Latest news with #Abbasids
Shafaq News
05-05-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Lost Abbasid city unearthed in Basra
Shafaq News/ A large archaeological site dating back to the Abbasid era was discovered in Basra, Iraq's Antiquities and Heritage Authority announced on Monday. The location, spanning more than 1,000 dunams and including remains of residential quarters, palaces, and urban infrastructure, lies near the Imam Ali Footstep Mosque and offers "new insight" into the urban layout and development of Abbasid cities, Director of the Basra Inspectorate Mustafa al-Husseini told Shafaq News. 'This is one of the most significant finds in recent years reflecting the architectural and civic evolution under the Abbasids,' he added. Among the artifacts recovered were coins minted during the reign of Caliph al-Muti li-llah, who ruled until 363 AH (974 CE), along with others from later periods of Abbasid rule.
Shafaq News
03-05-2025
- Shafaq News
Visit Kurdistan: Al-Amadiya's stories carried by the clouds
Shafaq News/ Perched high atop a flat mountain in Duhok province, Al-Amadiya (Amedi) city stands as one of the Kurdistan Region's most breathtaking and historic destinations. Located about 90 kilometers northeast of Duhok, this ancient town offers travelers a rare blend of natural beauty, rich history, and cultural warmth. Where History Crowns the Mountains Al-Amadiya's roots stretch back over 4,000 years, having been home to Assyrians, Medes, Abbasids, and Ottomans. It holds deeper historical treasures with thirteen officially registered archaeological sites, each offering a window into a different chapter of Mesopotamian history. 'Duhok's heritage spans multiple eras,' said Kovan Ihsan, a researcher and antiquities expert at the Duhok Directorate of Antiquities, in an interview with Shafaq News. Among these layers is a reference to Al-Amadiya dating back to the 9th century BCE, when Assyrian King Adad-Nirari II called it Kur Amad — a testament to the city's ancient stature. Notable sites include Kura Sriji, which preserves ruins from various periods, and the Al-Amadiya Gate, carved with figures believed to be from the early Simitic and Persian periods. The Zebar Gate, etched into the rocky landscape, also adds to the town's architectural legacy. Islamic periods, according to Ihsan, left a rich imprint on Al-Amadiya, with landmarks such as the Qubahan religious school, a former center of learning, and the Great Mosque, built in traditional mountain style. Other significant sites include the tomb of Estella, the Al-Amadiya Citadel, and forts constructed under Sheikh Taha Al-Naqshbandi, which still evoke the city's defensive legacy. The Khazani Temple, a Jewish place of worship dating back to the Badinan Emirate (13th–19th centuries), further highlights Al-Amadiya's embrace of religious and cultural diversity. 'Perched at 912 meters above sea level, Al-Amadiya's strategic location on a massive rock formation encircled by deep valleys and rugged peaks grants it natural defense — qualities that have kept its stories alive for millennia,' underscored Ihsan. 'This location not only offers beauty but also serves as a natural defense.' Surrounded by dramatic cliffs and lush valleys, the city offers panoramic views that captivate photographers, hikers, and history enthusiasts alike. Visitors can explore the old marketplace and scenic trails that reveal the breathtaking landscape. Nearby attractions include the scenic village of Kani, the serene Sipa Waterfall, and the dramatic Gali Zanta valley. Adventure seekers may also enjoy seasonal paragliding events around the cliffs, offering a bird's-eye view of this remarkable landscape. Nearby Stays While Al-Amadiya itself does not have formal hotels inside the town, several comfortable lodging options are available nearby. Travelers can find motels, guesthouses, and tourist complexes along the road connecting Al-Amadiya to Duhok. Options include the Gelye Sherane Motel and the Jwan Tourist Complex, offering modest amenities within easy reach of the town. Visitors seeking higher-end accommodations often choose resorts in nearby Sarsink, known for its cooler climate and family-friendly facilities, or larger hotels in Duhok city. For a more traditional experience, small guesthouses around Al-Amadiya provide a cozy stay, where guests can enjoy Kurdish hospitality, homemade cuisine, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Best Time to Visit The ideal time to visit Al-Amadiya is from April to October. In spring, the town is surrounded by lush greenery and colorful blooms. Summer brings cooler mountain air compared to the lowlands, while autumn blankets the hills in golden hues. Winter offers a picturesque but chilly experience, occasionally dusted with snow. Your Road to the Mountaintop The Kurdish city is accessible by car from Duhok, with a drive of about 1.5 to 2 hours through winding mountain roads and scenic valleys. There are no direct public transport options; travelers are advised to use taxis or join guided tours. Cost and Facilities Entry into Al-Amadiya is free; visitors can roam historical sites without charge. Cafés and local eateries within the town serve traditional Kurdish meals and fresh sweets. Shopping opportunities include locally made crafts, honey, and embroidered garments. Government Support In April 2024, the Kurdistan Regional Government, led by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, launched a major infrastructure initiative in the Al-Amadiya district to boost local services and support future tourism growth. The projects, valued at more than six billion Iraqi dinars ($4,581,369.71), include constructing key roadways linking villages, expanding electricity networks, and developing facilities. A Journey Through Time Standing atop the cliffs of Al-Amadiya, visitors are transported into a living tapestry of history, culture, and nature. For those seeking to step beyond the ordinary and into the heart of Kurdistan's timeless spirit, the city awaits with open gates and endless stories.
Shafaq News
24-04-2025
- Science
- Shafaq News
Archaeological Armageddon: Climate change threatens Iraq's unexcavated history
Shafaq News/ The ruins of ancient cities lie cracked and crumbling under the scorching sun. Dust storms sweep across ziggurats older than the pyramids. In Iraq — the cradle of civilization — history is not just being forgotten; it's being erased. From the marshes of Sumer to the walls of Babylon (Babil), climate change is now the greatest threat to a heritage that once shaped the modern world. As heat intensifies and water disappears, the birthplace of writing, law, and astronomy faces a quiet, devastating extinction. A Race Against Time Iraq ranks among the top five countries most affected by climate extremes, according to the United Nations. Soaring temperatures, intensified sandstorms, prolonged droughts, and rising soil salinity are accelerating the destruction of the country's archaeological wealth. Ahmed Al-Elyawi, spokesperson for Iraq's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, told Shafaq News that 'Extreme weather now poses direct and serious risks to antiquities,' a threat significant enough to prompt both national and international conferences focused on preservation. 'Without urgent and coordinated action, the physical legacy of Mesopotamia may be lost to time — before it is fully uncovered or understood.' A Vast but Vulnerable Legacy Iraq's 15,000 known archaeological sites reflect an unmatched timeline of human history, from the Sumerians to the Abbasids. Yet fewer than 10% have been excavated due to decades of conflict, underfunding, and a lack of infrastructure. These ruins — ziggurats, palaces, temples, canals — are not just cultural symbols; they are scientific archives essential to understanding the origins of urban life. 'What lies beneath is just as valuable as what we see on the surface,' said Amer Abdul-Razzaq, a leading Iraqi archaeologist. 'And both are threatened.' Climate's Toll on Ancient Structures The impact of environmental extremes is tangible. Exposed mudbrick structures like Ur and Babylon, built from sun-dried bricks, are crumbling under intense heat and UV radiation. The Ministry of Culture's Climate Change Committee has documented damage caused by fluctuating humidity and rising salinity. 'Subsurface sites are threatened by increasing soil salinity, especially in the alluvial plains of southern Iraq, where more than 15,000 unexcavated sites remain,' said Muntasir Sabah Al-Hasnawi, the committee's head. Dust storms, which now sweep across Iraq nearly 300 days a year in some regions, are burying sites that had already been excavated. 'Strong winds form dunes that have buried several excavated sites, especially in desert regions where most ancient cities are located,' Abdul-Razzaq warned. Marshlands on the Brink Nowhere is the crisis more visible than in the southern marshlands — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016. These wetlands, once tied to the Sumerians, are drying due to climate change, upstream damming, and drought. 'Marshland areas like Al-Chibayish, Hawizeh, and Al-Hammar are suffering from severe drought and water shortages,' Abdul-Razzaq added, noting that the shrinking wetlands also threaten tourism and local livelihoods. Preservation Plans Face Major Gaps According to Al-Elyawi, Iraq's Ministry of Culture has organized field assessments, workshops, and joint initiatives with the environment and water ministries. 'We have put forward many recommendations in partnership with neighboring countries to confront the severe challenges to Iraq's archaeological heritage,' he said. However, experts say implementation has been slow. Al-Hasnawi emphasized that 'we need scientific strategies and significant financial resources to mitigate damage,' including green belts, improved drainage, and climate-adaptive coatings. But field teams still lack modern tools, and preservation budgets remain limited. 'We have the plans, but not the tools,' Al-Hasnawi admitted. A Global Responsibility Despite rising awareness, Iraqi experts are calling for broader support. Abdul-Razzaq criticized current preservation efforts as inadequate and urged greater funding from the federal government. 'Desertification is not just turning farmland into sand — it is swallowing our past,' he said. 'The loss is silent, but it is happening every day.' Specialists recommend a multi-pronged strategy: accelerate excavation and digital documentation using drones and 3D scanning; build physical protections around vulnerable structures; and, most crucially, integrate cultural preservation into Iraq's broader climate policy. Al-Hasnawi and Abdul-Razzaq both agree that without international funding and technical expertise, even the best local efforts will fall short.
