This book is the result of an International Colloquium under the title of “Rural Assyria (1350–500 BC)” held on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the excavation of Tall Šeh Hamad, October 6–8, 2008, at the site itself to incorporate the genius loci. Most of the papers were presented at the Colloquium, i.e. A. Caubet / F. Poplin, G. Chambon / F.J. Kreppner, D. Charpin, J.-M. Durand, H. Kuhne, M. G. Masetti-Rouault, R. Reculeau, plus additional ones by F. M. Fales, H. Freydank, A. Fugert, F.J. Kreppner / H. Hornig, C. Muller-Kessler, M. Pucci, K. Radner, D. Shibata, and F. Tourtet are offered in this volume under the title of Dur-Katlimmu in Perspective 2008. They represent the state of research of the Assyrian central place of Dur-Katlimmu and the Habur region of Upper Mesopotamia during the second and fi rst Millennia BCE. At the same time, this volume initiates a new series Studia Chaburensia. It will be devoted to the study of provincial regions with an emphasis on the development, change, and collapse of settlements, environment, economy, administration, and every day life in rural areas. Chronologically unlimited, the series will focus on the Assyrian and contemporary civilisations of the second and first millennia BCE. Geographically it will encompass Upper Mesopotamia as well as neighbouring regions.