The Department of Antiquities in Duhok, within the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, announced on Monday the discovery of an archaeological site within the basin of the Tigris River. This discovery, made possible due to the receding water levels, includes a palace, several buildings, and a large stone wall.
Iraq is currently facing an unprecedented drought. This crisis stems from Iran’s construction of multiple dams on the tributaries of the Tigris River and the diversion of other tributaries, coupled with large-scale dam projects in Turkey. These developments, along with insufficient rainfall, have led to the drying up of lakes and a significant decline in the levels of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
The director of the Department of Antiquities in Duhok, Bekas Brevkani, stated, “A joint team of archaeologists from Kurdistan and Germany discovered an ancient city within the Tigris River basin. This city dates back to the Mitanni Empire (1400 BCE).”
In his statements to the press, Brevkani explained that the drought in Iraq caused a decrease in the water level of the Mosul Dam lake, resulting in the discovery of this ancient city. He speculated that the discovered city might be the same one mentioned in Babylonian texts, named Zakhiku. The city features a palace, many buildings and rooms, and a significant wall. The team is currently analyzing cuneiform texts found at the site to confirm its identity.
Brevkani also noted, “The findings indicate that this city was a major cultural center of the Mitanni Empire between 1550 and 1350 BCE.”
Iraqi archaeologist Ali Al-Hamdani added, in a statement to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper, that the site had been identified years ago in the Tigris River but high water levels previously prevented excavation. He mentioned that archaeologists had published reports confirming the presence of submerged artifacts in the river.
Al-Hamdani emphasized, “It is crucial to take advantage of this unfortunate event—marked by a water scarcity crisis—to study the site and extract significant artifacts before the Tigris River waters rise again, especially with the upcoming snowmelt season in Turkey, expected in July.”
The Prophet Muhammad Foretold the Recession of the Euphrates
In parallel, the receding water levels of the Euphrates River—Syria’s largest river—have sparked significant discussion on social media. Many have linked the phenomenon to the signs of the Hour as foretold by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in numerous hadiths narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) foretold that among the signs of the Hour is the recession of the Euphrates, which would reveal a mountain of gold. People would fight over this treasure, leading to widespread bloodshed. In a hadith narrated by Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The Hour will not come until the Euphrates uncovers a mountain of gold, over which people will fight. Ninety-nine out of every hundred will be killed, and every man among them will say, ‘Perhaps I may be the only one to remain alive.’” (Sahih Muslim)
Similarly, Al-Bukhari narrated another hadith from Abu Huraira: “The Euphrates is about to uncover a treasure of gold. Whoever is present at that time should not take anything from it.”
Is the “Mountain of Gold” Referring to Oil?
Some scholars have suggested that the “mountain of gold” might symbolize oil (black gold). However, Abu Ubaiah, in his commentary on Al-Nihaya fil Fitan by Ibn Kathir, refuted this interpretation for several reasons:
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- The hadith explicitly mentions a “mountain of gold,” and oil is not literally gold.
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- The Prophet (peace be upon him) described the river’s water receding to reveal a visible “mountain of gold,” whereas oil is extracted from deep beneath the earth using machinery.
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- The hadith specifically refers to the Euphrates, while oil is extracted from various locations worldwide, including seas and other rivers.
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- The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against taking anything from this treasure, citing the risk of conflict, as stated in a narration by Ubayy ibn Ka’b: “People will continue to chase worldly gains… I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: ‘The Euphrates is about to uncover a mountain of gold. Whoever is present at that time should not take anything from it.’” (Sahih Muslim)
The discoveries and events surrounding the receding waters of the Tigris and Euphrates serve as stark reminders of the prophecies foretold by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They underscore the importance of adhering to Islamic teachings and being cautious of worldly temptations that may lead to discord and strife. These signs call upon Muslims to strengthen their faith and prepare for the Hereafter.
