Ancient City Uncovered in Iraq

An ancient city named Idu has been uncovered from beneath a mound in northern Iraq, LiveScience reports.

According to Cinzia Pappi, an archaeologist at the University of Leipzig in Germany, Idu was a center of activity between 3,330 and 2,900 years ago.

The site began under Assyrian control, acting as an administrative site for the surrounding territory, but gained its independence and became the center of a kingdom for some 140 years before being reconquered. Today, a modern village lies on top of the 32 foot mound.

Excavations were carried out in 2010 and 2011, the findings of which were reported in the the journal Anatolica.

Among the researchers' many discoveries was an inscription dating back to Idu's brief stint of independence. In the record, the ruler Ba'ilanu boasts a grander palace than his predecessors'.

The archaeologists also uncovered a bearded sphinx boasting a human head and body of a winged lion. Above it were the words: "Palace of Ba'auri, king of the land of Idu, son of Edima, also king of the land of Idu."

Fine palaces were constructed even during Assyrian rule, as seen in a decorated plaque stating: "Palace of Assurnasirpal, (king of the land of Assur)." According to the researchers, Assurnasirpal either built or rebuilt a palace after the Assyrians reclaimed the city as their own.

As of now, excavation has stalled, with further research requiring approval from the local government and residents of the area.

"For wide-scale excavations to continue, at least some of these houses will have to be removed," Pappi told LiveScience. "Unfortunately, until a settlement is reached between the villagers and the Kurdistan regional government, further work is currently not possible."

In the mean time, the researchers said they plan on surveying the surrounding area so as to gain a sense of the size of the ancient kingdom.

For pictures of the excavation, click here.