World’s Largest Assyrian Lamassu Unearthed at Nineveh’s Nabi Yunus Site

Archaeologists in Iraq have announced the discovery of a colossal Assyrian winged bull in Mosul, measuring nearly six meters in height—making it the largest lamassu ever documented. The statue, dating to the reign of King Esarhaddon (681–669 BCE), was uncovered within the throne hall of his royal palace at Nineveh, one of the empire’s most celebrated capitals.

A Monument to Imperial Power

Lamassu were hybrid creatures—part bull, part eagle, part human—designed to embody both divine protection and royal authority. Positioned at gateways to palaces and temples, they were intended to impress visitors with Assyria’s dominance. The newly uncovered figure, towering over all previously known examples, demonstrates the extraordinary ambition of Esarhaddon’s reign.

By comparison, the most iconic lamassu in the British Museum and the Louvre rarely exceed four meters. Even the monumental specimens from Nimrud remain smaller than the Mosul bull, confirming this as a once-in-a-generation discovery in Near Eastern archaeology.

Excavations and New Insights

The find was announced by Iraq’s Minister of Culture, Ahmed Fakkak al-Badrani, who emphasized its significance for both heritage and tourism. Excavations at Nabi Yunus are being conducted by Iraq’s State Board of Antiquities in partnership with Heidelberg University.

Teams have also recovered cuneiform tablets bearing the names of Assyria’s most prominent kings—Sennacherib, Esarhaddon, and Ashurbanipal—together with artifacts likely taken during military campaigns in Egypt and the Levant. These discoveries provide rare insights into the cultural and political networks of the Neo-Assyrian Empire at its zenith.

Linking Layers of History

The site, buried beneath the modern Prophet Jonah Mosque, carries dual significance: as the throne hall of an Assyrian king and as a revered Islamic landmark. Authorities plan to transform the area into a museum complex, presenting both the Assyrian and Islamic dimensions of Mosul’s past.

If scientific analysis confirms the full scale of the statue, the six-meter lamassu will not only eclipse every known example of Mesopotamian sculpture but also restore Nineveh’s place at the forefront of world heritage.