Nimrud was a major Assyrian city between approximately 1350 BC and 610 BC.

The ruins of the city were found within one kilometre of the modern-day Assyrian village of Noomanea near Nineveh, Iraq.

The ruins of Nimrud have been under attack in the past years, but now they are protected.

Nimrud has been one of the main sources of Assyrian sculpture, including the famous palace reliefs. Layard discovered more than half a dozen pairs of colossal guardian figures guarding palace entrances and doorways. 

These guardians are Lamassu, statues with a male human head, the body of a lion or bull, and wings.

Credits to: Archaeological Nimrud Rescue Project