Ancient tombs dating back to the Hellenistic period have been unearthed in drought-stricken Iraq, thanks to receding water levels in the Mosul Dam reservoir. Archeologists discovered approximately 40 tombs at the edges of the Khanke region in Duhok province, which are believed to be over 2,300 years old.
Bekas Brefkany, director of antiquities in Duhok and leader of the excavation, stated that his team only spotted parts of a few tombs during a survey in 2023. However, the significant drop in water levels this year allowed them to survey the site more extensively.
Droughts have affected Iraq for the past five years, impacting agriculture, electricity, and other aspects of life. But for archaeologists, it has provided an opportunity to uncover historical sites that would have been submerged otherwise. The newly-discovered tombs are planned to be transferred to the Duhok Museum for further study and preservation.
Iraq, already vulnerable to the effects of climate change, is facing severe droughts and water shortages, with only 8 percent of water reserves remaining. The country’s once-mighty rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, have seen significantly reduced flows due to upstream dams in neighboring Iran and Turkey, making the situation even more critical.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/31/drought-in-iraq-unearths-more-than-2000-years-old-tombs?traffic_source=rss
