SoA Forum

History => Ancient and Medieval History => Topic started by: Imperial Dave on Aug 31, 2025, 07:46 AM

Title: Drought in Iraq uncovers new discoveries
Post by: Imperial Dave on Aug 31, 2025, 07:46 AM
Ancient tombs unearthed in Iraq due to drought https://share.google/OFNXROx3iJvCDwYYn

Short article but hopefully of interest
Title: Re: Drought in Iraq uncovers new discoveries
Post by: DBS on Sep 01, 2025, 07:02 AM
The Mosul Dam was constructed hurriedly by Saddam, without any proper rescue excavation, so good that the drought (an otherwise bad thing) is being exploited in this way.  The other silver lining may be the safety of the dam - I am out of date, but it was in a very bad state, and an Italian engineering firm was working hard to stabilise it in 2014 until forced out by Daesh.  Since Daesh have been eliminated in that area, I assume the Italians were able to return to work, but it was very touch and go ten years ago as to whether the dam would hold long enough; the modelling of consequences if it had collapsed showed death and destruction all the way down to Baghdad...
Title: Re: Drought in Iraq uncovers new discoveries
Post by: Nick Harbud on Sep 01, 2025, 08:05 AM
Of course, Italian engineers do not have an unblemished record when it comes to dams (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajont_Dam).

Title: Re: Drought in Iraq uncovers new discoveries
Post by: Imperial Dave on Sep 01, 2025, 08:07 AM
Fascinating. So perhaps of the few places around praying for continued drought!