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Nimrud

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description Nimrud Overview

Nimrud is an ancient Assyrian archaeological site in northern Iraq, originally established as the capital city of Kalhu by King Ashurnasirpal II in the 9th century BCE. The site is distinguished by its monumental architecture, including the Northwest Palace, which was historically adorned with colossal winged bull statues known as lamassu. Excavations at Nimrud also uncovered thousands of finely carved ivory panels, representing one of the most significant collections of ancient Near Eastern art. The site's standing structures and artifacts sustained heavy destruction during the ISIS occupation in 2015.

help Nimrud FAQ

What was Nimrud called in ancient Assyria?

Nimrud was known as Kalhu, or Calah, in ancient Assyrian history. King Ashurnasirpal II made it the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire in the ninth century BCE.

What is the Northwest Palace at Nimrud?

The Northwest Palace was a monumental royal complex built under Ashurnasirpal II. It was famous for carved stone reliefs showing royal ceremonies, battles, protective spirits, and tribute bearers.

Where is the archaeological site of Nimrud?

Nimrud is in northern Iraq, south of modern Mosul near the Tigris River. Its location made it important for controlling routes through the Assyrian heartland.

What happened to Nimrud in the modern period?

The site suffered severe destruction in 2015 during the conflict involving Islamic State militants. Archaeologists and heritage groups have since worked to document the damage and assess possible preservation.

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