Latest news with #Neo-Assyrian
Rudaw Net
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq recovers over 35,000 relics in effort to restore ISIS-destroyed Nimrud
Also in Iraq Iraq arrests over 700 foreign workers in Baghdad YBS slams Iraqi army for labeling their fighters 'terrorists' ISIS suicide bomber detonates near army position in north Iraq Iraqi army arrests five after clashes with PKK-affiliated group in Shingal A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Efforts are underway to rebuild the ancient city of Nimrud in northern Iraq which was destroyed by the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2015, Iraq's culture minister told Rudaw on Sunday. 'More than 35 thousand archeological pieces have been recovered,' Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani said, noting that a 'scientific approach' is being used to identify both damaged and intact artifacts for preservation. In June 2014, ISIS launched an all-out offensive in northern and western Iraq, seizing large swathes of territory, including the city of Mosul in Nineveh province, which the group declared as the capital of its proclaimed Caliphate between Iraq and Syria. During its rule, ISIS targeted ancient sites, including Nimrud, for destruction. Citing idolatry, ISIS militants in March 2015 destroyed numerous relics in the ancient city, including cuneiform tablets and statues, using sledgehammers and power tools before demolishing the entire city with large explosions, claiming it was 'un-Islamic.' Iraqi forces recaptured the ancient city in late 2016. The destruction of Nimrud city drew widespread condemnation, with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) calling it a 'war crime'. Badrani on Sunday stated that Baghdad has yet to 'determine the number of artifacts stolen' during the ISIS attacks on Nimrud. The culture minister additionally confirmed the involvement of international experts in recovering the stolen pieces and praised the 'enthusiasm and dedication' of the archaeological teams working on-site, calling their efforts 'uplifting.' Located 32 km south of Mosul and 360 km north of Baghdad, Nimrud was the capital of the Assyrian Empire between approximately 1250 BC and 610 BC during the reign of Ashurnasirpal II in the 9th century BC. In addition to being a significant political center, the city was known for its grand palace, intricate stone carvings, and monumental sculptures, showcasing the architectural and artistic achievements of the Neo-Assyrian period, according to UNESCO. For his part, Ali Ismail, who works at Nineveh Antiquities and Heritage Office, told Rudaw on Sunday that the artifacts are being extracted with 'utmost precision and caste to avoid causing any damage.' He noted that the work is progressing slowly due to the risk of 'explosive devices and barrel bombs at the site' that might still be at the site. 'However, despite the hardships our goal is to retrieve the largest number of artifacts possible so that we can begin rebuilding the grand palace in the next phase,' Ismail said.
Shafaq News
06-03-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Iraq to display recovered artifacts in secure museum halls
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has directed the allocation of fortified exhibition halls to preserve and display recovered antiquities, including artifacts previously stored at the Central Bank of Iraq and others recently repatriated from abroad. On Thursday, al-Sudani visited the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad, where he inaugurated an exhibition showcasing artifacts retrieved by the government from several countries. As part of his tour, al-Sudani inspected the museum's storage facilities, which house the famed Nimrud Treasure and other valuable antiquities that had been held at the Central Bank since the 1990s. The artifacts were transferred to the museum two days ago and will be displayed in a specially designed hall to ensure their preservation and accessibility to the public. Al-Sudani reaffirmed the government's commitment to safeguarding Iraq's cultural heritage, emphasizing the 'historical significance of Mesopotamian civilizations, which have contributed to human progress for thousands of years.' He also sought to counter speculation about the disappearance or loss of these treasures, particularly the Nimrud Treasure. 'Artifacts previously stored at the Central Bank will be exhibited in high-security halls with advanced preservation standards, enabling both local and international visitors to view them,' the prime minister said, stressing the need to enhance the museum's infrastructure to attract global interest and highlight Iraq's stability. The Nimrud Treasure, a collection of gold jewelry and ornaments inlaid with precious stones, dates back to the Neo-Assyrian period (911–612 BCE). Other notable artifacts include the statue of Gudea, ruler of the ancient Sumerian city-state of Lagash (2144–2124 BCE), a bronze mask representing King Sargon of Akkad (2370–2230 BCE), and various significant objects. Meanwhile, the recently recovered artifacts—retrieved from the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and Jordan—span various periods of Iraq's ancient history. These include more than 6,000 cuneiform tablets, inscribed cones, stone slabs, cylinder seals, diverse coinage, figurines, a stone stela, and a collection of cuneiform texts from the Old Babylonian period. Also among the recovered items are Mandaean scrolls, ivory carvings, gold vessels in the Assyrian style, ceramic plaques, and significant artifacts from the Royal Cemetery of Ur.
