The original city of Dur-Sharrukin was destroyed long ago, about 706 BC when Sargon II was killed in battle. His remains were not recovered and it was the belief then that this was a sign of divine disfavor and that Sargon would be doomed to wander eternally as an angry ghost. The whole place was therefore abandoned and the capitol moved to Ninevah. The ruins were discovered and excavated in the 19th century. What was left was destroyed again by ISIS, along with many other antiquities. Are you sure this is Dur-Sharrukin? Not a modern tourist replica or restored bit? Where did this picture come from?
The original city of Dur-Sharrukin was destroyed long ago, about 706 BC when Sargon II was killed in battle. His remains were not recovered and it was the belief then that this was a sign of divine disfavor and that Sargon would be doomed to wander eternally as an angry ghost. The whole place was therefore abandoned and the capitol moved to Ninevah. The ruins were discovered and excavated in the 19th century. What was left was destroyed again by ISIS, along with many other antiquities. Are you sure this is Dur-Sharrukin? Not a modern tourist replica or restored bit? Where did this picture come from?
https://www.worldhistory.org/Dur-Sharrukin/