History Into Dust: ISIL Demolishes Ancient City of Nimrud

The recent video posted online appears to show ISIL militants smashing artfacts in the ancient Assyrian city before blowing up the site.

The Islamic State militants have released recent footage of how they are continuing the destruction of ancient cities and treasures across Iraq, targeting the city of Nimrud in particularly.

Nimrud was founded in the 13th century BC and contains one of the most famous archaeological sites in the history of a country often described as the cradle of civilization. It is UNESCO’s world heritage site as well.

The recent video posted online by ISIL shows the militants smashing the artefacts with sledge hammers and then blowing up the site in the ancient Assyrian city.

In the jihadists' view, statues, idols and shrines are objects of worships other than God and hence, must be destroyed.

The city of Nimrud was looted and damaged by US troops during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Most of Nimrud's most valuable artefacts were relocated long ago to museums in Mosul, Baghdad, Paris, London and elsewhere but giant "lamassu" statues — winged bulls with human heads — and reliefs were still on site.