NUZU (genitive Nuzi). – A locality in modern-day Iraq (now Yorgan Tepe), about 13 km southwest of Kirkuk (ancient Arrapha), which was excavated from 1925 to 1931 by E. Chiera, E. A. Speiser, R. H. Pfeiffer, and R. F. S. Starr.
Twelve strata were found: strata XII–X A: pottery painted like Obed II and incised like Uruk, with pisé constructions; X B: unbaked brick constructions, a transitional layer; IX–VII: Early Dynastic stratum, wheel-made pottery; VI: stratum corresponding to the early rulers of Lagash (c. 2500 B.C.); V–III, lower part: tablets and seal impressions from the Akkad period (c. 2350–2150 B.C.); III, upper part: Gutian period (c. 2150) and Ur III period (c. 2050–1950); II B: time of Isin and Larsa (c. 1950–1850); II A: 1st Babylonian dynasty (c. 1830–1530); II–I: Hurrian period (from c. 1500 onward).
The city thus had three periods of flourishing: in the Early Dynastic period, in the middle of the 3rd millennium, when it bore the name of Gasur (VI–III), and in the Hurrian period. The first mention of N. occurs in a letter from Mari (c. the end of the 18th century B.C.).
Two large public buildings were excavated: a palace and a temple (with 7 strata, from bottom to top G–A). Temple G, the oldest, with a single cella, was already enlarged with two cellae in the following period (F). The palace is only partially excavated: a large central courtyard surrounded by reception halls, private chambers of the sovereign, offices, storerooms, etc.
The 4,000 cuneiform tablets (of which 3,000 from the main mound) form parts of large family archives. The language is Akkadian, but since it was handled by Hurrian scribes it is mixed with Hurrian vocabulary and contains Hurrian constructions (e.g., the passive in place of the active). A valuable synchronism is a letter from the Mitannian king Sausātar (c. mid-15th century) with his seal.
At N. the first clay map (from the 11th millennium B.C.) was also found, showing mountains, rivers (or canals), and cities. Despite the names affixed, the identification remains highly problematic. A very important contribution to the knowledge of Hurrian and also Indo-European roots and elements is provided by the proper names of N.