Nineveh, Archaeological site in Mosul, Iraq
Nineveh spreads across two large mounds, Tell Kuyunjiq and Tell Nabi Yunus, on the eastern bank of the Tigris River, covering 750 hectares within ancient walls. The site reveals palace foundations, temple ruins, and residential quarters distributed over multiple levels.
The settlement reached its height around 700 BCE under King Sennacherib, when water supply systems and large buildings were erected. Babylonian forces destroyed the city in 612 BCE after a three-month siege.
Stone reliefs on the palace walls show military campaigns, royal ceremonies, and scenes from everyday life in Assyrian times. Visitors can see these carvings today and understand how people documented their power and daily routines.
Archaeological excavations have continued since 1820 and still bring artifacts, building remains, and clay tablets to light. Access to the grounds depends on security conditions, so checking current information before planning a visit is advisable.
The royal library of Ashurbanipal contained over 20,000 clay tablets with texts on medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and the Epic of Gilgamesh. This collection is considered one of the earliest systematic archives in human history.
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