2024-12-22T03:18:21-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/149978438/isis-believed-to-have-bulldozed-2-900-year-old-assyrian-ziggurat-in-nimrud-iraq Alexander Walter 2016-11-14T18:42:00-05:00 >2018-01-30T06:16:04-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/3h/3hx1xzrwbtm4wfr6.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><em><p>One of the tallest surviving structures from the ancient world has been totally destroyed by Isil extremists at Nimrud, the former capital of Assyria, which was captured by Iraqi government forces on 13 November. The ziggurat, which was nearly 2,900 years old, was obliterated. Only the largest Egyptian pyramids are higher than Middle Eastern ziggurats and central American step pyramids. [...] incidents represent &ldquo;the worst damage that Isil has inflicted on Iraqi archaeology&rdquo;.</p></em><br /><br /><p><img title="" alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/7e/7e75lt4154l3zqbe.jpg"></p><p>An older satellite photo from August 31, 2016 shows the Ziggurat and Temple of Ishtar still intact. Image via ASOR Cultural Heritage Initiatives Facebook page.</p><p>Related stories in the Archinect news:</p><ul><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/146194308/destruction-of-iraq-s-oldest-christian-monastery-by-isis-militants-went-unreported-for-16-months" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Destruction of Iraq&rsquo;s oldest Christian monastery by ISIS militants went unreported for 16 months</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/121736292/isis-continues-destruction-of-ancient-artefacts-burns-mosul-library-smashes-antique-statues" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ISIS continues destruction of ancient artefacts, burns Mosul library, smashes antique statues</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/149936860/palmyra-after-isis-a-first-look-at-the-level-of-destruction" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Palmyra after ISIS: a first look at the level of destruction</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/149964570/international-criminal-court-hears-first-case-of-cultural-destruction-as-war-crimes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">International Criminal Court hears first case of cultural destruction as war crimes</a></li></ul>