I wonder if the Marines know anything about what happened to this lost treasure? We busted our way into Iraq and murdered hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis, all so a few EL-ites could pirate Giglameshes tomb and whatever life rejuvenation tech they thought was contained within it. I really hope they never figured out how to use it properly, or at least accidentally butchered the first few people who tried using it.
It’s sad that this treasure is now in the hands of some asshole who doesn’t deserve it.
Source: Assyrian Treasures from the city of Kalhu (Nimrud)
The Tombs of the Assyrian Queens Yaba, Banitu, and Atalia
The Royal Tomb of Nimrud were first discovered in April of 1989 by an expedition of the Iraqi Department of Antiquities and Heritage. The Tomb was located in the North-West Palace of the Ancient city of Kalkhu (modern city of Nimrud). The city of Kalkhu was a capital of the Assyrian Empire for over 150 years until King Sargon moved the capital to Dur-Sharukin (modern Khorshabad) in 717 B.C. The city is located 4 miles south-west of the Christian monastery of Mar Behnam. The first dig of this ancient site was conducted by a British mission over 150 years ago, which uncovered many reliefs. Many Ancient Assyrian Tombs have been found in the past, however the goods had all been plundered and stolen. Two remaining tombs exist; one in Berlin and one in its original location in the city of Ashur. The sarcophagus in the tomb chamber contained hundreds of items including jewelry, vessels, ornaments, seals and other goods. The items displayed Syrian and Phoenician iconography in addition to central Assyrian Art. The treasures Belonged to:
- Yaba, Queen of Tiglathpileser III, king of Assyria 744-727
- Banitu, Queen of Shalmanasser V, king of Assyria 726-722
- Atalia, Queen of Sargon II, king of Assyria 721-705
Finding the Treasures of Nimrud
An Interview with Jason Williams
A filmmaker recounts the remarkable story of recovering the Treasures of Nimrud in the Central Bank of Iraq and comments on Iraq’s heritage crisis.
The Interview:
Weblinks:
AIA Urges Protection of Iraq’s Archaeological Heritage(Archaeological Institute of America)
Ancient Assyrian Treasures Found Intact in Baghdad (National Geographic Ultimate Explorer)
Fertile Crescent (Joshua J. Mark)
Looted Treasures Return to Iraq (the Iraq Museum)
Iraq Treasures to Tour US (BBC) (BBC)
Mesopotamia (The British Museum)
The National Geographic Society’s Cultural Assessment of Iraq (National Geographic Society)
Nimrud: Central Palace Area, 9th-8th centuries BCE (Dr. Paley)
Nimrud: Northwest Palace of Ashur-Nasir-pal II, 9th Century BCE(Dr. Paley)
Stolen Stones: The Modern Sack of Nineveh, by John Malcolm Russell (Archaeology Magazine)
Task Force on the Cultural Heritage of Iraq (Archaeological Institute of America)
The Tower of Babel: Archaeology, History, and Cuneiform Texts (A.R. George, London) (University of Maryland
Treasure of Nimrud Is Found In Iraq, and It’s Spectacular (Ancient Worlds)
