GHF Iraq Heritage Congress Proceedings

Master Conservation Planning Training and Capacity-Building for Archaeological Conservators, Site Inspectors and Regional Antiquities Directors

In partnership with the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities, Iraq Ministry of Culture, Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago Co-Sponsored by The World Bank

Summary

On June 12-22nd, 2004, Global Heritage Fund (GHF) and The World Bank co-sponsored the Iraq Heritage Congress at Petra Archaeological Park in Jordan to begin a structured multi-year process of master conservation planning for high-priority endangered archaeological and world heritage sites in Iraq.

The Iraq Heritage Congress proved to be a timely and critical gathering of thirty leading archaeological regional and site directors, inspectors, architects, engineers, conservators and site museum leaders from throughout Iraq.  The delegates from Iraq completed five master conservation plan outlines out of the sixteen potential world heritage sites identified as high priorities for conservation and development by the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities.

Based on the master conservation planning, prioritization and recommendations for these five Iraq Heritage sites developed during the Congress, Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Ministry of Culture and Tourism now have a lasting framework for the development of professional site management planning and conservation of major archaeological and heritage sites in Iraq.

GHF Master Conservation Planning Guidelines

I. Significance and Universal Value
II. Site Analysis and Scientific, Historic and Architectural Survey
III. Threats and Condition Assessment

1. IV. Conservation and Excavation History
2. V. Current Uses and Facilities, Tourism Assets

VI. Archaeological Excavation and Research
VII. Site and Regional Conservation Plan
VIII. Cultural Resource Management

1. IX. Authenticity and Appropriate Treatment
2. X. Conservation Priorities and Milestones

XI. Regional Planning, Land Use and Legal Status
XII. Community Involvement, Private Enterprise and Economic Development
XIII. Sustainable Tourism Planning and Economic Opportunities

XIV. Stakeholder Approvals and Funding Strategy

Key Conclusions

A Decade of Isolation

Neglect and Lack of Funding Causing Major Loss

Most archaeological sites in Iraq, except for the major reconstruction work at Babylon and Hatra, have seen their conservation funding dry up in the past two decades, with almost no funding available for emergency intervention or on-going maintenance, causing a serious deterioration across the country. 

Due to devaluation of the currency, the State Board of Antiquities suffered a major loss of real funding, leading to the departure of experts in archaeology and heritage conservation over the past twenty years of war, invasion, and embargo.  Despite valiant efforts of many individuals, the overall organizational capacity has been depleted from what was once one of the world’s most esteemed departments of antiquities and museums.

Looting is Devastating World-Class Sites Across the South

Above: Thousands of looter’s trenches at Farwa. Below: Complete destruction of ancient walls for construction materials at Katakilti-Ninurta. Photos courtesy of Joanne Farchakh.

Archaeological sites in Iraq are being devastated by looting and uncontrolled encroachment, accelerated by the instability and lack of central and provincial government control.  The loosening of government control, especially in southern Iraq, created a situation in which archaeological sites could be looted in remote areas during the 1990s.  This looting stands in stark contrast to the complete banning of illegal digging and smuggling that had been a characteristic of Iraq for more than half a century. Emergency funding in the late 1990s allowed the State Board of Antiquities to stop looting at several sites.  

The fall of the Saddam regime in April, 2003, signaled an explosion of looting, with hundreds of men descending on sites, especially those that had been salvaged by the State Board’s work.  The looting continues, and many important Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonian sites are now virtually destroyed.  These include the ancient capitals of Adab, Umma, Shuruppak, Isin, and Larsa, all of which are among Iraq’s most important sites and have been the focus of major foreign or Iraqi expeditions.  The flow of illegal artifact out of Iraq has had a profound effect on the international market, depressing prices so low for the antiquities of neighboring countries that there has been a slowdown of illegal looting there. 

A complete report of the looting of Iraqi archaeological sites is included in this Congress Proceedings- see The Bleeding of Mesopotamia: Looting of Iraq, a report by Joanne Farchakh, correspondent to Acheologia magazine, presented to the Congress and a summary of documented evidence and photographs of looting of archaeological sites across Iraq.

Congress Proceedings
June 15-22, 2004

Major Current Issues in Protection of Iraq Heritage

The Congress participants identified a number of urgent issues impacting heritage protection and conservation:

Above: Iraq Heritage Congress held in Petra Archaeology Park in Jordan provided a week-long workshop to development Master Conservation Plans for five of Iraq’s most endangered archaeological and world heritage sites.

1. Lack of Enforcement and Looting Eradication – the coalition military has had few resources for deploying forces to protect the Southern Sector from looting. Since April 2003, looting has accelerated with no government control outside major cities.
2.  Urgent Intervention Needed - the Minaret of Mosel and the site of Ctesiphon, are rapidly deteriorating and both potentially will collapse in the coming years without immediate intervention.
3.  Military Based on Archaeological Sites – At Ctesiphon, daily take off and landings by large military aircraft based at Rashid Camp nearby, are shaking the structure and accelerating its collapse. The second largest U.S. airbase in Iraq is encroaching on the site of Ur with new buildings and road construction within the archaeological core areas.  The Polish have turned Babylon into a military camp with numerous trenches and roadways, barracks and other construction occurring within the core archaeological area.
4.  Vandalism of Sites and Theft of Artifacts, Roofing, Fencing and Signage-Almost all materials of any value have been removed from the sites in Iraq exposing delicate sculptures, mosaics, paintings and archaeology to the elements. Local villagers have hauled off roofing, bricks and stones in truckloads from Nimrud and other archaeology sites for construction materials.
5.  The State Board of Antiquities has limited skilled personnel at this time- architects, civil engineers, conservators and specialists are needed to manage multiple sites across the country. At current staffing levels, there is only enough experts and archaeologists to manage 1-2 major site restorations per year. There is critical need to reinforce human capital in this area.

Iraq Heritage Congress June 15-22nd, 2004 - Beginning a Structured Framework and Process for Iraq Heritage Conservation

On June 12-22nd, 2004, Global Heritage Fund (GHF) and The World Bank co-sponsored the Iraq Heritage Congress at Petra Archaeological Park in Jordan to begin a structured multi-year process of master conservation planning for high-priority endangered sites in Iraq. This five-stage program will provide critical acceleration of technical expertise, site management planning and conservation science for the immediate intervention to save many of Iraq’s most important and endangered archaeological and world heritage sites.
The Iraq Heritage Congress proved to be a timely and critical gathering of thirty leading archaeological regional and site directors, inspectors, architects, engineers, conservators and site museum leaders from throughout Iraq.  The delegates from Iraq completed five master conservation plan outlines out of the sixteen potential world heritage sites identified as high priorities for conservation and development by the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities.
Based on the master conservation planning, prioritization and recommendations for Iraq Heritage sites developed during the Congress, Iraq’s State Board of Antiquities and Ministry of Culture and Tourism now have a lasting framework for the development of professional site management planning and conservation of major archaeological and heritage sites in Iraq.

Iraq Heritage Conservation Program Primary Archaeological and World Heritage Sites

A Plan of Action

Above: Dr. Donny George reviewing Master Conservation Plan guidelines with Iraq Site Inspectors and Archaeologists. Below: Dr. McGuire Gibson reviews the destruction from lootings of Iraq sites from Joanne Farchakh five trips to Iraq since the war.

Above: Dr. Martha S. Joukowsky, Professor of old World Archaeology and Art of Brown University gives a tour of the Great Temple excavation and best practices in conservation at Petra. Below: Mr. Pierre Bikai, Director of the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) reviews the history of excavation and world-class conservation of the Petra Church completed over the past eight years.

Above: Mr. Director of Petra Archaeology Park explains the history of Petra’s conservation and site management. Below: Mr. Abdul Amir Mayeh Madhi, Director and Inspector of Antiquities of Nasiriya reviews the Master Conservation Plan for Ur, one of Iraq’s oldest and important Sumerian sites.

The Congress resulted in five (5) completed Master Conservation Plan outlines developed by three teams of Iraqi archaeologists, site inspectors and regional directors. The sites were selected by the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities for their significance and universal value, level of endangerment and urgency, and potential for tourism development.

Global Heritage Fund introduced Master Conservation Planning and provides a structured training and workshop on the Burra Charter of conservation using examples of master planning at other GHF sites and English Heritage examples of world-class planning for Stonehenge and Hadrian’s Wall.

Based on these MCP outlines, Global Heritage Fund will work closely with the designated site directors, planners, archaeologists, architects and engineers to complete formal Master Conservation Plans for each selected site for approval and funding by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Iraq.  GHF is committing immediate funding, experts and technology towards this goal.

Based on the Congress Declarations, GHF, the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and the Oriental Institute will work together over the coming two years to complete world-class Site Management Plans for five (5) of the highest priority world heritage sites and nominations, and provide co-funding for two or three archaeological model site conservations based on the priorities established in the planning process. As well, GHF will work in partnership with other conservation agencies and funders to help ensure the highest standards of excellence and science are deployed in Iraq for conservation of archaeological and world heritage sites. Master Conservation Plans developed in this process will help form the basis of formal designation by UNESCO World Heritage for enhanced protection and international support.

GHF’s board of directors and Technical Advisory Committee will select specific high-priority conservation initiatives in partnership with the State Board of Antiquities based on these approved Master Conservation Plans for funding and a multi-year program of training, conservation, tourism development and advocacy.

A Joint Strategy for Iraq Heritage Conservation

Global Heritage Fund and the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities have agreed to a multiyear partnership for master conservation planning and capacity-building for site inspectors, regional directors and their staff over the next two years for completion and approvals of the highest-priority site plans and to provide a model for planning for all major archaeological sites with high potential for tourism in Iraq.

Global Heritage Fund’s goal over the coming two years is to work closely with the Department of Iraq Antiquities and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to complete world-class Site Management Plans for five (5) of the highest priority world heritage sites and nominations, and provide co-funding for two or three archaeological site conservations based on the priorities established in the planning process. 

As well, GHF will work in partnership with other conservation agencies and funders to help ensure the highest standards of excellent and science are deployed in Iraq for conservation of world heritage. These site management plans will also help form the basis of formal designation by UNESCO World Heritage for enhanced protection and international support.

The three teams formed for the Congress for the Northern, Central and Southern sectors will return to Baghdad and continue to complete plans for each of the five selected sites, integrating new team members and working towards approval of the Hatra World Heritage master plan.

Other Current Iraqi Initiatives

Under the leadership of Dr. Donny George of the National Museum and the State Board of Antiquities, Iraq is mobilizing to bring together a world-class team of managers, engineers, architects, conservation specialists and site directors to lead protection and conservation of major sites in Iraq.

Based on the initiative, vision and capacity for leadership demonstrated at the Iraq Heritage Congress and over the past year dealing with the crisis at the Iraq National Museum and across the country, Iraq promises to quickly be able to regain its former preeminence and leading role in the world.  To this end, a number of recent initiatives should be noted:

• National budgets have been submitted and will likely be approved for $15 and $20 million for site restoration and excavation and research expected in 2005, respectively, excluding foreign funding. This will be used for salaries and training of the State Board of Antiquities.
• The Department is already well organized with Regional Inspectors in place in all provinces. In most cases, these inspectors are responsible for 4-5 major sites, and hundreds of archaeological sites. In some cases, large provinces have on 2-3 staff and 10 guards for an entire region.
• Numerous interventions have been undertaken in the past six months and conservation projects are being planned for sites and museums across the country by the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities including conservation of Hatra, the stabilization of Ctesiphon and restoration of the Iraq National Museums. 
•  Under a grant from the Packard Humanities Institute through the U.S. Department of State, over 1,400 additional special FPS (Facilities Protection System) police will by the be deployed by the State Board of Antiquities beginning July 1st outfitted with vehicles and communications gear for site patrols and policing. As well, the Packard Humanities Institute has provided critical funding for computers, software and networking for the State Board of Antiquities under a program led by Professor John Russell in Baghdad.
•  The State Board of Antiquities is undertaking a survey of all of Iraq’s archaeological sites and developing a GIS database with funding and expertise from the Getty Conservation Institute and the World Monument Fund.
•  Numerous staff from the State Board of Antiquities are being sent overseas for training in France, Germany and the United States in museum sciences, conservation and archaeology in the coming years.
•  Major universities and research institute from Europe and North America are establishing contracts for research and excavation at sites in Iraq for the first time in decades. As well, a number of prominent Iraqi archaeologists in the department are again planning excavations and research activities.
•  The Japanese government has promised to provide major grants for cultural and educational programs to Iraq’s Ministries in the coming decade, including a grant of four-wheel drive vehicles and communications gear for site policing against looting.
•  The CPA has funded the rehabilitation of department offices providing furniture and equipment, as well as digital cameras and computers, as well as for regional museums in Mosel and Nasiriya. There is also discussion of $600,000 in funding by the CPA being discussed for Samarra, to date not in coordination with the State Board of Antiquities, who’s cooperation and approvals must be secured prior to any intervention.

The Opportunity- Cultural Tourism as Iraq’s #2 Industry

It is estimated that Iraq has over 40 world-class heritage sites that can provide major tourism opportunities, and potentially up to 20,000 archaeological sites from many periods in its 10,000 year history of human civilization. As well, over 80 major ancient religious mosques and shrines are under joint management by the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Religion. The sites were prioritized during the Congress to focus on endangered major archaeological and heritage sites with potential for UNESCO World Heritage status and tourism development.  As well, the Congress led to the inclusion of a number of ancient townscapes and historic city quarters to the highest priority sites including Erbil, Ancient Kirkuk and Ancient Basra. 

The State Board of Antiquities has a long history dating to 1923 with the Antiquities Law first established in 1936. The people working in the State Board of Antiquities have a strong passion for archaeology and the concept that Iraq’s heritage is world heritage, and should be shared. Under the previous regime, Antiquities were primary focused on pleasing the ruler and his personal needs, not that of the Iraqi people or the world. The Sumer Journal is an annual publication of 500 or so pages of published reports on Iraqi archaeology and this year it is in its 51st edition.

Tourism promises to be the second largest industry in Iraq after the oil industry, with potential to be the number two cultural tourism destination in the Middle East and Africa after Egypt within the next ten years, providing an important economic impetus for the nation and its people, especially within the communities and regions around Iraq’s most famous heritage sites. The Master Conservation Planning placed particular importance of existing and potential tourism infrastructure (airports, rail, roads, hotels, towns and nature sites), as well as other heritage sites in close proximity to ‘anchor’ sites selected by the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities.

Unlike many other countries where Global Heritage Fund works in planning, training, advocacy and conservation, Iraq possesses strong financial resources, expertise, a long prestigious history for archaeological conservation and research. While lacking modern site management planning tools and expertise, Global Heritage Fund believes that a four-year program of rigorous planning, training, technology and conservation can bring the Iraqi Antiquities Department to international levels of excellence on par with English Heritage and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Already Iraq possesses recently revised Antiquities Laws (2000) and a regional administration structure with directors for each province in charge of archaeology, conservation, research and museums. The Iraqi site directors, archaeologists, architects and site inspectors participating in the Iraq Heritage Congress were experienced and well-educated with vast knowledge of archaeological method, site history, conservation techniques and proven ability to manage major restorations as seen in the case studies of recent conservations of Hatra and Al-Ukhaidhir. 

Conclusions

Iraq can regain its once world-class position as one of the greatest centers of archaeology, conservation, science, history and museum science with government and international support. Unlike many countries, Iraq is also a relatively wealthy nation with expected national budgets for site restoration and excavation and research expected in 2005, as well as foreign funding.

Despite this potential wealth available for heritage conservation and tourism development, Iraq needs to adopt International Standards for Conservation and Excavation based on the Venice and Burra Charters based on international standards in conservation and will need a strong multi-year program of master planning, training and capacity building and new models for ensuring the highest-quality of site conservation and excavations.

Special Thanks and Acknowledgments

Global Heritage Fund would like to thank especially Dr. McGuire Gibson and Dr. Mark Altaweel of the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago for bringing critical knowledge and expertise on Iraq archaeology and the country’s long history of research and conservation, as well as important insight on current threats, looting and neglect which are devastating Iraq’s heritage sites. Without Drs. Gibson and Altaweel, the Congress would not have been possible. 

As well, we would like to thank Joanne Farchakh, the tireless journalist and historian who has been working in Iraq for the past five years and has one of the best understandings of the country’s state of antiquities, heritage sites and the looting through her five visits over the past year throughout Iraq. We also wish to thank our friends in the Jordan State Board of Antiquities, Dr. Martha S. Joukowsky, Professor of old World Archaeology and Art of Brown University and Mr. Pierre Bikai, Director of the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) for their in-depth tours and case studies of excavation, management and conservation of Petra World Heritage site.

Dr. Donny George, Director General of the Iraq Museums, Mr. Burhan Shaker Sulaiman, Director General of Excavation and Investigation and Mr. Wisam Jalil Iskandar, Director of Restoration and Architecture and their teams of Iraqi archaeologist and conservation leaders should all be commended for their progressive vision for training and team-building which resulted from the Iraq Heritage Congress and its coming integrated program over the next four years.

The Congress was the first time many of these men and women had been outside Iraq and had been together for knowledge sharing and training in master conservation planning. It is the leaders of Iraq like these men and women who give us hope for this great country’s future, and its ability to save its past.

We also wish to thank Mr. Chrik Poortman, Mr. Joe Saba and Ms. Katheryn Funk of The World Bank Middle East for their support and sponsorship of the Iraq Heritage Congress, and the entire team at GHF for making this Congress possible.

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