The discovery was announced by the Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage in Erbil on August 16, 2026. The excavation is being carried out by a specialised local team in cooperation with the General Directorate of Antiquities and the Department of Antiquities at Salahaddin University.
Officials described the project as the first excavation of this scale conducted exclusively using local resources and personnel with advanced equipment, highlighting the development of archaeological expertise in the Kurdistan Region.
The Hulagu-inscribed copper piece is among a much larger collection of archaeological material recovered from the site.
The Discovery at Haza
According to Nader Babakr, Director of Antiquities and Heritage in Erbil, the Haza site has produced a diverse collection of archaeological objects.
These include:
- Dozens of seals
- Coins
- Pottery vessels
- Decorative objects
- Material associated with the Parthian period
- Material associated with the Sassanian period
- A copper piece bearing the name "Hulagu"
The copper object is described as dating to the reign of Hulagu and is the most notable discovery from the excavation so far.
Officials also reported indications of a significant religious site in the area.
The precise nature, function and archaeological context of the copper piece have not yet been detailed in the supplied announcement. Further scientific investigation is therefore expected to be important for establishing its significance.
Who Was Hulagu?
Hulagu was the Mongol leader associated with the Mongol expansion into the Middle East.
The newly discovered object is particularly notable because it carries his name and is attributed to his reign.
However, the announcement supplied for this article does not provide additional information about the object's inscription, dimensions, weight, exact archaeological layer or specific date.
Those details will presumably form part of the comprehensive scientific results expected after fieldwork is completed.
A Site With a Much Longer History
The Hulagu-era object is only one component of the archaeological sequence at Haza.
The site has also produced material dating to the Parthian and Sassanian eras, demonstrating that the area preserves evidence from periods substantially earlier than the Mongol era.
The combination of seals, coins, pottery and decorative objects provides archaeologists with a potentially valuable dataset for reconstructing activity at the site across different historical periods.
The reported evidence for a significant religious site adds another dimension to the excavation.
Researchers will need to establish how the different phases of occupation relate to one another and whether the religious remains belong to one particular historical period or represent a longer tradition of activity.
Erbil's Ancient Archaeological Landscape
The excavation is also contributing to a broader reassessment of Erbil's archaeological landscape.
Nader Babakr stated that recent surveys have demonstrated that historical Erbil consisted of a network of smaller cities, hills and extended walls.
According to the Directorate, the broader historical area stretches from the Erbil plain towards the borders of Kirkuk.
The scale of the archaeological record is reflected in the number of registered sites reported by local authorities.
Officials cited approximately:
- 1,200 archaeological sites in Erbil
- 400 sites in Koya
- 200 sites in the Harir and Shaqlawa areas
These figures demonstrate the density of archaeological remains across the region and place the Haza excavation within a much wider programme of documenting and protecting Erbil's archaeological heritage.
Local Archaeology Takes Centre Stage
One of the notable aspects of the Haza project is the organisation of the excavation itself.
According to the Erbil Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage, the project represents the first excavation of this scale conducted exclusively through local resources and personnel using advanced equipment.
The work is being carried out in cooperation with the Department of Antiquities at Salahaddin University.
The project therefore has significance beyond the individual finds. It also demonstrates the growing role of local archaeological institutions and specialists in documenting the region's heritage.
Rescue excavations are particularly important when archaeological sites face potential disturbance or development, allowing researchers to document material that might otherwise be lost.
What's Next?
The excavation remains ongoing, and officials have indicated that the comprehensive scientific results will be published after fieldwork is completed.
Those results should provide a clearer understanding of the Haza site's chronology, architecture and archaeological significance.
Further study of the copper piece could also establish more about its inscription and context, while comparison with the site's other coins and objects may help researchers understand the relationship between different phases of activity.
The archaeological site is expected to be formally registered as an important national site following completion of the scientific work.
Conclusion
The discovery of a rare copper piece bearing the name Hulagu has added an important Mongol-period element to the archaeological record of the Haza site in the plain of Erbil.
The object was found alongside dozens of seals, coins, pottery and decorative material associated with earlier Parthian and Sassanian periods. Archaeologists have also identified indications of a significant religious site.
For now, many questions surrounding the Hulagu piece remain unanswered. Its precise function, archaeological context and detailed dating have not yet been provided in the excavation announcement.
The answers may emerge as the rescue excavation continues and the complete scientific results are published.
For Erbil's archaeologists, however, the discovery is already significant: it adds another chapter to a landscape that appears to have been shaped by centuries of settlement, religious activity and regional interaction.
FAQ
Where was the Hulagu copper piece discovered?
It was discovered at the Haza (215) archaeological site in the plain of Erbil, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Who was Hulagu?
Hulagu was a Mongol leader whose reign is associated with the Mongol expansion into the Middle East. The newly discovered copper piece bears his name and has been dated to his reign by the archaeological authorities.
What else was found at the Haza site?
The excavation has uncovered dozens of seals, coins, pottery vessels and decorative objects, including material dating to the Parthian and Sassanian eras.
Was a religious site discovered?
Archaeological indicators suggest the presence of a significant religious site, according to Erbil's Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage.
Who is conducting the excavation?
The excavation is being conducted by a specialised local team in cooperation with the General Directorate of Antiquities and the Department of Antiquities at Salahaddin University.
When will more information be available?
Officials said comprehensive scientific results will be published after the fieldwork is completed.
