Nineveh: The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities has announced the remarkable discovery of a two-meter-high stele from the reign of King Ashurbanipal, dating back to the 7th century BC. This significant find was made during the restoration of archaeological sites that suffered damage during Mosul's liberation from ISIS.

According to Iraqi News Agency, Ruwaid Muwaffaq, Inspector of Antiquities and Heritage in Nineveh, revealed at a press conference that this Assyrian stele is a vital addition to Iraq's cultural heritage, showcasing the grandeur of the Assyrian Empire. The stele, discovered on June 6th by an Iraqi-American archaeological mission involving Iraqi personnel, commemorates King Ashurbanipal's architectural achievements in Nineveh and the broader Assyrian Empire.

Muwaffaq explained that the head of the General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage has overseen the transport of the stele to the Nineveh Antiquities and Heritage Inspectorate for maintenance and preservation. The stele will undergo specialized scientific studies, with results to be announced later. This discovery was part of rehabilitation efforts at sites damaged post-Mosul liberation, with international collaborations, including a mission from the University of Chicago, focusing on restoring the Gate of the God Shamash.

The stele, carved from Mosul limestone, measures approximately two meters in height and one meter fifty-five centimeters in width. It features a relief of King Ashurbanipal flanked by two Assyrian figures, with cuneiform inscriptions on the reverse detailing architectural accomplishments in Nineveh during his reign.

The State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, in collaboration with the archaeological mission, is studying the stele and assembling its fragments to determine its future display, whether at its original site at the Gate of the God Shamash or at the Mosul Museum of Civilization. This discovery underscores Nineveh's potential to reveal further archaeological treasures, with ongoing excavations promising additional cultural insights into the Assyrian Empire's history, as the State Board continues its efforts to rehabilitate and preserve damaged sites.