Abandoned Assyrian capital unearthed with cutting-edge magnetic survey

Around 700 B.C., Neo-Assyrian emperor Sargon II began constructing a grand new capital in the desert of what is now Iraq. Known as Dur-Sharrukin (“Fortress of Sargon”), the site’s story has long been one of abandonment and incompletion.

However, a groundbreaking magnetic survey has rewritten this narrative, unveiling previously unknown structures and infrastructure within the city walls, suggesting the city thrived more extensively than previously believed.

Modern technology meets ancient ruins

The findings were presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in Washington, D.C., where over 28,000 scientists are convening to share the latest advancements in Earth and space research.

Using precision magnetometers, researchers revealed ghostly outlines of ancient buildings buried beneath the surface, painting a vivid picture of life beyond Sargon’s palace.

Rise and fall of Sargon II’s vision

Sargon II’s ambitious city project ended abruptly with his death, and his successor established a new capital in Nineveh. For centuries, the remains of Dur-Sharrukin, later called Khorsabad, were largely forgotten.

Rediscovered in the 19th century by French archaeologists, early excavations yielded treasures of Neo-Assyrian art from the palace but little else. This led scholars to conclude that construction beyond the palace had scarcely begun.

Revisiting Khorsabad in the wake of conflict

The story changed after the two-year occupation of Khorsabad by Daesh ended in 2017. The French Archaeological Mission at Khorsabad launched a new initiative to assess surface damage and conduct the first geophysical survey of the site’s buried remains.

Their goals included uncovering water infrastructure, examining city fortifications, and identifying traces of settlement outside the palace.

Magnetometry: A window into past

In 2022, Jorg Fassbinder of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, alongside researchers from Pantheon Sorbonne University and the University of Strasbourg, mapped 7% of the city using a high-resolution magnetometer. This device detects variations in magnetic signals from different materials underground, effectively providing an X-ray-like view of buried structures.

To ensure discretion in a turbulent region, the team avoided using drones or vehicles to carry the magnetometers. Instead, Fassbinder and a colleague walked more than 13 miles daily for seven days, hand-carrying the 33-pound instruments over an area of 2.79 million square feet.

Discoveries beneath surface

The survey yielded remarkable results. Visualized as grayscale images, the data revealed the locations of a water gate, possible palace gardens, and five massive buildings, including a 127-room villa twice the size of the White House. These discoveries suggest that Khorsabad was more than a construction zone; it was a living, thriving city for a time.

“Every day we discovered something new,” Fassbinder shared. The survey’s non-invasive approach saved significant time and resources, offering archaeologists a detailed roadmap for future excavations. “Excavation is very expensive, so understanding what lies beneath before digging is crucial,” he added.

Khorsabad’s renewed narrative highlights the potential of modern technology to reshape understanding of ancient civilizations. As researchers continue their work, this forgotten capital is once again claiming its place in the annals of history.