NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — In the ancient city of Khursbad (Dur Sharruqin, Iraq), archaeologists have re-excavated a monumental sculpture depicting an Assyrian protective deity.
This historical artifact was presented to the public for the first time after a thirty-year wait.
Lamassu is a symbol of ancient Assyrian mythology, often depicted with a human head, bird wings, and the body of a bull or lion.
These protective deities stood at the entrances to great cities and palaces, serving both symbolic and decorative purposes, as well as protecting their masters from external threats.
Interest in the find arose after Lamassu was first discovered in 1992 by an Iraqi archaeological team, but his head was stolen in 1995.
The head was later found and preserved in the Iraq Museum, but the rest of the sculpture was reburied to protect it from destruction during the chaos of the Gulf War.
This drastic measure appears to have saved Lamassa from complete destruction, especially given the destruction of much of Khursbad in 2015.
Keeping in mind the historical and cultural significance of this find, a joint Iraqi-French archaeological mission led by Professor Dr. Ahmed Faqaq al-Badrani began re-excavation of the lamassu.
Chairman of the General Authority for Archeology and Heritage, Dr Laith Majid Hussain said assessments are currently being carried out to determine future conservation efforts of this unique sculpture.
Lamassu, made of alabaster, weighs about 19 tons and is almost 4 meters long. This find highlights the rich historical and cultural significance of the region.
Khursbad, also known as Dur-Sharrukin, was planned as a new capital by the Assyrian king Sargon II in 721 BC.
However, after the death of Sargon II’s son, Sennacherib, the capital was moved to Nineveh, leaving the construction of Khursbad unfinished.
It is important to note that despite the age of the sculpture, it has survived millennia with minimal damage, which speaks of the exceptional skill of the Assyrians.
Discussions are currently underway about the possibility of reuniting the head of the Lamassu, located in the Iraq Museum, with his body.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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