The Middle East has been known to have much history in the past. Writings during those periods speak of people and places which, by and large, don't exist anymore or has moved somewhere else. Many of these are waiting to be found, such as the ancient Iraqi city from the Bronze Age that has recently been discovered.
The ancient city could be found in Northern Iraq, near the town of Dohuk. The site where the ancient city has been found is now the settlement area of Bassetki, a small Kurdish village. The city was likely part of the Akkadian Empire which was ruling in that area at that time.
Excavation of the area began from August to October 2016. Construction was to begin for a new highway there, and if excavation had not begun the ancient city might not have been found. The ancient city had been well protected, having a wall that was meant to stop any invasion.
The wall was built around 2700 B.C. while the first structures came up around 1800 A.D. Also found were Assyrian tablets which suggest that a temple for the Mesopotamian weather god Adad was probably located there as well. The city was well laid out, having a road network already established, as the University of Tubingen's site reports.
The site has been excavated by Professor Peter Pfatzner from the University of Tubingen. Together with him is Dr. Hasan Qasim from the Directorate of Antiquities. The site has been previously known, as the Bassetki statue has been discovered there. The existence of a statue in an otherwise remote area had archeologists wondering if something more significant was around that area.
Safety is a major concern, though, as the site is not far from a territory controlled by the Islamic State. The site has much historical value, which could come under attack by militant forces there. Professor Pfatzner said that the area has much security and is stable so far. Along with the research team, 30 people from the town of Dohuk has been working with them as also, according to Science Daily.
Pfatzner's team has been working in the area since 2013, and so far 300 sites have been discovered. The team hopes to continue research and excavation of the area until 2017. Professor Pfatzner said that the area has much potential as it was in important point for the Mesopotamian, Syrian and Anatolian cultures in the past, as the ancient Iraqi city from the Bronze Age that has been discovered has shown. Earlier also ancient Ottoman and Byzantine ships have been discovered.
