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Iraq: Ancient Mesopotamian city threatened
In 1903, German archeologists began extensive excavations at the
Mesopotamian capital of Assur, which is known as "the cradle of
civilization." But their work and that of countless subsequent
archeological teams over the ensuing century was interrupted by two
world wars, the Iran-Iraq and Gulf Wars, and UN sanctions against
Iraq. Only recently have German, Austrian, and Japanese research
teams resumed work at Assur, which lies on the banks of the Tigris
River in modern-day Iraq.
Assur was the capital and religious center of Assyria, a northern
region of Mesopotamia, from roughly 2000 to 614 B.C., when the
Babylonians assumed control. Writing—accomplished with sticks
on clay tablets—first developed there, as did work with bronze
and iron. So far, archeologists have found only 10 of 34 temples
thought buried at Assur. Scholars believe further excavations will
pinpoint the remaining temples as well as artworks, residences, and
other windows into this key period in the history of civilization.
That is, if time permits. Construction is currently underway on the
Makhul Dam, which will stretch across the Tigris valley between two
mountains, creating a 20-mile-long lake. The new lake will flood the
ancient city, reducing priceless cuneiform tablets to mud and
destroying other irreplaceable artifacts. Archeological teams from
Iraq and elsewhere have until 2007, the dam's scheduled completion
date. With the Iraqi government determined to go ahead with the dam
project, which will provide desperately needed water to northern
Iraq for agricultural purposes during the dry season, archeologists
and conservationists have begun arguing for a costly barrier wall to
be built around Assur.
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