Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Senior Palestinian official to Al Mayadeen: The [Palestinian] factions agreed on points that stipulated obtaining American guarantees for a complete cessation of the war and the full entry of aid
Senior Palestinian official to Al Mayadeen: We agreed to release 10 captives in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners to be agreed upon through mediators
Iranian statement: Despite the approach of Western countries and their disrespect for Iran's nuclear rights, Iran has continued its comprehensive, constructive, and sincere cooperation with the IAEA
Iranian statement: Western countries have spared no effort in exploiting the IAEA as a tool for political pressure on Iran
Iranian statement: The decision reveals the lack of sincerity of the E3 countries and America in their claims regarding maintaining the neutrality of the International Atomic Energy Agency
Iranian statement: The failure of Western countries to garner the support of a large number of the organization's members for the resolution reflects the failure of their political and non-constructive approach to the issue
Iranian statement: The decision is a political move by Western countries that disregarded the results of the IAEA Director General's visit to Tehran
Iranian statement: Western countries repeatedly violate their commitments to the nuclear agreement and continue to impose sanctions on Iran
The Iranian Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran issue a joint statement in response to the IAEA report
Hamas: The response was delivered after holding a round of national consultations, and it stems from our responsibility toward our people and their suffering

Underground door unopened for 2,634 years found in Iraq's Ninawa

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 1 Nov 2022 12:16
3 Min Read

Excavations in Iraq discover hidden corridors containing sculpture reliefs dating back to the great siege of the Assyrian Empire.

  • x
  • A depiction of a military camp – (Michael Danti)
    A slab depicting Assyrian archers, while the conical pattern in the background indicates the hilly or mountainous environment they were located in (Michael Danti)

In April, archeologists made a breathtaking discovery excavating in the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh (Ninawa Governorate), currently located in northern Iraq, which was destroyed by ISIS in recent years.

A locked doorway that had never been found during any prior excavations or surveys of the location was cautiously opened for the first time in 2,634 years. Archeologists peered down a dusty corridor.

Amazing sculptures depicting military camps and warriors that detail the invasions of Mesopotamia by Assyrian king Sennacherib were found as a result of this discovery.

They continue to be breathtaking in their clarity and precision and as findings portrayed a shift in Neo-Assyrian relief sculptures. The Neo-Assyrian relief sculptures, contrary to the earlier stages of the Assyrian Empire, made use of every available square inch to represent the various tribes and ethnic groups that made up the Assyrian Empire, in addition to the ethnic group of Assyrians themselves.

According to Nat Geo, who cited Michael Danti, a professor of archeology at the University of Pennsylvania who is a member of the excavation team, the discovered sculptures are “better than the ones in the British Museum,” adding that "they really show the high-relief carving, the detail of Sennacherib’s sculptures which were revolutionary at the time.”

A few of the Assyrian reliefs of king Sennacherib from the Ninawa SBAH/Penn IHSP excavations at Nineveh Mashki Gate 2022 sponsored by the Penn Museum and ALIPH Foundation. @ALIPHFoundation @UPennNELC @IraqHSP pic.twitter.com/t14eZhhg5V

— Michael Danti (@DantiMdanti) October 21, 2022

Here, Danti referenced relief sculptures found during excavations in Ninawa back in the 19th century.

These treasures were uncovered while two organizations, the University of Pennsylvania's Iraq Heritage Stabilization Program and the Ninawa Antiquities and Heritage Inspectorate, started rebuilding the Mashki Gate, one of Ninawa's 18 gates, after ISIS had devastated it.

  • A depiction of a military camp (Michael Danti)
    A depiction of a military camp (Michael Danti)

The architectural layer they discovered beyond the fortified gateway was from the time the city was taken over by the Medes and Babylonians in the late Iron Age Neo-Assyrian Empire in the 600s BCE.

As restorers and archaeologists started their excavations, they discovered human remains dating back to this historical siege. Ironically, the panels that revealed the magnificent artworks had been turned upside down and utilized as construction materials. The panels, which measured around 5 by 6.5 feet, were resting against the gate's mud brick walls.

Ali Al-Jobouri, a member of the excavation team and a retired dean of the University of Mosul’s College of Archaeology, “It’s something none of us expected,” adding that “when you discover such things and you’re able to touch them with your hand, this is something very, very exciting.”

These reliefs, in contrast to a large number of previous discoveries from the Near East, will stay in Iraq.

Read more: 2,700-year-old Assyrian carvings found in Iraq park

  • Relief Sculptures
  • Iraq
  • Assyrian Empire
  • Assyrian Discoveries
  • Nineveh
  • Ninawa

Most Read

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Doctors weigh a Palestinian baby at the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic in Muwasi, near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, April 8, 2025 (AP)
Health

US-Israeli Gaza aid plan is catastrophic, inhumane: MSF

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Latakia governorate on May 30, 2025 (Social media)
Politics

Israeli airstrikes hit military targets across western Syria

An Iranian security official in protective clothing walks through part of the Uranium Conversion Facility just outside the Iranian city of Isfahan, March 30, 2005. (AP)
Politics

US, E3 to push IAEA to declare Iran in breach of nuclear commitments

A Syrian soldier closes the gate of a military base on the outskirts of Harasta, near Damascus, Syria, Saturday, May 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Syrians expel Israeli patrol in Quneitra amid rising tensions

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS