Piecing back together an Iraqi archaeological gem blown sky-high by Isis

The ancient Assyrian city of Kalhu fascinated tourists until extremists set about erasing it because it pre-dates Islam

The shattered ruins of Nimrud say different things to different people. To Sheikh Abdullah Saleh, a custodian of the ancient site until he was chased away by Islamic State extremists two years ago, they represent nothing but destruction and loss.

To Iraqi archaeologist Layla Salih the hulking piles of rock are a big jigsaw puzzle, from which one of the world's most significant ancient sites might be slowly rebuilt.