Archaeologists in northern Iraq have uncovered dozens of ancient tombs after falling water levels at the Mosul Dam reservoir revealed a previously submerged burial ground, officials said Saturday.
The find includes about 40 tombs believed to be more than 2,300 years old, dating to the Hellenistic and Seleucid periods. The site lies near Khanke in Dohuk province, along the banks of Iraq's largest reservoir.
"So far, we have discovered approximately 40 tombs," said Bekas Brefkany, director of antiquities in Dohuk, who is leading the excavation. His team documented clay coffins among the burials, along with other remains linked to a large cemetery.
Archaeologists first surveyed the area in 2023, when only small fragments were visible above the waterline. Excavation work became possible this year when the reservoir dropped to its lowest recorded level. The newly uncovered tombs are being transferred to the Dohuk Museum for preservation and further study.
🚨BREAKING: Over 30 Ancient Tombs in Iraq Revealed Due to Drought!
The tombs, believed to be over 2,300 years old, were unearthed at the edges of the Mosul Dam reservoir in the Khanke region of Duhok province in the country's north. pic.twitter.com/FYbMMteq75
-- Jay Anderson (@TheProjectUnity) August 30, 2025
"The droughts have significant impact on many aspects, like agriculture and electricity. But, for us archaeologists... it allows us to do excavation work," Brefkany said.
Researchers believe the discovery will provide valuable insights into the Hellenistic period in northern Mesopotamia, when local traditions merged with the influence of Greek rulers and settlers following Alexander the Great's conquests.
The material could help reconstruct patterns of trade, governance, and culture during a formative era in the region's history.
The discovery also highlights how Iraq's worsening climate crisis is reshaping its landscape. The country has faced five straight years of severe drought, leaving it one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the Middle East.
An archaeological site submerged during the construction of the Mosul Dam in 1986 has resurfaced due to drought. At least 40 graves have been discovered in a large cemetery near the site, Bekas Brifkani, head of Duhok's Antiquities and Heritage Department, told Rudaw English. pic.twitter.com/2FFw6czT7J
-- Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) August 29, 2025
Authorities say 2025 is among the driest years since 1933, with water reserves reduced to just 8% of full capacity. Rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, and higher evaporation rates have worsened shortages.
Officials also blame upstream dams in Turkey and Iran for reducing the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which have been lifelines of Iraqi civilization for thousands of years.
Built in the 1980s, the Mosul Dam submerged more than 80 villages, schools, and archaeological sites when it was filled. Its fluctuating waters have since revealed long-lost remains. Since 2018, archaeologists have documented reemerging Yazidi villages, cemeteries, and even a school building along the reservoir. The latest discovery adds to this pattern.
"Since 2018, we have been monitoring the water levels, when the first major drop brought ancient findings to light," Brefkany said.
The find comes shortly after another major archaeological announcement in the region. Earlier this year, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported the discovery of three New Kingdom tombs in Luxor, dating between 1550 and 1070 B.C. Inscriptions carved into the walls identified the senior statesmen buried there.
Together, the discoveries underscore how climate shifts, excavation, and chance exposures continue to reshape understanding of the ancient world across the Middle East.