Archaeologists have successfully located a metropolis established by Alexander the Great in southern Iraq Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark
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All you need to know as forgotten city established by Alexander the Great unearthed
- Archaeologists have at last determined the precise position of a city, founded long ago by Alexander the Great, in the southern region of Iraq.
- The locale, known as ‘Alexandria on the Tigris’, was a prosperous port city that linked ancient Mesopotamia to trade networks in the Persian Gulf. Preliminary reports are hailing the finding as “absolutely stunning”.
- Founded in the fourth century BC, the urban area was one of many ‘Alexandrias’ set up by the Macedonian leader throughout his extensive empire. Unlike the well-known Alexandria in Egypt, this particular location had remained frustratingly undiscovered until now.
- High-definition geophysical surveys and aerial drone images have exposed defensive walls, street patterns, urban districts, and manufacturing zones. Sanctuary complexes, workshops equipped with ovens and kilns, and remnants of a harbour and canal infrastructure have also been revealed.
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- Stefan Hauser, a professor of archaeology at the University of Konstanz, remarked that the standard of evidence is “absolutely stunning”, with the walls of structures visible just beneath the ground and the level of preservation being “surprisingly good”.
- The city’s spread covers roughly 2.5 square miles, rivaling the size of significant capital cities of that period. Initial investigations at the location commenced in the 2010s led by British archaeologists, but advancement was hindered due to conflict and control by extremist groups.
- The discovery offers an unusual glimpse into an ancient metropolis that acted as a vital crossroads for commerce, knowledge, and travelers connecting Mesopotamia and the wider ancient world.
READ THE FULL STORY: Legendary long-lost city of Alexandria has finally been found after thousands of years