Archaeologists uncover 30 ancient tombs near Mosul Dam in Iraq

DUHOK, Iraq (MNTV) — Archaeologists have unearthed around 30 ancient tombs along the banks of the Mosul Dam in northern Iraq after falling water levels exposed parts of the reservoir, local authorities announced this week.

The tombs, estimated to be more than 2,300 years old, were found in the Khanke region of Duhok province, according to the AFP news agency. 

Bekas Brefkany, director of antiquities in Duhok and head of the excavation team, said the discovery adds to nearly 40 graves documented so far.

Located on the Tigris River about 50 kilometers from Mosul, the Mosul Dam is a crucial source of electricity and water for northern Iraq. 

Prolonged droughts in recent years have periodically lowered reservoir levels, revealing archaeological remains that date back thousands of years.

“Droughts have devastating effects on agriculture and electricity, but for us archaeologists, they provide opportunities for excavation,” Brefkany said. He noted that the newly uncovered tombs likely belong to the Hellenistic or Hellenistic-Seleucid period.

Work is continuing to excavate the graves and transport them to the Duhok Museum for study and preservation before the reservoir waters rise again.

Iraq has been ranked among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing severe drought, water scarcity, and soaring summer temperatures. 

The UN lists Iraq as the world’s fifth most climate-affected nation, with recent heatwaves pushing temperatures beyond 50°C in several provinces.

The Mosul Dam, built in 1980, has long faced structural challenges requiring continuous grouting to reinforce leaking foundations. 

The facility was briefly seized by ISIS in 2014, further compromising maintenance. In 2016, Italian contractor Trevi carried out extensive repair work under a $300 million World Bank-funded project.