37°C and lows of 21°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is hot with highs of 42°C and lows of 25°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the hottest month with highs of 44°C and lows of 27°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is hot with highs of 44°C and lows of 26°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is hot with highs of 40°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 17°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).
