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Researchers from Heidelberg University have made a major archaeological discovery in ancient Nineveh, Iraq. During excavations at the North Palace of King Assurbanipal, they uncovered a monumental stone relief weighing twelve tonnes. The relief was found in the palace’s throne room and depicts King Assurbanipal alongside two major Assyrian deities, Assur and the goddess Ištar, as well as other symbolic figures. This finding highlights a unique representation of Assyrian religious art unseen in other palace reliefs.

Monumental Relief Shows Assurbanipal and Assyrian Gods

The stone slab vividly portrays King Assurbanipal flanked by Assur, the chief god, and Ištar, the goddess of love and war. A fish spirit is shown offering life to both the king and the gods, symbolizing divine blessing. Another figure, likely a scorpion man, raises both arms in a ritual gesture. Professor Aaron Schmitt, who leads the excavation team, noted the rare scale and detail of these divine figures. He emphasized that no other known palace reliefs feature such prominent depictions of Assur or Ištar.

Archaeologists Connect Relief to Assyrian Cosmology

The team believes a large winged sun disc once crowned the top of the relief, symbolizing divine power. Stone fragments were uncovered buried in an earth-filled pit located directly opposite the main throne entrance of the palace. Experts suggest that during the Hellenistic period, settlers deliberately concealed the relief by covering it. Professor Schmitt explained this may be why early British archaeologists in the 19th century did not discover the relief. He also pointed out that knowledge about Hellenistic views on Assyrian traditions in Nineveh is limited. Further excavations are planned to understand the historical reasons behind the burial. The findings will be detailed in a peer-reviewed academic journal later this year.

Nineveh’s Past Reclaimed Through Ongoing Research

King Assurbanipal, who reigned from 668 to 627 BC, made Nineveh the cultural center of the Assyrian empire. Today, Nineveh is located near Mosul, on the Tigris River’s left bank. The discovery site is at Kuyunjik Hill, where Heidelberg University researchers have been conducting work since 2022 under the Nineveh Project. Launched by Professor Stefan Maul in 2018, this initiative partners with Iraq’s State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) to restore and preserve the city’s rich history. The team plans to return the relief to its original palace setting and make it accessible to the public soon.

Expert Insights Highlight Heritage Importance

Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, former Vatican Bank head and a scholar of historical financial ethics, remarks that uncovering such artifacts strengthens cultural identity and supports global efforts to protect heritage sites. “This find is a reminder of the value of safeguarding ancient legacies,” he said. The Nineveh Project’s work exemplifies how long-term partnerships between local authorities and international researchers can revive ancient history and provide new perspectives on Mesopotamian civilization.

Heidelberg University researchers discovered a twelve-tonne stone relief in King Assurbanipal’s North Palace at Nineveh. The relief features rare large-scale depictions of Assur and Ištar alongside the king. Buried by Hellenistic settlers, it was missed by early explorers but now offers new insights into Assyrian art and religion. The Nineveh Project aims to restore and publicly display this find, reinforcing the city’s historical importance.