Archaeologists Race to Preserve Its Secrets: 3,400-Year-Old Lost City Discovered in Iraq

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A long-forgotten 3,400-year-old city from the Mittani Empire has resurfaced from the depths of the Tigris River, offering archaeologists a rare and unexpected opportunity to explore an ancient urban center that had remained hidden for decades. This astonishing discovery was made possible due to a severe drought in Iraq, which caused water levels in the Mosul Reservoir to drop dramatically.

The ancient city, known as Zakhiku, is believed to have been a major hub of the Mittani Empire (1550–1350 BCE), a once-powerful civilization that controlled large parts of northern Mesopotamia and Syria. The sudden reappearance of this ancient metropolis has ignited a race against time, as archaeologists rush to document and preserve its secrets before the waters rise again.

Iraq is one of the most climate-affected countries in the world, with prolonged droughts and extreme weather patterns threatening both modern life and historical sites. In early 2023, as the country faced yet another severe water crisis, officials released massive amounts of water from the Mosul Reservoir to sustain farmlands and prevent crop failures.

This dramatic drop in water levels unexpectedly revealed the ruins of an ancient Bronze Age city, which had been submerged for decades. With no prior archaeological research conducted at the site, experts from Germany and Kurdistan quickly mobilized a team to excavate, document, and preserve as much of the city as possible before it was submerged once again.

Within days, an emergency excavation project was launched, funded by the Fritz Thyssen Foundation through the University of Freiburg. Time was of the essence, as no one knew when the water levels would rise again.

As archaeologists carefully mapped and explored the site, they uncovered a vast fortified city, complete with:

A massive defensive wall with towers.

A multi-story storage facility.

An extensive industrial complex.

A grand palace.

The palace had been identified in a brief excavation in 2018, but this new opportunity allowed researchers to uncover even more significant structures, revealing a sophisticated urban landscape that once thrived along the Tigris River.

The city appears to have met a violent end, possibly due to a catastrophic earthquake. The ruins suggest widespread destruction, with collapsed buildings and damaged infrastructure. However, what followed this disaster is just as fascinating—the site was later occupied by the Assyrians, marking a crucial transition in the region’s history.

One of the most remarkable discoveries was a collection of over 100 cuneiform tablets, housed inside five large ceramic vessels. These tablets, dating to the Middle Assyrian period, were miraculously preserved despite centuries underwater.

According to archaeologist Peter Pfälzner, “It is almost miraculous that cuneiform tablets made of unfired clay survived for so long beneath water.” Some of the tablets were still sealed in their original clay envelopes, suggesting they may contain letters, administrative records, or historical documents.

These artifacts could provide vital insights into the final years of the Mittani Empire, as well as the rise of Assyrian dominance in the region. If deciphered, they may rewrite key aspects of Mesopotamian history.

With the excavation complete, researchers took emergency conservation measures to protect the site from future water damage. The Gerda Henkel Foundation supported a preservation project in which the entire excavation area was covered with plastic sheeting and gravel. This protective layer will shield the fragile clay structures from erosion caused by rising waters.

Despite these efforts, the city has now been submerged once again, disappearing beneath the Mosul Reservoir. However, the discoveries made during this brief excavation have provided a groundbreaking look into one of Mesopotamia’s lost civilizations.

The Mittani Empire, though lesser known than its rivals Babylon and Assyria, played a critical role in Mesopotamian history. Its rulers controlled vital trade routes and engaged in diplomatic alliances with Egyptian pharaohs. Yet, much about this empire remains mysterious, as few of its cities have been extensively excavated.

The discovery of Zakhiku offers an unprecedented opportunity to learn about this lost civilization, its interactions with neighboring empires, and its eventual decline. Even though the city has returned beneath the waters, the artifacts and records recovered may hold answers to questions that have puzzled historians for centuries.

With climate change and droughts increasing worldwide, similar hidden ancient cities may soon emerge in other parts of the world. What else might be lying beneath lakes, rivers, or deserts, waiting to be rediscovered?