Climate may have contributed to end one of Antiquity’s most powerful civilizations

Republication from  phys.org/

New research suggests it was climate-related drought that built the foundation for the collapse of the Assyrian Empire (whose heartland was based in today’s northern Iraq)—one of the most powerful civilizations in the ancient world.

Urban plans of Dur Sharrukin, Assyrian metropolis

Plan of the citadel of Dur-Sharrukin (Khorsabad).

City plan of Assur, the Assyrian cradle

Site plan of Assur, the Assyrian cradle

Site Plans of Nineveh, Assyrian Imperial capital

Site Plans of Nineveh, the Assyrian Imperial capital

Nineveh: City wall and gates.

City plans of Kalhu (Nimrud), Assyrian metropolis

Plan of the northwestern palace of Kalhu (Nimrud), one of the ancient Assyrian capitals.