US security measures threaten Samarra’s heritage
He says that the Inspector of Antiquities at Samarra has confirmed that the berm, created by bulldozing earth into a giant embankment, is complete on the north and east sides of the city, crossing the archaeological area somewhere north of the palace of Sur Isa.
Although he says that it has become increasingly difficult to get accurate reports on the situation in Samarra, Professor Northedge has calculated that, while it may not yet encircle the entire city, the section of berm constructed so far must cut through the Cloverleaf Racecourse, “a unique monument, of which there is no like in the world”, one of three horse-racing courses established in the ninth-century caliphal capital.
He estimates that, depending on its path, the berm has almost certainly cut across the sites of at least two ninth-century palaces, and possibly also a Chalcolithic cemetery.