imagery closely resembles the iconography of the dress and adornment of a Neo-Assyrian queen, suggesting the crown originated in Assyria. Stamp Seal The stamp seal that identifies Queen Hama with its inscription šá míḫa-ma-a munuS.é.GaL šá mšul-man- maš man kur aš kal!-lat mu-érin.daḫ, translating to “Belonging to Hama, queen of Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, daughter-in-law of Adad-nerari.” Spurrier describes the stamp seal as “depict[ing] a female worshipper, most likely the queen herself, standing piously before a seated goddess.” The goddess sits on a throne next to an animal and in front of an enlarged scorpion. The animal was originally interpreted as a dog, and then reinterpreted as a lion. This change would reidentify the goddess not as previously believed Gula, but as the prominent Neo-Assyrian goddess who married the god Ashur, Mullissu. Three more stamp seals and two cylinder seals were also found with Queen Hama. Tomb IV Tomb IV was extensively robbed, so only a few objects, dress pieces, and jewelry remained. Because of this, the tomb cannot be used to directly identify Neo-Assyrian burial practices. However, the surviving elements mirrored the other queenly tombs. Objects: (All item Titles taken directly taken from Hussein's list; see Hussein's list for detailed descriptions and findspots.) Silver Bowls Stamp Seals Jewelry Mirror Ceramic Items Textile Destruction of the tombs On April 11, 2015, ISIL released a graphic video of the purposeful demolition of art, sculpture, carvings, and architecture at the ancient historical site of Nimrud using hand tools, power tools, and explosives. Video analyses reveal that the destruction took place over multiple different events. Images show the pile of destroyed Neo-Assyrian relief panels could have existed as early as March 7, 2015. The detonation of the Northwest Palace did not occur until after April 1, 2015. Satellite imagery confirms the destruction and leveling of this ancient palace. UNESCO described the destruction of Nimrud as a “war crime.” The damage and destruction of history is the purposeful erasure of Iraqi cultural heritage. ISIL condemned Nimrud for its pre-Islamic, idolatrous imagery and architecture, and has destroyed other Iraqi and Syrian historical sites. Since the catastrophic bombing of Nimrud in 2015, the survival of the excavated Queen's Tombs is not confirmed. References 9th-century BC in Assyria 8th-century BC in Assyria Buildings and structures completed in the 9th century BC Buildings and structures completed in the 8th century BC 1988 archaeological discoveries Buildings and structures demolished