Drought Unveils Lost Civilization
A severe drought in Iraq has led to an extraordinary archaeological discovery. As water levels in the Mosul reservoir dropped, a 3,400-year-old city from the Mittani Empire surfaced from the Tigris River. This ancient urban center, believed to be the once-prosperous city of Zakhiku, has captivated archaeologists and historians worldwide.
Rapid Response: Excavating Against the Clock
Urgent Archaeological Efforts
Recognizing the fleeting nature of this opportunity, archaeologists from Germany and Kurdistan quickly mobilized. They secured funding from the Fritz Thyssen Foundation through the University of Freiburg and began urgent excavations to document the site before it would inevitably be submerged again.
Unveiling Ancient Wonders
The team’s tireless efforts revealed remarkable structures, including:
- A mᴀssive fortification with walls and towers
- A monumental multi-story storage building
- An industrial complex
- A palace, first identified in a brief 2018 campaign
Illuminating the Mittani Empire
Cuneiform Treasures
Among the most significant finds were five ceramic vessels containing over 100 cuneiform tablets from the Middle ᴀssyrian period. These artifacts offer invaluable insights into the Mittani Empire, which ruled northern Mesopotamia and Syria between 1550 and 1350 BC.
Preserving History for Future Generations
To protect the site from further damage, the excavated buildings were carefully covered with plastic sheeting and gravel fill, supported by a conservation project from the Gerda Henkel Foundation. This effort aims to safeguard the unbaked clay walls and potential buried artifacts from water damage.
Although the ancient city has once again been submerged, the discoveries made at this Mittani site have illuminated a fascinating chapter of human history, offering a glimpse into the rise and fall of an empire that once flourished along the Tigris River.
