Arthur finds himself immersed in the remnants of Nineveh in 1872, surrounded by the decayed ruins of once-proud structures now pillaged and broken by time and human interference. As he oversees a team of thirty laborers, Arthur is deeply troubled by the grueling conditions they face beneath the relentless heat of the sun. Their labor, marked by the constant sound of shovels digging into the earth, is a rhythm that never stops, reminding Arthur of the weight of their work and the dwindling resources that could soon prevent them from continuing. During the heat of the day, when the sun’s rays grow unbearable, he retreats to his tent, where, despite the oppressive environment, he remains determined to study the ancient cuneiform tablets he has uncovered, believing that these pieces of history could unlock secrets that had been lost to time.

As he dives deeper into his research, Arthur makes an unexpected discovery—the remnants of an ancient boatyard, hidden beneath the dry earth. This surprising find suggests that what was once a bustling trade center, full of life and activity, now lies in desolation and abandonment. Arthur is struck by the irony of it all—this area, once a thriving hub, now suffers from the ravages of time and neglect. He reflects on the significance of this region, particularly the early findings at Ashurbanipal’s palace, where tablets, important to the study of ancient civilizations, were overshadowed by the more visually striking statues. These finds were neglected because they lacked the immediate glamour of sculptures, illustrating how certain types of knowledge and heritage were lost in the frenzy to preserve and display more glamorous artifacts.

Further exploration leads Arthur to learn that many of the artifacts from previous excavations were carelessly handled and damaged due to the chaotic rush of archaeologists eager to claim their finds. The intense rivalry between the British and French excavation teams, each desperate to secure Mesopotamian treasures, only exacerbated the situation, with both sides hurriedly attempting to ship their discoveries back to Europe. This reckless pursuit of artifacts culminated in a tragic incident where an attack on a transport ship resulted in the loss of priceless items, which sank into the Tigris River, forever lost to the depths. This heartbreaking event emphasizes the fragility of historical treasures and highlights the dangers faced by those attempting to retrieve them, making Arthur acutely aware of the potential destruction that can accompany the pursuit of ancient knowledge.

As Arthur reflects on these events, a sense of humility and confusion washes over him. He becomes more aware of the fleeting nature of civilizations, realizing that no matter how mighty or advanced they may have been, every society leaves behind a legacy of pain and brutality, hidden beneath its triumphs. These realizations become even more poignant during his visits to a nearby Yazidi village, where Arthur, now deeply connected to the community, finds solace in the relationships he builds with its people. He becomes particularly drawn to Leila, a faqra, whose stories and music captivate him with their depth and emotional resonance. These moments with Leila draw Arthur away from his scholarly pursuits, pulling him into a world defined not by written texts but by the oral tradition that has kept the Yazidi culture alive for centuries. Through Leila’s tales of water, which are central to their cultural identity, Arthur begins to see the profound connection between the Yazidis and the land they inhabit. These nightly encounters offer him more than just an intellectual curiosity—they allow him to feel a deep and spiritual connection to a culture that, though different from his own, shares similar human struggles and aspirations.

Arthur’s engagement with the Yazidi community and Leila’s stories begins to change the way he views his own work. No longer focused solely on the recovery of artifacts for intellectual or scholarly gain, Arthur becomes more attuned to the cultural significance behind these treasures and the living history they represent. His time with Leila and the Yazidi villagers shapes his perspective on archaeology, leading him to consider not just what is lost in the past, but what continues to thrive in the present. The connections he forms with the people of the village enrich his understanding of both ancient and contemporary life, offering him a broader view of history’s cyclical nature.