Khorsabad–Sennacherib Canal — Khinis–Nineveh Aqueduct Canal System
Sennacherib aqueduct · Khinis–Jerwan aqueduct
Neo-Assyrian Sargonid (720 – 681 BCE)·Neo-Assyrian imperial under Sennacherib·🇮🇶 Nineveh Governorate, Khorsabad plain, Sennacherib's 55 km canal from Khinis/Bavian to Nineveh, Khorsabad branch, Iraq
About
About Khorsabad–Sennacherib Canal — Khinis–Nineveh Aqueduct Canal System
Branch of Sennacherib's 55 km canal-aqueduct system (690 BCE) diverting Khinis (Bavian) springs via the Jerwan segmental aqueduct (300 m long with 2 million limestone blocks) to Nineveh's orchards and Khorsabad's (Dur-Sharrukin) 6 km² Neo-Assyrian capital of Sargon II (717 BCE). Includes Khorsabad head aqueduct 5 km segmental arches 10 m high. Described by Sennacherib inscriptions at Bavian.
Why it mattersKhorsabad branch shows Sennacherib canal system fed two capitals, not just Nineveh, proving Assyrian twin-city hydraulics
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Jerwan arch true arch vs corbel debate (Andrae vs Reade)
- 02Khinis source Bavian vs Khinis branch split
Theories
- 01Sennacherib hydraulic imperialism model
- 02Ancient world's longest aqueduct preceding Romans by 600 years
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Sargon II 717 Dur-Sharrukin; 690 BCE canal and Jerwan aqueduct
- Period
- Neo-Assyrian Sargonid (720 – 681 BCE)
- Culture
- Neo-Assyrian imperial under Sennacherib
- Purpose
- Capital city orchard and population water for Nineveh and Khorsabad
- Abandoned
- 612 BCE Nineveh sack
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
717 BCE
Sargon II builds Dur-Sharrukin
690 BCE
Sennacherib completes Khinis canal and Jerwan aqueduct
1825
Botta finds Khorsabad
On the ground
Structures & features
36.5500° N · 43.3500° E · 340 m · 3 mapped features
Khorsabad Head Aqueduct Arches
aqueductSegment 5 km with 12 arches 10 m high near Dur-Sharrukin north gate
36.5505° N · 43.3505° EBavian Rock Relief Inscription
inscriptionSennacherib relief and 6-column cuneiform inscription at Khinis source
36.7180° N · 43.4190° EJerwan Segmental Arch
aqueductJerwan 300 m aqueduct central 5 voussoir arches
36.6580° N · 43.3980° E