Archaeological Heritage
Iraq's archaeology, both sites and artefacts, is a treasure for the whole world. The links below give an introduction to the online resources that describe this heritage.
- Archive of archaeological site photographs from Mesopotamia
Maintained by the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago.
- Artefacts from Iraq in the British Museum
Images of objects from the British Museum Iraq collections, chosen because they are similar to objects looted or damaged in the Iraq Museum, Baghdad.
- British School of Archaeology in Iraq
The British School of Archaeology in Iraq is the only body in Britain devoted to research into the ancient civilizations and languages of Mesopotamia. It is currently devoting its resources to assisting in the rebuilding of Iraq’s heritage.
The website includes details of events, fieldwork, grants, and publications, plus a useful collection of links.
- Digitizing Kish
The Chicago Field Museum is embarking on a two-year project that could help bridge cultural and scientific barriers exacerbated by the Iraq war. With the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the museum recently began to study, catalogue and reconcile the scattered but priceless collections of materials from the famous 5,000-year-old archaeological site of Kish, 50 miles south of Baghdad. Kish is one of the world's oldest cities and site of the earliest evidence of wheeled transport.
- Excavations at Nimrud
From the Metropolitan Museum, New York.
- Hatra: UNESCO World Heritage site
The University of Chicago Oriental Institute has a collection of photos of the site. In September 2004 the Archaeological Institute of America expressed concern that US military action was threatening the site.
- Information about Iraqi Museums Collections
From The International Council of Museums. Lists of museums with Iraq collections. Also bibliographical information.
- Iraq Museum International
- Mesopotamia resources
From the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago.
- The Northwest Palace of Ashur-nasir-pal II at Nimrud
From Learning Sites.inc
- UNESCO and Iraq
- Theft and Damage
Iraq's amazing archaeological heritage suffered badly under sanctions, and things got much worse during the invasion and subsequent lawlessness. These links give an indication of the scale of the looting and damage, and an introduction to international efforts to trace stolen artefacts.
- An Archaeologist's Weblog
Very useful, academically-orientated site maintained by Francis Deblauwe.
- Assessment of damage to Libraries and Archives in Iraq (May 2003)
By Graham Shaw at the British Library.
- British Museum Iraq Crisis webpages
Useful site including images, links, and further reading. The BM has been very concerned about the fate of Iraq's archaeological heritage.
- Emergency Red List of Iraqi Antiquities at Risk
- Interpol's Stolen Works of Art page
- IraqCrisis email list
A moderated list for communicating substantive information on cultural property damaged, destroyed or lost from Libraries and Museums in Iraq during and after the war in April 2003, and on the worldwide response to the crisis.
- Lost Treasures From Iraq
A database at the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago.
- SAFE
New York based coalition of academics and archaeologists working together with professionals in advertising and publicity to raise awareness about the world's endangered cultural heritage.
- The 2003- Iraq War & Archaeology
Maintained by archaeologist Francis Deblauwe.
See also An Archaeologist's Weblog.
- The Illicit Antiquities Research Centre
At the University of Cambridge.
- The threat to world heritage in Iraq
News and information during February to May 2003.
- UNESCO Crisis in Iraq
- News reports
- BBC News: 'US troops damage ancient Babylon' (15 Jan 2005)
BBC News report: 'Coalition forces in Iraq have caused irreparable damage to the ancient city of Babylon, the British Museum says.'
- An Archaeologist's Weblog
Very useful, academically-orientated site maintained by Francis Deblauwe.
- The Independent: 'At least 8,000 treasures looted from Iraq museum still untraced' (24 May 2005)
UK national daily newspaper The Independent reports that at least 8000 of the 15000 items looted from the Iraq National Museum in Baghdad still have not been retrieved.
- BBC News: 'US troops damage ancient Babylon' (15 Jan 2005)
- An Archaeologist's Weblog