Lost Ancient City Discovered in Iraq
Archaeologists have uncovered a 'lost ancient city' from Alexander the Great's empire in Iraq using ground-penetrating radar and drone technology. The discovery revealed hidden streets and temples beneath the sands, offering fresh insights into urban planning from the Hellenistic period. The find represents one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the region in recent years.
- The site, named Qalatga Darband—Kurdish for "castle of the mountain pass"—was first identified through declassified American spy satellite photos taken during the 1960s as part of the Corona program. - A team from the British Museum is leading the exploration as part of a program to train Iraqi archaeologists in protecting heritage sites from destruction by groups like ISIS. - Though believed to have been founded by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C., artifacts suggest the city was primarily occupied later, during the first and second centuries B.C., under the Seleucid and Parthian empires. - Among the discoveries are statues thought to be of the Greek deities Persephone and Adonis, as well as terracotta roof tiles made in a Greco-Roman style, indicating a strong Hellenistic influence. - Evidence of structures believed to be wine presses has been found, suggesting the city may have been a key supplier for soldiers and traders traveling along the major route between Mesopotamia and Iran. - A coin depicting the Parthian king Orodes II, who reigned from 57 to 37 B.C., was unearthed at the site, confirming the city's use long after Alexander the Great's era. - The fortified settlement is substantial, covering an area of approximately 60 hectares (about 148 acres).
