An Unexpected Discovery
A severe drought in Iraq has led to an astonishing archaeological find. As the water levels of the Mosul reservoir receded, a 3,400-year-old city from the Mittani Empire emerged from the depths of the Tigris River. This ancient urban center, believed to be the once-thriving city of Zakhiku, has captured the attention of archaeologists and historians alike.
A Race Against Time
Urgent Excavations
With the city’s unexpected resurfacing, archaeologists from Germany and Kurdistan sprang into action, recognizing the urgency of documenting and excavating the site before it was inevitably submerged again. Within days, a team was assembled, and funding was secured from the Fritz Thyssen Foundation through the University of Freiburg.
Mapping the Ancient City
The team worked tirelessly, mapping a significant portion of the vast urban complex. Their efforts revealed remarkable structures, including a massive fortification with walls and towers, a monumental multi-story storage building, and an industrial complex. The highlight of their discoveries was a palace, initially identified in a brief 2018 campaign.
Insights into the Mittani Empire
The excavations have provided invaluable insights into the Mittani Empire, which ruled over a substantial part of northern Mesopotamia and Syria between 1550 and 1350 BC. Most notably, the team uncovered five ceramic receptacles containing over 100 cuneiform tablets from the Middle Assyrian period, shortly after a devastating earthquake struck the city.
Preserving the Past
To protect the site and its treasures from further damage, the excavated buildings were carefully covered with plastic sheeting and gravel fill, thanks to a conservation project supported by the Gerda Henkel Foundation. This effort aims to prevent water from damaging the unbaked clay walls and any other artifacts that may still lie buried beneath the ruins.
Despite the site being submerged once again, the discoveries made at this ancient Mittani city have shed light on a fascinating chapter of human history, offering a glimpse into the rise and fall of an empire that once thrived along the banks of the Tigris River.
