The Treasure of Nimrud

The Treasure of Nimrud consists of a hoard of 613 spectactular ancient gold and jewels. The Royal Tombs of Nimrud were first discovered in 1989. The Tomb was located in the Palace of the Ancient city of Kalkhu (modern city of Nimrud).

The city of Kalkhu was a capital of the Assyrian Empire for over 150 years until King Sargon moved the capital to Dur-Sharukin (modern Khorshabad) in 717 B.C.

Assyrian tombs have been found in the past but virtually all were plundered in antiquity. The sarcophagus in the tomb contained hundreds of items, untouched for ages.

The priceless treasures belonged to royalty from 744BC to 704BC. The treasure of Nimrud survived 2,800 years buried in northern Iraq. It then spent 12 years in a vault. It was uncertain if it had survived Saddam Hussein, U.S. missile strikes, looters, a flood and grenade attacks. The treasure was found intact in the basement of a bombed out central bank building in 2011.

The treasures belonged to: Yaba, Queen of Tiglathpileser III, king of Assyria 744-727, Banitu, Queen of Shalmanasser V, king of Assyria 726-722 and Atalia, Queen of Sargon II, king of Assyria 721-705.