An ancient city in Iraq is believed to be Zakhiku, a settlement in the Mittani Empire that reigned from 1550 to 1350 BC.
An ancient city in Iraq is believed to be Zakhiku, a settlement in the Mittani Empire that reigned from 1550 to 1350 BC.
Universities of Freiburg and Tübingen; KAO
Archaeologists raced against the clock to excavate the site before rising water levels engulfed the city again.
Archaeologists raced against the clock to excavate the site before rising water levels engulfed the city again.
Universities of Freiburg and Tübingen; KAO
Five ceramic vessels were discovered among the ruins and contained over 100 cuneiform tablets. They are likely from the Middle Assyrian Period, directly followng the Mittani Empire's reign.
Five ceramic vessels were discovered among the ruins and contained over 100 cuneiform tablets. They are likely from the Middle Assyrian Period, directly followng the Mittani Empire's reign.
Universities of Freiburg and Tübingen; KAO
Researchers tightly covered the ruins with plastic tarps to prevent the ancient site from water erosion.
Researchers tightly covered the ruins with plastic tarps to prevent the ancient site from water erosion.
Universities of Freiburg and Tübingen; KAO
The cuneiform tablets have yet to be studied, but researchers hope they detail the fate of the city after a devastating earthquake.
The cuneiform tablets have yet to be studied, but researchers hope they detail the fate of the city after a devastating earthquake.
Universities of Freiburg and Tübingen; KAO
Archaeologists had to work in extreme weather, like storms and freezing temperatures, to excavate the settlement before it disappeared underwater.
Archaeologists had to work in extreme weather, like storms and freezing temperatures, to excavate the settlement before it disappeared underwater.
Universities of Freiburg and Tübingen; KAO
It's virtually a miracle the vessels with the unfired clay tablets survived for decades underwater, according to researchers.
It's virtually a miracle the vessels with the unfired clay tablets survived for decades underwater, according to researchers.
Universities of Freiburg and Tübingen; KAO