A shift in the emphasis of archaeological field-work has taken place during 1987 and 1988. With the completion of much of the rescue work which has played such an important part over recent years, energies have been largely re-channelled into research projects, many with long-term designs. Thus, the past two years have seen the initiation of new research work at Abu Duwari, Ashur, Dlihim, Harba, Jemdet Nasr, Kar Tukulti Ninurta, Kish, Nimrud, Nineveh, and Tell es-Sawwan, while work has continued at about a dozen other research sites. At the same time, rescue work has commenced within the North and East Jezira irrigation areas.

The most significant factor in this flourishing of research work in Iraq has been the unstinting co-operation of the Iraqi Office of Antiquities and Heritage, and it is to its Director-General, Dr. Mu‘ayyad Said Damerji, that our greatest debt of gratitude is due, not least for permission to publish these short reports. We thank also Dr. Munir Taha and Dr. Sabah Jasim of the Office's staff for their considerable assistance. As always, this survey would not have been feasible without the gracious co-operation of all the excavators involved. To them go our thanks and the hope that they will look forgivingly on any errors of fact or interpretation that may have been made herein.