LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)-In a fascinating twist of nature and history, archaeologists in Iraq have uncovered a remarkable discovery, 40 ancient tombs that have been hidden beneath the waters of the Mosul Dam reservoir for over 2,300 years.
The discovery was made possible after severe drought conditions caused water levels to drop significantly, exposing the ancient burial sites in the Khanke region of Duhok province, located in northern Iraq.
According to the Director of Antiquities in Duhok, Bekas Brefkany, the tombs were discovered along the edges of the reservoir.
While surveys in 2023 identified fragments of the tombs, it wasn’t until this year’s historic water level decline that the full scale of the discovery became clear.
“So far, we have uncovered approximately 40 tombs,” Brefkany confirmed, leading a team of archaeologists eager to study the site before it is submerged again.
The tombs are believed to date back to the Hellenistic and Hellenistic-Seleucid periods, making them invaluable pieces of Iraq’s ancient past.
READ ALSO:IRAQ: UN Accuses Authorities Of Kidnapping About One Million People
“These tombs provide us with a glimpse into a time long past, offering unique insights into the culture and practices of ancient civilizations in this region,” Brefkany added.
His team is already working diligently to excavate and transfer the artifacts to the Duhok Museum, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
This discovery is just the latest in a series of archaeological revelations in the region, which has been significantly affected by climate change.
For the last five years, Iraq has faced ongoing droughts, with a rapidly shrinking water supply. While these harsh conditions have wreaked havoc on agriculture and electricity, they have also unexpectedly provided archaeologists with the rare opportunity to unearth ancient ruins, long buried by the waters.
Iraq’s severe water shortages and increasing temperatures have made the country particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and experts are sounding alarms about the country’s dwindling water resources.
This year, water reserves are reported to be at an alarmingly low 8 percent of full capacity, exacerbated by upstream dams in Turkey and Iran that have restricted the flow of the vital Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
While drought has caused significant challenges, it has also unearthed treasures that offer a deeper understanding of the region’s rich past, serving as a poignant reminder of the fragile balance between nature and history.
