Monday, April 29, 2024

Baghdad

An exciting new discovery in Mesopotamia

 An exciting new discovery in Mesopotamia

The body of the Winged Bull Lamassu, unearthed at the Khorsibad archaeological site in Nineveh, Iraq.

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – A recent discovery in Mesopotamia has captured global attention.

All eyes are now on the body of the Winged Bull Lamassu, unearthed at the Khorsibad archaeological site in Nineveh, the historic capital of the Assyrian ruler Sargon II.

The French archaeological team achieved a significant breakthrough today by unveiling the complete body of the Winged Bull Lamassu, with its entire wings. They described the sculpture as standing three meters tall, weighing 10 tons, and crafted from white limestone.

The statue was located near the primary entrance to the Khorsibad royal palace, which served as the center of Assyrian rule during the seventh century BC. The mission reported that the statue was well-preserved, with its original colors still intact.

In the 1990s, the statue faced a harrowing incident when thieves attempted to smuggle it out of Iraq, resulting in the severance of its head. Thankfully, the severed head found its way to the Iraqi Museum, where it underwent a meticulous restoration process. Today, it proudly graces the Assyrian Hall of the museum. The body of the statue, on the other hand, remained shrouded in mystery until today, when the French mission made their remarkable discovery.


Mesopotamia boasts a rich history that spans millennia, giving rise to some of the world’s most ancient cities and earliest civilizations, including the Babylonians, Sumerians, and Assyrians. Among the treasures of this historical tapestry, the Lamassu statue emerges as a prominent figure within Mesopotamian and Assyrian art and mythology. It bears profound historical, cultural, and artistic significance, encapsulating the essence of this era.

The discoveries unveiled today have rekindled the fervor of archaeologists, inspiring them to embark on fresh journeys of exploration and study into the rich and captivating history of the Assyrian Empire.