Thousand-year-old vases found by Erbil construction workers

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Thousand-year-old vases have been found by builders in Erbil. 

Construction workers at Shawes settlement uncovered the artefacts, which archaeologists say date back 1,700 years.

Another site of interest lies nearby. 

"Some of the evidence shows that humans lived here more than 8,000 years ago. The location we’re working in is more than 100 away from the centre of a hill up there. We might find evidence from all periods of history there," said archaeology project manager Rafiq Rasool. 

Although Erbil’s archaeology directorate has recognized the location as an archaeological site, a lack of coordination between the directorates has led to the construction of projects in the area.

"I want to send a message to all of those who have construction projects, both in the public and private sector, not to touch any archaeological sites without us, because when start digging, we lose a lot that we cannot get back," said directorate head Nadir Babakir. 

Translation and video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed