Receding Euphrates .....

[IamHis]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=102184336

Lots of pictures at the link, along with the full report. Iraq is suffering one of the worst droughts in decades. While this is bad news for farmers, it is good news for archaeologists in the country.

The receding waters of the Euphrates River have revealed ancient archaeological sites, some of which were unknown until now.

What once was an enormous reservoir that stretched as far as the eye could see has shrunk an astonishing 90 percent since summer, officials say.

The river here is only about 3-to-4-feet deep. Sa'ad says strange structures now jut out of the water. He points to what looks like a stone arch that stands crumbling, lapped by muddy waves. He says those aren't the only things archeologists have discovered.

[1master]

WOW! Incredible! I hope they get the funds.

[jayna]

Isn't the banks of the Euphrates suppose to dry up in the prophetic future?

[Musician in His house]

Way cool!! Hope pictures are soon on the way!! Wonder if any prophecy commentators/scholars will comment on this in the future? I'd love to have their take on it!

[1master]

The entire euphrates river is supposed to. Yes. Rev.16:12

[Forte No. 12]

There are also "things" chained down in that river... Lets just say I would never take a boat trip on it.

[Discerning Sheep]

There are also "things" chained down in that river... Lets just say I would never take a boat trip on it.

What "things"?

[ReadytoGoNow]

There are also "things" chained down in that river... Lets just say I would never take a boat trip on it.

O.k. I'll bite.... TELL ME!

[1master]

4 Angels that are going to wipe out a third of mankind. Rev.9:14

[ReadytoGoNow]

Revelation 9:14 (New International Version)
14It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."

Thank you.

[His Bride]

Isn't the banks of the Euphrates suppose to dry up in the prophetic future?

Yes, preparing the way for the Kings of the East to advance.

[Amber Lynne]

The entire euphrates river is supposed to. Yes. Rev.16:12

You beat me to it!

[LookingUplinda]

is it supposed to dry up, or is there a dam on it that will allow the river to just stop flowing?

[Hootmon]

is it supposed to dry up, or is there a dam on it that will allow the river to just stop flowing?

The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east.
(Rev 16:12)

[turtle]

2009 · Iraq is suffering one of the worst droughts in decades. While this is bad news for farmers, it is good news for archaeologists in the country.

The receding waters of the Euphrates River have revealed ancient archaeological sites, some of which were unknown until now.

For Ratib Ali al-Kubaisi, the director of Anbar province's Antiquities Department, the drought has opened up a whole new land of opportunity.

He explains that civilization began in Anbar, next to the Euphrates River.

"Everyone … thought that Anbar was only desert with no historical importance. But we discovered that this area is one of the most important archaeological areas in all of Iraq. This part of Iraq was the first to be settled," he says.

Flooding Covers Sites

In the mid-1980s, Saddam Hussein's government dammed the Euphrates in the area, flooding a 120-mile-long stretch of land near Iraq's border with Syria.

What once was an enormous reservoir that stretched as far as the eye could see has shrunk an astonishing 90 percent since summer, officials say.

Ratib says that at least 75 archeological sites had been partially excavated before the area was flooded. They ran the gamut of civilizations — from 3,000 B.C. to the Sumerian and Roman periods. Ancient Jewish settlements were also submerged in the area. But because of the receding waters, Ratib has been able to access some sites for the first time — including, for instance, a cliff with a series of pre-Christian tombs carved into its face. Though they have been heavily damaged by the water, Ratib says they still have value.

"I wish we could excavate these sites again. If we had the money and the resources, we could complete the work we began all those years ago," he says.

Exciting New Finds

But it's not only previously discovered archaeological sites that the drought has made accessible.

Ratib and a colleague are suddenly excited by something they've seen on this particular day. They kneel next to what looks like an old stone wall, shards of pottery everywhere. Ratib says he believes it is a Roman-era irrigation ditch.

"I've never seen this site before," he says. "When we excavated this area decades ago, this was all buried underneath the soil, but the receding waters uncovered it."

Area Vulnerable To Looters

It's an unexpected discovery, but on the heels of their elation comes concern.

Ratib says he is worried the area will be looted. In all of Anbar, just 10 guards protect vulnerable archaeological sites.

"The area is rich with things. You can find jewelry, coins and documents — all these things are temptations for professional thieves," he says.

Or others who are just struggling to survive.

While the drought has been good for archaeologists, it has been terrible for the fishermen who rely on the Euphrates for their livelihood.

"The river level is very low, it's the lowest it has ever been that we can remember," says fisherman Sa'ad Naji. "It's frightening. The fishermen have no work anymore."

The river here is only about 3-to-4-feet deep. Sa'ad says strange structures now jut out of the water. He points to what looks like a stone arch that stands crumbling, lapped by muddy waves. He says those aren't the only things archeologists have discovered.

"About a year ago when the waters started to recede, these artifacts began to show up. We began looking around the area, and we found clay jars and old bones, coins and even some gold jewelry," he says.

For now, he says, the looting is confined to mostly local people who don't know the value of what they've taken.

Money Another Challenge

Back on shore, Ratib says excitedly he will ask Baghdad's central government for money to begin new excavations and to protect the sites.

"I will demand that we rescan the whole area. And if they have the budget, we will start work on it immediately," he says.

But he acknowledges there will probably not be enough money. If we can't excavate, he says ruefully, we can at least announce our new discoveries.



Rev 9:14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
Things are really happening folks

[openmyeyes]

How very exciting! Thank you so much for posting this article.

[WickIsTrimmed]

Yes, very nice article

[Brooklyn]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

[I Believe!!!]

Isn't there some prophecy in the bible about the Euphrates river drying up?

[Caver]

Isn't there some prophecy in the bible about the Euphrates river drying up?

Yep, so the huge army can pass through....but I think its a little early in the time line for that.....I think...