Excavations of the Royal Palaces on Tell Nebi Yunus and Tell Kuyunjik at Nineveh, Seasons 2021–2023

Abstract

Heidelberg University’s research in ancient Nineveh, which began in 2018, continued in 2021–2023. In the late Assyrian Military Palace on Tell Nebi Yunus, the excavations concentrated on the rooms on the north-west and south-west sides of the throne room. Further investigations were carried out on Tell Kuyunjik. In the throne room wing of the Southwest Palace, the fragments of the relief decoration smashed by the Islamist terrorists were uncovered, measured, inventoried and secured for the planned restoration in a specially built storage. Following earlier Iraqi excavations in the central area of the North Palace, surveys and additional sondages were carried out with the aim of georeferencing the older plans of the building. In addition, geoarchaeological investigations were carried out at a number of sites in the urban area of Nineveh and in the area of its fortifications.