The site lies in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains in the Hamrin region, east of the Diyala River and 12 km (7.5 mi) southeast of Sadiyah.

Another nearby Ubaid period site is Tell Rashid, which is located 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Tell Abada.

[2] The fact that Tell Abada was excavated almost in its entirety makes it an important site in the study of the Ubaid period.

As an example, in Building A Level I sixteen tokens were found in an "unpainted, carinated bowl of Hajji Muhammad type".

[2] The architectural remains of level III consisted of two houses with multiple rectangular rooms, with gypsum plastered walls.

These buildings have been interpreted as a pottery production location based on the presence of large storage jars, red ochre and three nearby kilns.

Painted pottery was common and often wheel-thrown, and decorations shared characteristics with those observed on both Northern and Southern Ubaid sites.