IRAQ: French archaeologists unearth Lamasu statue in Nineveh discovered in 1990s and reburied for protection
NINEVEH PLAINS — A French excavation team has successfully recovered the body of the famed winged-bull Lamasu in the historic Nineveh Plains region in Iraq. The statue had made international headlines when its head was stolen and smuggled out of Iraq.
The French excavation mission located the statue within the Khorasab Archaeological Site, situated within the ancient capital of the Assyrian King Sargon II. The statue is located in the vicinity of the main entrance to the royal palace at Khorsabad, an iconic structure that once served as the seat of Assyrian power during the 7th century BC.
Khair al-Din Ahmed Habib, the Inspector of Nineveh Antiquities and Heritage, clarified that this specific winged bull had been previously discovered by an Iraqi antiquities mission in the 1990s. Therefore, the current excavation has unearthed a piece of cultural heritage with a storied history.
In 1995, the head of the winged bull was stolen, later to be found and returned to the Iraqi National Museum. However, the head’s journey was marked by challenges and amidst Iraq’s turbulent political landscape, the decision was made to re-bury the winged bull in its original location to shield it from the adverse effects of the weather. The intent was to retrieve the statue when the circumstances were more favorable.
A Lamasu, also spelled as “Lamassu” or “Lamassus”, is a mythological creature that originated in ancient Mesopotamian mythology. These creatures are often depicted as winged, human-headed bulls or lions with protective and guardian attributes. Lamassu figures are typically large and were commonly used as decorative motifs in Assyrian and Babylonian art and architecture, as well as in other ancient civilizations in the region.
Lamasu were often placed at the entrances of palaces, temples, and other significant structures. They were believed to serve as protective spirits, guarding these important buildings and their inhabitants from evil forces and malevolent spirits. The imposing and powerful appearance of Lamasu, with the body of a mighty beast and the face of a wise human, symbolized both strength and intelligence.
In related news, across the border in Syria, multiple reports indicate a surge in antiquities smuggling carried out by factions of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), particularly the Hamza Division and Amshat Division. These groups have undertaken a campaign of looting in the city of Rish Ayno (Ras al-Ayn), employing invasive digging and excavation tactics.