Editing Akkadian Empire (section)

==Archaeology==
Identifying architectural remains is hindered by the fact that there are sometimes no clear distinctions between features thought to stem from the preceding [[Early Dynastic Period (Mesopotamia)|Early Dynastic period]], and those thought to be Akkadian. Likewise, material that is thought to be Akkadian continues to be in use into the [[Third Dynasty of Ur|Ur III period]].<ref>[https://isac.uchicago.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/shared/docs/oip129.pdf] Augusta McMahon, "Nippur V. The Early Dynastic to Akkadian Transition: The Area WF Sounding at Nippur", Oriental Institute Publications 129, Chicago: The Oriental Institute, 2006 {{ISBN|1-885923-38-4}}</ref> There is a similar issue with cuneiform tablets. In the early Akkadian Empire tablets and the signs on them are much like those from earlier periods, before developing into the much different Classical Sargonic style.<ref name="Foster" >Foster, Benjamin R., "Archives and Record-keeping in Sargonic Mesopotamia", ZAVA, vol. 72, no. 1, pp. 1–27, 1982</ref>

With the capital, Akkad, still unlocated, archaeological remains of the empire are still to be found, mainly at the cities where they established regional governors. An example is [[Adab (city)|Adab]] where Naram-Sin established direct imperial control after Adab joined the "great revolt".<ref>[https://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/234857/1/2019-Palace_Adab_Sargonic_period.pdf] M. Molina, "The palace of Adab during the Sargonic period", D. Wicke (ed.), Der Palast im antiken und islamischen Orient, Colloquien der Deutschen Orient-Gesellschaft 9, Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, pp. 151–20, 2019</ref> After destroying the city of [[Mari, Syria|Mari]] the Akkadian Empire rebuilt it as an administrative center with an imperial governor.<ref>Margueron, Jean-Claude, "The Kingdom of Mari", In Crawford, Harriet (ed.). The Sumerian World. Translated by Crawford, Harriet. Routledge, 2013 {{ISBN|978-1-136-21912-2}}</ref> The city of [[Nuzi]] was established by the Akkadians and a number of economic and administrative texts were found there.<ref>Freedman, Nadezhda, "The Nuzi Ebla", The Biblical Archaeologist, 40 (1), pp. 32–33, 1977</ref> Similarly, there are [[Marad]], [[Nippur]], [[Tutub]] and [[Ebla]].<ref>Archi, Alfonso, "Ebla and Its Archives: Texts, History, and Society", Walter de Gruyter, 2015 {{ISBN|978-1-61451-788-7}}</ref><ref>Gibson, McGuire, "A Re-Evaluation of the Akkad Period in the Diyala Region on the Basis of Recent Excavations at Nippur and in the Hamrin", American Journal of Archaeology, vol. 86, no. 4, pp. 531–38, 1982</ref>

Excavation at the modern site of [[Tell Brak]] has suggested that the Akkadians rebuilt a city ("Brak" or "Nagar") on this site, for use as an administrative center. The city included two large buildings including a complex with temple, offices, courtyard, and large ovens.<ref>J. Oates (2004), pp. [https://books.google.com/books?id=EnQ8W6AmCq0C&pg=PA5 5]–8. "Following the destruction of the city sometime in the twenty-third century BC, Nagar was rebuilt by officials of the Akkadian Dynasty as a major centre of their provincial administration, a fact clearly attested in the cuneiform documents from this site."</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|jstor = 4200303|title = Akkadian Buildings at Tell Brak|journal = Iraq|volume = 51|pages = 193–211|last1 = Oates|first1 = David|last2 = Oates|first2 = Joan|year = 1989|doi = 10.2307/4200303| s2cid=162449952 }}</ref>