In Mesopotamia, the first great cities in human history emerged 3,500 years before Christ. The discovery of the remains of large palaces in the 19th century caused a stir: archaeologists found the origins of writing and traces of an urban revolution. However, the ruins of these huge cities remain largely unexplored to this day. This is because the heart of Mesopotamia lies in present-day Iraq, where military conflicts have been raging for more than 30 years, reaching their peak with the entry of the ISIS terrorist group into northern Iraq.
With the new beginning politically after the war, archaeological research returned to Iraq in 2019 after around 50 years, heralding a new era for Mesopotamian excavation sites. Teams from around the world have been working on important excavation sites in the country since 2019 to salvage what can be saved. Researchers are examining the remains of ancient civilizations using the most advanced scientific methods. What they have discovered so far exceeds all expectations.
Cities like Dur Sharrukin, Nineveh, Larsa, and Lagash were among the first Assyrian and Sumerian cities discovered in the 19th century. The statues, bas-reliefs, and cuneiform tablets unearthed there form the centerpiece of the impressive collections of the Louvre and the British Museum.
These sites bear witness to a great historical revolution in humanity, the rise of urban civilizations. The first settlements emerged around the 4th millennium BC, and the first metropolises developed in the 1st millennium. In the past, excavations focused on the rich palaces and temples, which accounted for only about five percent of the city’s area.
Today, research combines conventional excavation methods with geomagnetic measurements, satellite imagery, and geographic information systems, allowing for the examination and visualization of the structures of these early cities and the changes they underwent.
As the reconstruction of Iraq progresses slowly, thanks to the work of archaeologists, a new image of Mesopotamia is emerging, showcasing the country’s unexplored wealth, its heritage, and its historical significance to the world. Gradually, the Mesopotamian cities in the war-torn country are revealing their secrets and transience.