3,400-year-old city emerges from reservoir in Iraq

[Elisa]

Source: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/06/07/3-400-year-old-city-emerges-from-reservoir-in-iraq-after-months-of-extreme-drought

 

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Earlier this year, the remains of a 3,400-year-old city emerged from a reservoir in Iraq after months of extreme drought.

German and Kurdish archaeologists uncovered the ancient settlement from the Mittani Empire when water levels fell rapidly. It was once located on the banks of the Tigris River and is believed to have been the city of Zakhiku, an important centre for the Mittani Empire which lasted from around 1550 to 1350 BC.

Researchers were shocked to discover well-preserved walls made from sun-dried mud bricks. Some had been underwater for 40 years since the Mosul Dam was built and the reservoir created.

They attribute this surprising preservation to an earthquake that destroyed the city in 1350 BC when the upper parts of the walls collapsed, burying the buildings completely.

 

 

 

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The team also uncovered artefacts that paint a better picture of what life was once like living on the banks of the Tigris. They found five ceramic vessels containing over 100 cuneiform tablets, a system of writing used in the ancient Middle East.

"It is close to a miracle that cuneiform tablets made of unfired clay survived so many decades underwater," explains Peter Pfälzner from the University of Tübingen.

Researchers hope these ancient writings, which date to shortly after the earthquake struck the city, will provide important information about life in the region at the end of the Mittani Empire.

Now resubmerged below the waters of the reservoir, the important site is covered with tight-fitting sheets of plastic to protect the walls and any other important finds still hidden in the ruins from further damage.

 

[guy]

Wonderful find, indeed. One can only imagine how many ancient sites have been either covered or completely destroyed by modern development. 
 

This is one case, ironically, where climate change has helped to preserve or recover ancient archaeology.

(Thanks for attaching the photos. Let us know when you need more data storage to post pictures.)

Edited June 10, 2022 by guy

[Elisa]

On 6/10/2022 at 2:31 PM, guy said:

Wonderful find, indeed. One can only imagine how many ancient sites have been either covered or completely destroyed by modern development. 
 

This is one case, ironically, where climate change has helped to preserve or recover ancient archaeology.

(Thanks for attaching the photos. Let us know when you need more data storage to post pictures.)

You're most welcome, I linked them directly from the Euronews website this time, but I'm planning to upload more pics from different sites so will definitely let you know, thanks 😊

Talking about the find, I really wish I could read those cuneiform tablets! It must be wonderful for an archaeologist to come across something like that.

[Crispina]

Yes, thanks for sharing. I'm always fascinated by finds like this.