Ancient rock carvings found in Iraq at the ancient Mashki Gate

Archaeologists in northern Iraq have unearthed rock carvings that are around 2,700 years old. 

The carvings were found in Mosul by a US-Iraqi excavation team working to reconstruct the ancient Mashki Gate, which was destroyed in 2016 by the Islamic State (IS). 

Iraq is home to some of the world’s most ancient cities, including Babylon. But many archaeological sites were looted and damaged by militants and military action. 

The eight marble reliefs show finely chiselled war scenes, grape vines and palm trees. The rock carvings date back to Assyrian King Sennacherib, who ruled the ancient city of Nineveh from 705 to 681 BC, the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage said, in a statement seen by AFP.