When Children Find History: The Story Behind Sulaymaniyah's Bestansur Ancient Coins

Peregraf - The arrest of several teenagers and their parents in the village of Bestansur, east of Sulaymaniyah, has revealed an unexpected archaeological discovery that has since sparked wide public debate. What began as a routine outing to collect wild mushrooms ended with the uncovering of dozens of ancient silver coins—an incident that has raised legal, historical, and social questions about how such finds are handled in the Kurdistan Region.

From Mushroom Hunt to Ancient Coins

According to information obtained by Peregraf, the incident began in mid-month when five boys, all around 10 years old, went to the plains surrounding Bestansur to forage for mushrooms after recent rainfall. Instead of mushrooms, the children discovered a pit where rainwater had exposed a number of metallic objects buried in the soil.

“They didn’t know what they were,” the brother of one of the boys told Peregraf. “My brother and four of his friends found those silver coins there. At first, they were just playing with them, flipping them like heads or tails.”

The children gathered the coins and divided them among themselves before returning home. It was only later, when the coins were seen by family members, that suspicions arose that the objects might be ancient archaeological artifacts rather than ordinary metal pieces. 

Security Intervention and Arrests

A few days after the discovery, security agencies were notified. What followed was a swift and strict response that shocked the small rural community. At midnight, Asayish forces from Arbat District summoned the fathers of the five boys and detained them for investigation. They were held for approximately a week, while the children themselves were questioned several times. The village headman (mukhtar) was also detained for several days.

All those detained were eventually released on bail, but the heavy security presence and the arrests created an atmosphere of fear in Bestansur. During Peregraf’s field investigation, many residents and family members declined to speak openly, citing concerns over legal consequences and ongoing investigations.

Conflicting Claims Over the Coins

Initial reports circulating on social media and some local outlets claimed that “600 gold coins of immense material and historical value” had been discovered. However, families and residents of Bestansur strongly deny these claims.

“The coins were silver, not gold,” several villagers told Peregraf. “And the number was far less than what was reported.”

Information obtained by Peregraf from security sources confirms that 194 silver coins were seized from the homes of the children. The coins are currently held by the Sulaymaniyah Asayish Directorate pending the outcome of the legal case.

Despite attempts by Peregraf to obtain photographs or video footage of the seized coins, most families refused to comment further, while others declined to share visual material due to the sensitivity of the case.

Legal Implications 

Under existing laws in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, searching for, possessing, or trading in antiquities without official authorization is strictly prohibited. Anyone who discovers an archaeological artifact is legally required to immediately inform the relevant authorities.

Security sources told Peregraf that suspicions arose due to allegations that not all coins were handed over promptly and that the number of coins found may initially have been higher. These allegations, combined with the delay in reporting the discovery, led to the interrogation of the families.

The case has now been formally referred to the courts, which will determine whether any legal violations occurred and what penalties, if any, will be imposed.

Arabic Inscriptions and Historical Clues

Although no official images have been released, several sources with knowledge of the seized items told Peregraf that the coins bear Arabic inscriptions. 

“The writing looked like Quranic verses or something similar,” one source said.

This detail has fueled speculation among historians and archaeologists regarding the era to which the coins may belong. Without physical examination, experts caution that any conclusions remain preliminary. However, based on the material (silver) and the presence of Arabic script, specialists suggest several possible historical periods:

• Umayyad silver dirhams (661–750 AD)

• Abbasid dirhams (750–1258 AD)

• Ottoman-era coins (1299–1923 AD)

If confirmed, this would place the coins somewhere between 200 and 1,300 years old, underscoring their potential historical significance rather than merely their material value.

Bestansur: A Site of Global Importance 

The discovery has drawn renewed attention to Bestansur’s archaeological importance. A source at the Sulaymaniyah Directorate of Antiquities told Peregraf that the investigation file is still incomplete and that the coins have not yet been officially handed over to the directorate.

“Until we receive the artifacts, we cannot provide definitive information,” the source said.

Bestansur is internationally recognized as one of the world’s oldest known human settlements. Joint research conducted with German archaeologists has shown that humans lived in the area approximately 11,000 years ago, making it even older than the well-known Neolithic site of Jarmo.

An archaeologist familiar with the region explained to Peregraf: “Bestansur was not only one of the earliest inhabited areas, but it remained significant across different historical periods. Many ruling eras passed through this area, leaving behind important relics.”

A Pattern of Similar Incidents

This is not the first time ancient coins have been discovered in the Sulaymaniyah area. On December 17, 2020, the Sharazor Asayish Directorate announced the seizure of 666 ancient silver coins in the village of Zarayan. At the time, Asayish stated that the coins had been found inside a clay jar and that individuals were attempting to sell them illegally.

That case, like the one in Bestansur, highlighted the ongoing tension between accidental discoveries by civilians and the strict legal framework governing antiquities.

As the court case proceeds and experts await access to the coins, one thing remains clear: beneath the soil of Bestansur lies not only ancient history, but also complex challenges about how that history is discovered, protected, and understood today.