Although topographically simple, the landscape of the lower Mesopotamian plain masks a complex of sedimentary environments: old river channels, levees, flood basins, artificial channels, aeolian dunes, ancient irrigated soils and archaeological sites (both buried and at ground level). Many of these features owe their origin, either directly or indirectly, to the hand of man. In order to study early channel systems, the prime objective of the fieldwork, it was necessary to examine both the landscape and the sub-surface features beneath in order to produce a three-dimensional view of the area.

Fieldwork was conducted over some ten weeks in the springs of 1988 and 1989 as part of the Abu Salkabikh project, directed by J. N. Postgate. The immediate objective was to determine if an early branch of the Euphrates ran through the site, and if so, to attempt to trace its course. The presence of such an early course is implied in the name Buranuna (Akkadian Purattu from which the word for Euphrates is derived) and which is thought to have flowed through Sippar, Kish, Abu Salabikh, Nippur, Shuruppak, Uruk and Ur (Adams 1981, 159 and fig. 27; also Gibson 1972, fig. 69). It has been assumed that such a channel probably ran north-south between the Main and West Mounds of Abu Salabikh, and its presence must have determined or limited the growth and shape of the Uruk and Early Dynastic towns. A more general aim of the fieldwork was to determine how the settlement pattern may have evolved as a result of changes in the systems of channels or canals.