A large number of written texts—clay tablets written using the cuneiform script in the languages of Akkadian and Sumerian—document the complexity and range of Assyrian imperial affairs and accomplishments. There is extensive, active research on these texts by scholars today, which can be accessed through a number of project sites, including here and here. For further detailed information, check out this site and this one.

Archaeologists from the British Museum have also excavated hundreds of thousands of texts from King Ashurbanipal’s library. Click here to find out more.

The impressive architectural and artistic remains further attest to the technical and creative skills of the ancient Assyrian artists, who were supported in their creative endeavors by the Assyrian royal court. Many of these monuments and art works are now in museums and can be accessed here and here.

There are also several virtual reality projects currently working to provide 3D reconstructions of ancient Assyrian buildings and cities.

The cultural heritage of Iraq and Syria have been seriously threatened in recent years by political events. This includes important Assyrian sites, such as Nimrud and Nineveh near Mosul in northern Iraq. This is an ongoing and developing situation. For some overviews and discussion see here and here.

The looting of the Iraq Museum in April 2003 also caused an international crisis. To study the objects from the Iraq Museum, click here.

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