New magnetic survey reveals hidden structures in the ancient Assyrian capital Khorsabad

According to reports, a newly conducted magnetic survey has revealed several previously unknown structures in the ancient Assyrian capital Khorsabad in northern Iraq. The 2,700-year-old site was originally founded as Dur-Sharrukin, or “Sargon’s Fortress”, by the Neo-Assyrian emperor Sargon II in 713 BC. The discoveries include a huge villa with 127 rooms, royal gardens and a water gate. , challenging earlier assumptions that the city was left largely unfinished before its abandonment in the eighth century BC

Description of the survey and findings

The findings, presented by geophysicist Jörg Fassbinder of Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich during the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2024 annual meeting, were obtained without excavation. A magnetometer was manually operated over a 0.3 square kilometer area of ​​the site, revealing structures far beyond the previously excavated palace complex. The villa, described as twice the size of the White House, and other features suggest a level of development previously unknown in Khorsabad.

Neo-Assyrian Empire historian Sarah Melville commented in an email to Live Science that the non-invasive mapping technique provided valuable insights while preserving the integrity of the site. Melville’s comments highlight the importance of using advanced tools to gain a more comprehensive understanding of historical capitals such as Khorsabad.

Historical context and conservation challenges

The death of Sargon II in 705 BC resulted in the abandonment of the capital as his successor Sennacherib turned his attention to Nineveh. While excavations in the 19th and early 20th centuries revealed parts of the palace and iconic statues such as the Lamassu, significant parts of the city remained unknown. The site also suffered damage during looting by the Islamic State in 2015, with archaeological work resuming only after 2017.

Experts such as Daniele Morandi Bonacossi of the University of Udine said in their statement that the research fills an important gap by discovering non-monumental architectural and urban structures, which provide evidence of a thriving community. The future of the newly identified structures remains uncertain, as further excavation decisions are awaited.