Archaeology in Action

In this series kick-off Dr. Michael Danti reveals one of the biggest discoveries since the 19th century—the Assyrian reliefs at the Mashki Gate of Nineveh. He’ll also share updates about his work at the Ishtar Sharrat Niphi Temple and Palace of Adad-Nerari III at Nimrud in Iraq. Work in and around the Mashki Gate and at other city gates is revising our understanding of the city’s defenses, and work at the Assyrian capital city of Nimrud has revealed significant new details on the Palace of Adad-Nerari III and this poorly understood period in the city's development. This palace, first excavated by Austen Henry Layard and later by Muzahim Hussein, still has much to offer in terms of our understanding of Assyrian palace architecture, its interior decoration, and the evolution of Nimrud over time. Exciting new discoveries were made here in 2023 shedding new light on this poorly understood monumental temple complex.