An Iraqi antiquities official warned this week that the first capital of Assyria, the 4,500 year old city now known as Qalah Sharqat, is in danger of falling into the Tigris River.
"This season, the river washed away dozens of clay tablets and statues because there is no protective flood wall," said Mohammed al- Jabouri, who works for the antiquities department in Salah al-Din. He said that the river has also washed out 30 meters of Assur, Assyria's ancient religious capital. "The antiquities department in Salah al-Din province has repeatedly asked the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to protect [Qalah Sharqat] from the flood, but the ministry has done nothing so far, as if this is a matter of no concern," al-Jabouri said.
The site was partially excavated in the early 1900s, but was abandoned after World War I. No work has been done since then to complete the excavation.
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