Archaeological Discoveries Made: Tombs from Antiquity Found in Iraq's Mosul Dam Reservoir

The Mosul dam, located on the Tigris River about 50km from Mosul, has been the centre of attention recently due to the unearthing of ancient tombs and the dam's vulnerability to climate change effects.

Built between 1981 and 1986, the Mosul Dam provides power and water to many areas in Iraq's north. However, its structure has been weakened due to a lapse in maintenance caused by its seizure by ISIS in 2014. The dam requires regular maintenance involving cement injections on leaking areas, but this crucial work was halted during the conflict.

In a significant archaeological discovery, approximately 40 tombs have been unearthed at the edges of the Mosul dam reservoir in the Khanke region of the Duhok province. The tombs, believed to be more than 2,300 years old, are said to date back as far as the Hellenistic or Hellenistic-Seleucid period.

Bekas Brefkany, the director of antiquities in Duhok, is leading the archaeological work at the site. The newly discovered tombs are being excavated and transferred to the Duhok Museum for further study and preservation.

The heatwave this summer has highlighted Iraq's vulnerability to climate change. Summer temperatures in Iraq often exceed 50°C, with some areas reaching 48°C and higher. This year, Iraq has endured its worst drought in decades, a situation that has enabled archaeologists to discover ruins dating back thousands of years in the same area.

The AFP news agency reported the discovery of these tombs. An Italian company called Trevi carried out maintenance and repair works on the dam under a $300 million contract funded by the World Bank in 2016.

The UN ranks Iraq as the fifth most at risk from global warming. The Mosul dam, with its historical and practical significance, serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of climate change and the importance of maintenance and preservation efforts.

Archaeological Discoveries Made: Tombs from Antiquity Found in Iraq's Mosul Dam Reservoir