The archeological site of the Mashki Gates.
The groupknown for their hatred of pre-Islamic structuresdestroyedthe archeological sites of the Mashki and Adad Gates.
These gates were part of the fortification wall atNineveh, an ancient city in what is now Iraq.
The archeological site of the Mashki Gates. (Photo:Iraqi State Board of Antiquities & Heritage)
The 7th-century BCE structures were rebuilt in the 20th century, but many ancient components were still on site.
It served as the capital of the powerful Assyrian Empire, which had writing systems and powerful regional control.
Unfortunately, ISIS used bulldozers to destroy much of this awe-inspiring structure.
A close up on a floral carving on marble. (Photo:Iraqi State Board of Antiquities & Heritage)
Restoration projects have commenced since the recapture of the area by the Iraqi government.
The slabs date to the reign of King Sennacherib from 705681 BCE.
They depict classicAssyrian artmotifs: archers, grapevines, and palm trees.
Assyrian soldiers with bows and arrows. (Photo:Iraqi State Board of Antiquities & Heritage)
We were all awestruck and virtually speechless.
No one predicted that we would be finding Sennacherib reliefs in a city gate.
The Mashki Gate will soon become an educational center to teach about the historic city of Nineveh.
A close up on a floral carving on marble.
Assyrian soldiers with bows and arrows.
