Archaeologists have uncovered two remarkably well-preserved shrines, among other notable finds, at an ancient temple that was devastated by a fire around 2,600 years ago.
The discoveries came to light during excavations in the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud, located in what is now northern Iraq.
Among the most significant features of the archaeological site is the Ninurta Temple—with its ziggurat (stepped tower)—dedicated to the eponymous Assyrian god of war and agriculture. The temple is thought to have been razed by fire around 614-612 B.C., which helped to preserve the structure and artifacts within.
Despite the fact that archaeologists had previously conducted investigations at the site, the temple remained poorly documented and largely unexplored until excavations undertaken this year as part of Penn Museum's Nimrud Project.
The latest findings help to cast new light on the history of ancient Assyria—considered to be one of the world's first empires. Assyria was a major civilization of ancient Mesopotamia—a historic region centered on modern-day Iraq.
During this year's excavations, archaeologists unearthed two previously unknown shrines within the Ninurta Temple—one larger than the other.
Inside the larger shrine, researchers found a monumental stone dais—a low platform for the statue of a god or goddess worshipped in the temple—featuring a cuneiform inscription. Cuneiform is considered to be the oldest known writing system. It was developed by the Sumerians of Mesopotamia more than 5,000 years ago.
The smaller shrine was found to contain a dais that appears to have been severely damaged in antiquity. Both of these finds provide insights into Assyrian religious practices at the temple, which was built during the reign of King Ashurnasirpal II, who ruled from 883–859 B.C.
Under his reign, Ashurnasirpal II transformed Nimrud into the imperial capital, although the city had a longer history as an Assyrian settlement stretching back to the previous millennium. The ruler undertook extensive construction projects, including palaces, temples and city fortifications. But in the late 8th century B.C., the city declined in importance when the Assyrian king Sargon II moved the empire's capital again to Dur-Sharrukin.
Then, around 614-612 B.C., invaders from Babylonia (modern-day southern and central Iraq) and Media (modern-day western Iran) pillaged and burned the temple as the Assyrian Empire collapsed at the hands of its enemies.
"The burning and sudden collapse of the Ninurta Temple left it in a remarkable state of preservation," Michael Danti, program director of Penn's Iraq Heritage Stabilization Program, said in a press release. "The condition and distribution of artifacts strongly suggest that the shrines and associated treasures were looted and intentionally damaged by the Babylonians and Medes before being set ablaze."
Among the most intriguing finds at the temple during recent excavations was a kudurru, a stone monument, which dates to 797 B.C., featuring a cuneiform inscription and symbols of important deities.
The team also found well-preserved clay tablets, also featuring cuneiform inscriptions, that shed light on the economic activities of the temple, such as silver loans and lists of assets. Other recovered objects include the sculpted head of a griffon, carved ivory and jewelry.
The wide range of object types, materials and artistic styles reflect the wealth of the Assyrian Empire, not to mention its military conquests and trade connections.
In 2015, much of ancient Nimrud was destroyed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). But in 2016, Iraqi forces retook control of the site. Since then, reconstruction efforts have been taking place in an attempt to repair the damage.
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