Threats to Iraq's Heritage

Posted by Natasha Sheldon Aug 17, 2008

Iraq's ancient monuments may not be under threat from looting anymore but recent war damage coupled with lack of funding for restoration mean that the country’s Mesopotamian past could crumble away from neglect.

An International group of scholars recently visited 8 sites within a 200 mile radius of Bagdad and reported that looting is significantly down since 2003. Reasons given are more effective security from the Iraqi Facilities Protection Service and also local tribes who have taken it upon themselves to guard the sites.

However, sites such as Ur which were targets for bombing not only in 2003 but during the Gulf War are in serious danger of collapse. The Kassite temple next to the famous ziggurat and the royal tombs are beginning to crumble because damage inflicted during the Gulf War has not been addressed. The activities of coalition forces around the ancient city have simply made a bad situation worse, eroding and damaging the site further. Funding and attention are what these sites urgently need if they are to survive.