Archaeologists in Iraq Unearth an Ancient Protective Deity Statue

In 1995, just three years after its discovery, the head of a Lamassu statue was stolen in the historic capital of Khorsabad in Iraq’s northern Nineveh province. Because of the Iraqi government’s recent pursuit of stolen artifacts, the head was recovered. Governmental efforts to preserve archaeological heritage have led to the successful reopening of the Iraqi National Museum along with the repair and repatriation of thousands of artifacts that had been smuggled out of the country, like the head of the Lamassu. The plaque next to the head, which is kept at the National Museum, tells how thieves sawed the head into 11 pieces in an attempt to smuggle it out of the country. They were eventually caught and executed. The head was pieced back together but is still separate from the rest of its body which rests in its original location in Khorsabad. 

The history of the body of this Lamassu is no less thrilling than that of the head. Without its head, the body was reburied in 2014 by residents of the surrounding area following the Gulf War. Covering up the statue likely saved it from being destroyed in 2015 when ISIS went on a rampage, looting and destroying much of the remains of Khorsabad—an ancient, non-Islamic heritage site. After three decades since its first discovery, archaeologists made efforts to uncover the Lamassu’s body once more. The Lamassu deity is composed of the head of a human, the body of a bull, and the wings of a bird. It holds great significance in ancient cultures, dating back to ancient Mesopotamia.  This Lamassu in particular originates from Sargon II’s reign between 722-705 BCE. The sculptures are carved in such a way that when they’re viewed from the front, they appear to be standing still and alert, guarding whatever stands behind them. When they are viewed from the side, however, they appear to be striding forward. This Lamassu stood at Khorsabad’s city gates to provide protection. 

A group of Iraqi and French archaeologists conducted the excavation efforts with Dr. Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani of Iraq and Pascal Butterlin of France as the leaders. After great care re-excavating this beast, which had been buried for over thirty years, it was finally completed on November 24, 2023. In an interview, Butterlin stated, “I’ve never unearthed anything this big in my life before…the attention to detail is unbelievable.” The archaeologists hope to reunite the head with its body in the near future but they must first evaluate the condition of the Lamassu. They also must decide if the body will reunite with its head at the museum, or if the head will reunite with its body in its original location in the ground in the remains of Khorsabad. 

The recovery and ongoing preservation efforts of the Lamassu statue from Khorsabad, dating back to the time of Sargon II in ancient Mesopotamia, serve as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Iraq. The successful collaboration between Iraqi and French archaeologists highlights the importance of preserving and restoring artifacts that provide valuable insight into the ancient history of this region. As we anticipate the eventual reunion of the statue's head and body, we are reminded of the enduring significance of ancient Middle Eastern culture and the dedication of those working to protect and showcase it for future generations.