An archaeomagnetic study of the Ishtar Gate, Babylon

Area of Science:

• Geophysics
• Archaeology
• Paleomagnetism

Background:

• Archaeomagnetism combines paleomagnetism and archaeology to model Earth's ancient geomagnetic field.
• Fired materials like pottery and bricks are crucial for archaeomagnetic dating.
• Inscriptions on artifacts provide precise chronological control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze fired mud bricks from Babylon's Ishtar Gate for archaeomagnetic data.
• To establish a regional archaeomagnetic dating reference for Southern Mesopotamia.
• To refine the understanding of paleosecular variation in the ancient Near East.

Main Methods:

• Paleointensity experiments were conducted on fired mud bricks from the Ishtar Gate.
• Inscribed bricks, including those of King Nebuchadnezzar II, were analyzed.
• Data were compared with the Levantine Archaeomagnetic Curve for dating.

Main Results:

• Reliable geomagnetic intensity data were extracted from all three construction phases of the Ishtar Gate.
• The study provides high-quality archaeomagnetic data from Southern Mesopotamia, a previously underexplored region.
• The Ishtar Gate construction is dated to approximately 569 BCE, aligning with historical records.

Conclusions:

• Inscribed mud bricks are valuable archives for archaeomagnetic studies.
• The findings contribute to a more robust archaeomagnetic dating reference for Southern Mesopotamia.
• The study supports a continuous construction timeline for the Ishtar Gate complex after 562 BCE.