{
  "id": 4086908,
  "title": "Seven ancient Parthian tombs unearthed in Iraq’s Kurdistan region amid survey of 6,500 sites",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/seven-ancient-parthian-tombs-unearthed-in-iraqs-kurdistan-region-amid",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-29T02:54:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-906907"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seven ancient tombs from the Parthian Empire, dating back over 2,000 years, were unearthed in Iraq's Kurdistan region in a recent archaeological survey, according to local media. The discoveries were made in the Khazna area, situated along a new road connecting Erbil and Koya, during an excavation conducted between late April and late June. The headless figurine of a pregnant woman, alongside bracelets, earrings, and cosmetic items, were found inside one of the tombs, according to Muhammad Lashkri, director of antiquities and heritage affairs in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The artifacts are currently being stored at the antiquities and heritage directorate in Koya. The Parthian Empire, also known as the Arsacid Empire, thrived in ancient Iran from 247 BCE to 224 CE, stretching from central-eastern Turkey to present-day Afghanistan and western Pakistan. Lashkri revealed that since 2009, approximately 6,500 archaeological sites have been recorded across more than half of the Kurdistan region, with the assistance of foreign archaeological teams. Despite the extensive exploration, only around 45% of the sites have been identified and documented, mainly due to political issues and the presence of sites in disputed territories. The use of advanced technology, including geographic information systems (GIS) and satellite imagery, has helped accurately identify 75% of the sites. Foreign archaeological missions from various countries, including France, Germany, the UK, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Japan, and Harvard University, have been surveying and excavating the region. However, the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States has prevented some teams from returning, with the majority, ranging from 25 to 35 missions, unable to continue their work. Lashkri emphasized the need to transform these ancient landmarks into a source of tourism revenue, by improving documentation and establishing long-term heritage management databases in the region.",
  "summary": "\"One of the [tombs] contained a clay coffin with a small headless figurine of a pregnant woman,\" Muhammad Lashkri, director of antiquities and heritage affairs in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Seven Parthian tombs, over 2,000 years old, discovered in Iraq's Kurdistan region",
    "Tombs found in Khazna area during excavation from late April to late June",
    "Artifacts, including figurine and jewelry, stored at Koya's antiquities directorate"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The discovery of the Parthian tombs advances Iraq's Kurdistan region's documentation of its heritage sites, but also highlights the challenges in preserving and utilizing these sites for tourism due to ongoing conflict and political issues.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}