January
07
/ 2026
Two inscribed clay cylinders discovered in Iraq have provided the first foundation text documenting King Nebuchadnezzar II's restoration of the ancient ziggurat at Kish, confirming what archaeologists had only inferred from stamped bricks. The cylinders, found at Tell Al-Uhaimir in 2013, offer unprecedented insight into the construction activities of one of Mesopotamia's most powerful rulers and his devotion to the gods Zababa and Ishtar. The discovery marks a significant breakthrough in understanding the architectural achievements of the Neo-Babylonian Empire during Nebuchadnezzar II's reign from 604 to 562 BC. According to research published in the journal Iraq, these foundation deposits represent the first written documentation of the king's restoration work on the ziggurat, adding another chapter to the legacy of Babylon's
