"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد III. ١٩١٧" [‎٦‎٠] (٤٣٢/٦٩)

60
RIVER ROUTES
mentary masses of masonry. The E. wall (of gypsum blocks)
is still partially preserved, sloping steeply to the river. Large
portions of the northern walls are also still standing. Excava
tions have been carried on here in recent years by German
archaeologists, and as the result of their work the hill is
scored by deep trenches containing fragments of masonry.
The city of Asshur was the capital of the Assyrian
kingdom before the rise of Calah (Nimrud, see under
m. 159^) and Nineveh (opposite Mosul). Its position in
a cultivable plain close to the Jebel Hamrln, which com
manded the approach to Assyria along the Tigris from
Babylonia, made Asshur a convenient royal residence in the
earlier period of Assyrian history. With the expansion of
the Assyrian Empire to N., NW., and W. the place of
Asshur as the political capital of the country was taken by
Calah, but it continued to be a religious centre and a place
of some importance as late as the Parthian Empire (first
century b .c.-third century a.d.).
Above Qal'ah Sherghat to about m. 144 the Qarachok
Dagh is visible in the distance across the plain to the E.
To NNE. the high mountains of Kurdistan appear on the
horizon.
Wadi esh-Shababik (see under m. 131^), close to N. side
of Qal'at Sherghat hill: apparently reported (Feb. 1903) as a
nullah 20 ft. wide and 5 ft. deep containing a little rain-water.
Samarra—Mosul route follows general direction of river.
Rapid reported in this neighbourhood (1893).
Ford reported about here in August 1903 : not mentioned
1910.
Jebel Matak, a low line of hills running near river:
rocky bluffs, toppe'd with conglomerate, on the bank.
Samarra—Mosul route near hills, about 1 m. from river.
Some cultivation and spring pasturage in this neighbour
hood for about m.
Rocky bluffs end ; hills recede from r. bank.