Archaeologists working in a remote high-altitude region of the Zagros Mountains have unearthed a remarkably preserved Neo-Assyrian sanctuary dedicated specifically to celestial observation. The site, dating back to the 8th century BCE, features a series of open-air limestone platforms aligned with the rising of specific constellations, alongside a specialized archive room containing over 400 cuneiform tablets.
The recovered tablets provide a detailed log of celestial phenomena, including what researchers believe are the earliest recorded observations of a specific meteorite shower. These records suggest that Assyrian priests were not only tracking planetary movements for astrological purposes but were also maintaining a systematic 'registry of falling stars' to predict divine favor or impending droughts. The discovery of bronze sighting tubes and clay models of the night sky further confirms the site's role as a sophisticated center for ancient Mesopotamian astronomy.