'Erasing History' in Nimrud, Iraq

Islamic State bulldozers 'erasing history' in Nimrud, Iraq

IS says ancient shrines and statues - like this Assyrian relief - are "false idols"


Archaeologists and cultural officials have expressed heartbreak and outrage about the bulldozing of the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud in Iraq.

Islamic State militants began demolishing the site on Thursday, Iraqi officials said.

The UN cultural body's Iraq director, Alex Plathe, called it "another appalling attack on Iraq's heritage".

"They are erasing our history," Iraqi archaeologist Dr Lamia al-Gailanitold the BBC.

IS says ancient shrines and statues are "false idols" that have to be smashed.
Many of Nimrud's artefacts have been transferred to museums in Baghdad and overseas, but giant "lamassu" statues - winged bulls with human heads - remain on site
Nimrud lies just south-east of Mosul, where militants attacked artefacts with sledgehammers last week

Nimrud, which was founded in the 13th Century BC, lies about 30km (18 miles) south-east of Mosul.

Many of the artefacts found there have been moved to museums in Baghdad and overseas, but larger artefacts remain on site.

'Levelled'

Nimrud covers a large area, and it is not yet clear whether it has been totally destroyed, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut, neighbouring Lebanon.

But a local tribal source told Reuters news agency: "Islamic State members came to the Nimrud archaeological city and looted the valuables in it and then they proceeded to level the site to the ground.

"There used to be statues and walls as well as a castle that Islamic State has destroyed completely."