Nimrud (Kalhu)
𒌷𒆳𒄣 (Kalḫu) · Kalhu · Calah · Kalkhu
Middle to Neo-Assyrian (1350–612 BCE)·Assyrian·🇮🇶 Nineveh Governorate, Iraq
About
About Nimrud (Kalhu)
Second capital of Assyria after Assur under Ashurnasirpal II (883 BCE), who built the Northwest Palace with 600 m of alabaster lamassu and bas-reliefs (Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III showing King Jehu bowing, Nimrud Ivories of Phoenician ivory furniture). 360 ha walled city on Tigris with ziggurat, Centre Palace, and Fort Shalmaneser arsenal. Palace lab discovered 1988–89: Tomb of Queens with 100 kg gold jewellery (Yaba's crown). Tragically bulldozed by ISIS March 2015; many ivories recovered in Baghdad.
Why it mattersAssyrian art canon; Black Obelisk biblical anchor; Nimrud Ivories; queens' gold.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Queens' tomb identities — Yaba/Banu
- 02Missing ivories after 2015
Theories
- 01Arabic Nimrud eponym — biblical Nimrod
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1350 BCE Shalmaneser I; imperial capital 883 BCE
- Period
- Middle to Neo-Assyrian (1350–612 BCE)
- Culture
- Assyrian
- Builders
- Shalmaneser I, Ashurnasirpal II, Shalmaneser III, Tiglath-Pileser III
- Purpose
- Neo-Assyrian administrative and arsenal capital
- Abandoned
- 612 BCE (Median sack) then Hellenistic village
- Rediscovered
- 1820 Rich; 1845 Layard; 1949 Mallowan; 1988 Hussein queens tombs
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
883 BCE
Ashurnasirpal builds Northwest Palace
c.728 BCE
Black Obelisk — Jehu tribute
1989
Queens' tombs with gold crowns
2015
ISIS bulldozes ziggurat, palace and gates
On the ground
Structures & features
36.0980° N · 43.3280° E · 200 m · 4 mapped features
Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II
palaceLamassu and Black Obelisk palace
36.0985° N · 43.3285° EQueens' tombs (NT-A with gold crown)
tombQueens Yaba/Atalia gold hoard
36.0982° N · 43.3280° EFort Shalmaneser (ekal mašarti)
arsenalMilitary arsenal and ivory workshop
36.0950° N · 43.3250° EZiggurat of Nimrud
zigguratAshurnasirpal ziggurat (obliterated 2015)
36.0988° N · 43.3290° E
Gallery