Skip to main content

Prized Lion of Babylon joins list of crumbling Iraqi antiquities

The ancient Lion of Babylon, Iraq’s national symbol, is critically threatened by erosion and neglect.
RTXLXH1.jpg
Read in 

BABYLON, Iraq — The statue of the Lion of Babylon stands in the ancient city of Babylon, south of Baghdad, founded in 1880 B.C.

The statue was uncovered in 1876 by a German archaeological mission. Some initially suggested that the statue, more than 4,000 years old, was built by the Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 B.C.), though others now believe it was a Hittite creation.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.