110. Telul al-Aqr (ancient: Kar Tukulti Ninurta)

Northern Salah Ah Din Governorate. East side of the Tigris, about 85 miles south of Mosul

Dates of Site: 13th century BC

Kar Tikulti-Ninurta was a city built by the Middle Assyrian king, Tikulti-Ninurta I during the 13th century BC. To celebrate his victory over Babylon, Tikulti-Ninurta built a new city on the Tigris and  named it for himself. So this, like Dur Sharrukin, was a completely new foundation. Architectural features included a temple and ziggurat dedicated to the god Ashur and a palace on a terrace, decorated with large scaled mythological friezes and frescos painted in red, white, blue and black. The city was abandoned after his death. Much is yet to be discovered at this fascinating site.

Site assessment: no sign of recent looting as of late 2004.

GoogleEarth satellite view of Kar Tukulti Ninurta (external resource)

See Joanne Farchakh-Bajjaly's site photos of Kar Kukulti Ninurta (2002-2004)