Mesopotamia

• Type: Historical Region
• Location: Western Asia (the land within the Tigris–Euphrates river system)
• Owner/Residents: Ancient Wizards and Witches
• Key Features: Known as the birthplace of the ancient Wizarding sport Creaothceann.

Mesopotamia is an ancient historical region of Western Asia, corresponding to modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of Syria, Turkey, and Iran. In the Wizarding World, its significance lies in being the cradle of one of the earliest known and most dangerous Broomstick sports. According to the “History of the Quidditch World Cup,” Mesopotamia is the birthplace of the violent game of Creaothceann (Pottermore). In this sport, players would strap iron Cauldrons to their heads and fly around on Broomsticks, attempting to catch large, charmed rocks and boulders that fell from the sky. The game was notoriously brutal and often fatal to its participants. While originating in Mesopotamia, the sport later gained popularity among Wizards in Scotland before being outlawed in 1762.

Mesopotamia does not feature directly in the events of the *Harry Potter* series. Its role is purely historical, serving to expand the lore of the Wizarding World and provide context for the evolution of Quidditch. The region's connection to Creaothceann illustrates the ancient, global, and often perilous history of Wizarding sports that predated the more structured and refined game of Quidditch. This piece of history emphasizes that the desire for magical recreation on Broomsticks is an ancient one, shared by magical communities across the globe.

There are no specific magical locations, such as wizarding villages or schools, known to have existed within ancient Mesopotamia.

The information linking Mesopotamia to the origins of Creaothceann was revealed by J.K. Rowling in her writings for the Pottermore website, specifically in the “History of the Quidditch World Cup” collection (Pottermore). In the supplementary book Quidditch Through the Ages, Creaothceann is mentioned as a sport popular in Scotland, but its Mesopotamian origins were not specified until the later Pottermore entry. J.K. Rowling's choice of Mesopotamia, often referred to by historians as the “Cradle of Civilization,” as the origin point for an ancient magical sport adds a layer of deep historical credibility to the lore of the Wizarding World.