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Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Jarmo

Archaeological Site

An early Neolithic tell site in Iraqi Kurdistan near Sulaymaniyah, Jarmo became notable to archaeologists for evidence of early settled farming communities and ancient stone architecture.

Jarmo ErbilSulaymaniyahDuhokSoranCitadel of ErbilSulaymaniyah MuseumAmna SurakaLalishJarmo

Jarmo essentials

Address: Jarmo archaeological site, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Iraq
Admission: No public admission fee recorded; archaeological access may require permissions for research visits
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About Jarmo

Jarmo is an early Neolithic archaeological site located in the Zagros foothills of what is now northeastern Iraq. It is important for the study of the transition from hunter-gatherer groups to settled farming communities in the region.

Archaeological work at Jarmo uncovered remains of houses, pottery and evidence for cultivated plants and domesticated animals, indicating early village life. The site provided influential early data on Neolithic lifeways in the Near East.

Excavations were undertaken in the mid-20th century by teams led by Robert J. Braidwood and collaborators, who published findings that shaped understanding of early agriculture in the region. Radiocarbon and typological studies place the site in the early Neolithic period, roughly around the seventh millennium BCE.

The site lies in the foothills at the edge of the Zagros Mountains within the Sulaymaniyah Governorate area, set above surrounding plains that would have provided access to diverse ecological zones used by early inhabitants.

  • Archaeological significance: Excavations in the mid-20th century revealed early evidence of settled village life, architecture and early cultivation in the Zagros foothills.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Jarmo

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for travel and field visits.

Spring
March-May · 10-25°C (50-77°F)
Pleasant temperatures suitable for archaeological fieldwork and travel.
Autumn
September-November · 15-28°C (59-82°F)
Good travel conditions and fewer rains.

Weather & Climate near Jarmo

Climate

Jarmo's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 42°C. Moderate rainfall (600 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 93 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JuneSeptemberOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
47°
Warmest Month
-7°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Acceptable 2° - 11° 5° 120 mm some cloud 66% 2.2 m/s 0.4 low 9.9h
February Acceptable 3° - 13° 7° 121 mm some cloud 65% 2.7 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.8h
March Good 7° - 18° 13° 111 mm some cloud 58% 2.9 m/s 1.0 high 11.8h
April Excellent 11° - 24° 17° 69 mm partly cloudy 52% 2.8 m/s 1.5 high 13.0h
May Excellent 17° - 32° 24° 30 mm some cloud 39% 2.7 m/s 2.0 very high 13.9h
June Ideal 22° - 38° 30° 0 mm clear 21% 2.9 m/s 2.5 extreme 14.4h
July Ideal 26° - 42° 34° 0 mm clear 17% 2.9 m/s 2.4 extreme 14.1h
August Ideal 25° - 41° 33° 0 mm clear 17% 2.8 m/s 2.1 extreme 13.3h
September Ideal 21° - 37° 29° 0 mm clear 20% 2.3 m/s 1.6 very high 12.3h
October Ideal 15° - 30° 23° 4 mm mostly sunny 32% 2.1 m/s 1.0 moderate 11.2h
November Very Good 8° - 21° 15° 53 mm mostly sunny 52% 1.9 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.2h
December Good 4° - 14° 8° 92 mm some cloud 63% 1.8 m/s 0.3 low 9.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Jarmo

Jarmo is in Sulaymaniyah Governorate. Travel requires coordination with local authorities and often a guide; access may be limited depending on security and conservation status. The nearest major city is Sulaymaniyah.

Tips for Visiting Jarmo

  • Respect ongoing archaeological sites and do not walk on marked excavations.
  • Coordinate with local museum or university authorities if planning a research visit; the site is of high scholarly interest.