A 3,400-year-old city emerges from the Tigris River - in pictures

  • Drought in Iraq has revealed a 3,400 city beneath the waters of a dam on the Tigris River.
    Drought in Iraq has revealed a 3,400 city beneath the waters of a dam on the Tigris River.
  • The ruins of a Bronze Age palace and other monumental buildings were revealed as the Mosul reservoir dried up.
    The ruins of a Bronze Age palace and other monumental buildings were revealed as the Mosul reservoir dried up.
  • The site at Kemune, underwater since the dam was filled in the 1980s, yielded many treasures to archaeologists.
    The site at Kemune, underwater since the dam was filled in the 1980s, yielded many treasures to archaeologists.
  • Archaeologists found five ceramic vessels containing more than 100 cuneiform tablets.
    Archaeologists found five ceramic vessels containing more than 100 cuneiform tablets.
  • Buildings were excavated then covered with plastic sheeting and covered with gravel before the water level rose again.
    Buildings were excavated then covered with plastic sheeting and covered with gravel before the water level rose again.
  • Cuneiform tablets from the site.
    Cuneiform tablets from the site.
  • The reservoir has now been filled again, once again submerging the ancient city.
    The reservoir has now been filled again, once again submerging the ancient city.
  • The UN says Iraq is most vulnerable country in the world to the effects of climate change.
    The UN says Iraq is most vulnerable country in the world to the effects of climate change.
  • Time to investigate the site was limited as the reservoir level rose.
    Time to investigate the site was limited as the reservoir level rose.
  • But investigators were able to map it for the first time.
    But investigators were able to map it for the first time.
  • The city is located at Kemune in the northern Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
    The city is located at Kemune in the northern Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
  • It is thought that the ruins could belong to Zakhiku, capital of the Mittani Empire that ruled the Tigris River area between 1550 and 1350 BC.
    It is thought that the ruins could belong to Zakhiku, capital of the Mittani Empire that ruled the Tigris River area between 1550 and 1350 BC.