The ancient city of Zakhiku, 30km southwest of Dohuk, has endured the ravages of an earthquake, Assyrian conquest and submersion by the Mosul dam built by Saddam Hussein in 1980.

The ancient city of Zakhiku was reportedly a thriving centre for the Mittani Empire located on the Tigris River. In present day, this location is in Kemune in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Reservoir water levels have dropped in Iraq’s ongoing drought, exposing an ancient city, possibly Zakhiku, in the Mosul dam and Gary Qasruka in the Dohuk Dam.

Reservoir water levels have dropped in Iraq’s ongoing drought, exposing an ancient city, possibly Zakhiku, in the Mosul dam and Gary Qasruka in the Dohuk Dam.

Reservoir water levels have dropped in Iraq’s ongoing drought, exposing an ancient city, possibly Zakhiku, in the Mosul dam and Gary Qasruka in the Dohuk Dam.

Reservoir water levels have dropped in Iraq’s ongoing drought, exposing an ancient city, possibly Zakhiku, in the Mosul dam and Gary Qasruka in the Dohuk Dam.

Reservoir water levels have dropped in Iraq’s ongoing drought, exposing an ancient city, possibly Zakhiku, in the Mosul dam and Gary Qasruka in the Dohuk Dam.

About 20 miles away, a second city also surfaced, photos show. Reservoir water levels have dropped in Iraq’s ongoing drought, exposing an ancient city, possibly Zakhiku, in the Mosul dam and ...

About 20 miles away, a second city also surfaced, photos show. Reservoir water levels have dropped in Iraq’s ongoing drought, exposing an ancient city, possibly Zakhiku, in the Mosul dam and ...

Reservoir water levels have dropped in Iraq’s ongoing drought, exposing an ancient city, possibly Zakhiku, in the Mosul dam and Gary Qasruka in the Dohuk Dam.

About 20 miles away, a second city also surfaced, photos show. Reservoir water levels have dropped in Iraq’s ongoing drought, exposing an ancient city, possibly Zakhiku, in the Mosul dam and ...