Vast cemetery in Iraq echoes 14 centuries of life and death

An aerial view shows the Wadi-al-Salam cemetery in Iraq's holy shrine city of Najaf. The cemetery, often described as the world's biggest, bears silent witness to life and death over 14 centuries. Photo: AFP

Tombstones stretch as far as the eye can see across Iraq's Wadi-al-Salam cemetery, often described as the world's biggest, which bears silent witness to life and death over 14 centuries.

Flowers, photographs and religious banners honour many of the millions buried in the ochre desert sands of the "Valley of Peace" - victims of war and disease, accidents and old age.