The ancient citadel of Kirkuk - in pictures

Officials are hopeful that the weather-beaten site can be included on Unesco’s prestigious World Heritage List

A view of part of the ancient Kirkuk Citadel in Iraq's northern city of Kirkuk, the capital of the Kirkuk governorate.

Kirkuk Citadel is located in the centre of Kirkuk and is one of the oldest parts of the urban city. AFP

Some historians believe its oldest parts were built by the Gutian nomadic people and that it was renowned as far back as 3,500 years ago.

Other historians believe Kirkuk Citadel was built during the reign of the Assyrian king Ashur Nasirpal II between 850 and 884 BC. AFP

But in a country battered by years of conflict and government negligence, compounded by climate change, many of Iraq's Christian, Islamic and Mesopotamian historic sites have been left to weather away. AFP

Officials are hopeful that the site can be promoted from its current position of Unesco’s tentative list of heritage sites to the coveted World Heritage List.

For without protection this status would bring, the site is likely to crumble into worse disrepair. AFP

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