Historic Assyrian discovery stuns archaeologists in Iraq
A massive stone relief depicting King Ashurbanipal, one of the most powerful rulers of the Assyrian Empire, has been uncovered by a Heidelberg University excavation team, according to Ancient Origins.
The find was made in the throne room of the North Palace, a once-grand structure that served as a royal seat during Ashurbanipal's reign in the 7th century BC.
The relief, carved from a single stone block measuring 5.5 meters long, 3 meters tall, and weighing approximately 12 tons, shows the king standing alongside two prominent deities and several attendants.
Excavation work in ancient Nineveh, now part of Mosul, Iraq. Photo credit: Heidelberg University
Since 2022, archaeologist Dr. Aaron Schmitt and his team have been exploring Kuyunjik, the site that includes the remnants of the North Palace. The discovery adds to the rich visual legacy of Assyrian art, which, like that of ancient Egypt, used elaborate wall carvings to depict scenes of kingship, divinity, and power.
Once the capital of the Assyrian Empire in the late 9th century BC, Nineveh was a major urban center in northern Mesopotamia, known for its impressive architecture and cultural significance.
Plans are now in motion to return the relief to its original setting, where it will eventually be made accessible to the public, in cooperation with Iraq's State Board of Antiquities and Heritage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
24-07-2025
- Shafaq News
+500 artifacts stalled: Al-Anbar Museum waits security clearance
Shafaq News – Al-Anbar The reopening of the al-Anbar Cultural Museum remains on hold as authorities await security clearance to transfer more than 500 archaeological artifacts from Baghdad, an official informed Shafaq News. Located in Ramadi, the museum—founded in 1981—was heavily damaged during earlier military operations. It has since undergone full restoration by the provincial government, including new display cases, surveillance systems, fire safety equipment, and environmental controls. Speaking to Shafaq News, Ammar Ali, Director of Antiquities in al-Anbar, confirmed that the Ministry of Culture approved the artifacts' return. 'They've been catalogued and prepared for transport. Everything on our side is complete—we are simply waiting for the green light,' he explained. Meanwhile, researchers and historians consider the museum's reopening essential to reviving the province's cultural identity. Omar al-Rawi, a historian specializing in Iraqi heritage, described al-Anbar as rich in archaeological heritage, spanning Assyrian, Babylonian, Abbasid, and Ottoman eras. He also warned that keeping the artifacts in Baghdad risks deterioration and detachment from their original context. 'Keeping these pieces outside the province limits public access—especially for the younger generation, which has never seen its own material history up close.' In Ramadi, civil activist Mohammed Fahd al-Eisawi described the museum's reopening as essential for restoring social cohesion, calling it 'not optional—but necessary.' He further envisioned it as a cultural and educational hub that could help build a counter-narrative to the province's recent wartime legacy.
Iraqi News
04-06-2025
- Iraqi News
China, India continue to be Iraq's largest oil importers
Baghdad ( – China and India continue to be major importers of Iraqi oil during May, according to customs data analysis from the two countries. China's imports of Iraqi oil grew by more than 22,000 barrels per day on an annual basis, to 1.11 million barrels per day, compared to 1.08 million barrels per day in the same month in 2024, Shafaq News reported. India's imports of Iraqi oil fell by 28,000 barrels per day, to 931,000 barrels per day, compared to 959,000 barrels per day in May 2024. Iraq primarily exports its oil shipments by sea, sending approximately 400,000 to 450,000 barrels per day to Jordan. This volume includes a stipulated rate of 15,000 barrels per day, as outlined in an agreement signed between the two countries. According to recent reports, the volume of crude oil that Iraq exported by sea declined to 3.27 million barrels per day in May 2025 compared to 3.30 million barrels per day in April 2025. Additionally, government sources indicated that Iraq's oil exports in May and June 2025 are expected to be less than 3.2 million barrels per day to meet its OPEC+ production quota, according to Attaqa News. During the first five months of 2025, Iraq's crude oil exports averaged approximately 3.33 million barrels per day, compared to 3.45 million barrels per day during the same period in 2024. Iraq's total seaborne exports of oil decreased to 3.66 million barrels per day during May 2025, compared to 3.87 million barrels per day in May 2024.
Iraqi News
03-06-2025
- Iraqi News
Iraq's oil exports decline by 32,000 barrels per day in May
Baghdad ( – The Washington-based Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that, on a monthly basis, Iraq's oil exports declined by 32,000 barrels per day in May. The volume of crude oil that Iraq exported by sea declined to 3.27 million barrels per day in May 2025 compared to 3.30 million barrels per day in April 2025. According to government sources, Iraq's oil exports in May and June 2025 are expected to be less than 3.2 million barrels per day to meet its OPEC+ production quota. During the first five months of 2025, Iraq's crude oil exports averaged approximately 3.33 million barrels per day, compared to 3.45 million barrels per day during the same period in 2024. Iraq's total seaborne exports of oil decreased to 3.66 million barrels per day during May 2025, compared to 3.87 million barrels per day in May 2024. Since April 2024, eight OPEC+ countries, including Iraq, have resumed their voluntary production cuts of 2.2 million barrels per day. The production limit was set to rise to 411,000 barrels per day in May, June, and July 2025. According to the most recent meeting of the eight OPEC+ countries, Iraq's crude oil production is expected to reach approximately 4.12 million barrels per day.
