Protection of Sites in the North. The damage to archaeological sites in northern Iraq has resulted from (1) the unregulated expansion of agriculture and buildings onto sites during the past decade of lessened vigilance, (2) the trenching and bulldozing of some sites before the conflict to prepare for a military attack from the north, and (3) targeted efforts to steal particular items of great value from sites and museums. The presence of coalition troops on major sites is necessary in the short term to deter further looting. Long-term protection can best be provided by re-constituted Iraq police forces. For the interim period, the northern team emphasized to the authorities of ORHA (and these recommendations need follow-up in future) that the members of the Department of Antiquities in Mosul urged that the US guard be continued as long as possible to thwart further attempts at looting. This is particularly important because, as was the case at Ashur, we heard that the local guards were forbidden by the US soldiers to carry guns. Clearly a consistent policy of arming and paying site guards is essential if they are ever to prove an effective force against the well-armed gangs of looters. It is also crucial for salaries to be paid to the Department of Antiquities personnel.
T.J.Wilkinson
The Oriental Institute
Chicago
The National Geographic Society's Cultural Assessment of Iraq: Introduction>>
Part One: The State of Sites and Museums in Northern Iraq (this page)
Part Two: The State of Sites and Museums in Southern Iraq>>
Part Three: A Helicopter Inspection of Endangered Southern Sites>>
News Report: Ancient Iraqi Sites Show Theft, Destruction>>
