A group of the so-called Tell es-Sawwan figurines at the Iraq Museum in Baghdad. From Tell es-Sawwan, Iraq. 6000-5800 BCE.jpg

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

Tell es-Sawwan

Archaeological Site

A Neolithic mound near the Tigris in Saladin Governorate, Tell es-Sawwan reveals early irrigation, mud-brick houses and grave offerings; archaeologists and history tourists study its prehistoric evidence.

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In this guide

Tell es-Sawwan essentials

Country: Iraq
Driest months: Jun-Aug
Pay in: Dinar (ع.د)
Language: Arabic, Kurdish

Tell es-Sawwan at a Glance

About Tell es-Sawwan

Tell es-Sawwan is a Neolithic archaeological tell in Saladin Governorate, Iraq, notable for early farming communities and mudbrick domestic architecture.

Excavations revealed houses, storage features and pottery associated with early sixth-millennium BCE settlement patterns, making the site important for understanding prehistoric village life in central Mesopotamia.

Research at the site has helped define aspects of the Samarra-related Neolithic cultures and early irrigation and storage practices.

The tell lies near the middle Tigris region north of modern Baghdad, close to the area of Samarra in Saladin Governorate.

  • Archaeological importance: Occupied in the Neolithic period and significant for evidence of early mudbrick architecture and settled farming in Mesopotamia.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Tell es-Sawwan

Visiting depends on local access and permissions; archaeological seasonality affects when excavations occur.

Weather & Climate near Tell es-Sawwan

Climate

Tell es-Sawwan'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 95 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
MayOctoberApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
50°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 5° - 16° 11° 22 mm some cloud 64% 2.5 m/s 0.4 low 10.0h
February Very Good 7° - 19° 13° 26 mm some cloud 59% 2.7 m/s 0.7 moderate 10.8h
March Ideal 11° - 24° 17° 26 mm some cloud 49% 3.2 m/s 1.1 high 11.8h
April Ideal 16° - 30° 23° 16 mm some cloud 41% 3.1 m/s 1.5 very high 12.9h
May Ideal 21° - 36° 28° 11 mm mostly sunny 31% 3.1 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.8h
June Ideal 25° - 41° 33° 0 mm clear 22% 3.5 m/s 2.5 extreme 14.3h
July Ideal 27° - 44° 35° 0 mm clear 22% 3.3 m/s 2.4 extreme 14.1h
August Ideal 26° - 43° 35° 0 mm clear 22% 3.1 m/s 2.1 extreme 13.3h
September Ideal 23° - 40° 31° 0 mm clear 25% 2.7 m/s 1.6 very high 12.3h
October Ideal 18° - 34° 26° 6 mm mostly sunny 33% 2.2 m/s 1.0 high 11.2h
November Ideal 11° - 25° 18° 19 mm mostly sunny 51% 2.1 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.2h
December Very Good 8° - 19° 13° 33 mm partly cloudy 62% 2.3 m/s 0.4 low 9.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Tell es-Sawwan

Tell es-Sawwan is located in Saladin Governorate; travel requires coordination with local authorities and respect for security advisories. Access is typically arranged through academic or official channels.