In Iraq, people have been struggling to cope with one of the worst droughts on record. Yet the dry conditions have proved to be a boon for one sector: archaeology. Excavation teams have been able to unearth ancient ruins that were once submerged.

Khanke

A significant drought in Iraq has caused water levels in the Mosul reservoir to recede, exposing ancient tombs that had been hidden underwater. Archaeologists have discovered around 40 tombs, believed to be approximately 2,300 years old from the period of Greek rule in the region. The team is working to excavate and preserve these sites before rising water levels potentially cover them again.

The drought, described as the driest year in almost a century for Iraq, has reduced water reserves to just 8% of capacity. This shortage is attributed both to climate change and to upstream dams built by Turkey and Iran on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which are vital water sources for Iraq.

Iraq’s drought reveals hidden ancient ruins

A drought that's bringing long-buried history back to the surface. On the banks of Iraq's Mosul reservoir, receding water has revealed previously lost ancient tombs. Fragment by fragment, archaeologists meticulously piece the remains back together before they're sent to a regional museum for further study and preservation. As the water level drops, we expect to find other archaeological sites. This work that we're doing now is very difficult, complex and it takes time. These tombs are about 2,300 years old, dating back to the era when this land was under Greek rule. The archaeologists' aim is to unearth as many as possible before the area is once again submerged. In 2023, about four or five tombs were discovered. But this time, we have discovered about 40 tombs that are currently visible, which we have excavated. While archaeologists are grateful for this new access, the low waterline is evidence of the effects of climate change, which Iraq is feeling particularly harshly. 2025 has been the country's driest year in almost a century. The Ministry of Water Resources has warned water reserves are at only 8% of capacity, a shortage that's also partly attributed to dams constructed by Turkey and Iran upstream on the Tigris and Euphrates, rivers that have been the lifeblood of Iraq for centuries.

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