Protecting the Past 2 - Towards a better future with cultural heritage

Dr Narmeen A. Muhammadameen talks about challenges for work at the Kirkuk Citadel and the importance of this site for local and community identities. The citadel at Kirkuk, the natural focal point of the city with almost one million inhabitants, represents a North Iraqi cultural and archaeological monument of great potential. The relics of the fortified, Late Ottoman town quarter are situated on the summit of an extremely large tell (15,8 ha), rising on the height about 20–30 m on the left bank of the Khasa Sou River. The tell appeared to be an élite residence and regional centre as late as in the Middle-Assyrian (Mitanni) Period (the 16th-14th centuries BC), as textual sources indicate. Although no archaeological data have been obtained from the area so far, much earlier origins of settlement of the tell are highly probable. The heritage area of the citadel witnessed an unprecedented, planned destruction, labelled euphemistically as a „beautification action“ and building of museum of architecture, in the late Saddam era (1997–1998). All three thousands of inhabitants of the citadel, mostly Kurdish and Turkoman, were moved out and the quarter (about 700–850 houses) was completely bulldozed, except of nine isolated monuments and nine small groups of „most valuable“ houses. Subsequently, a part of these structures underwent hard renovations by use of inapropriate methods and materials (in 1998–2003), the citadel area, however, remained unsettled till present and all the architectural remains, both renovated and authentic, are in ruins or seriously endangered. Even in ruins or remodelled, the preserved houses represent a unique specimen of regional, Late Ottoman town architecture, different from that in Baghdad or Arbil. The standing religious monuments (mainly Prophet Daniel Mosque. Great Mosque and Gog Kumbet Tomb) are famous sites of pilgrimage and worship both for Muslims and Christians. The site apparently sustains a not negligible potential for local turism, religious contacts and cultural exchange. The presented project comes from our previous experience in archaeological evaluation of Arbil citadel (2006–2009). It aims generally to 1. gather all available data about historical substance of the citadel building and its archaeological stratification, 2. structure that data to an project of information system of the citadel, and 3. prepare a complex documentation and assessment report about archaeology and architecure of the citadel. The project will mostly rely on non-invasive, intensive methods of archaeological research and recording (archaeological surface survey, collection of surface finds, historical building analysis, remote sensing) and will have following stages: 1. collecting of data (old plans and photographs, satellite and aerial images, oral history, all types of archaeological survey and recording, photogrammetry, possibly geophysical survey) 2. creation and feeding of the information database system based on a digital, three-dimensional model of the citadel (see a demo-version of similar database created for the Arbil citadel http://lfgm.fsv.cvut.cz/citadel/) 3. analysis and interpretation of data in the form of an assessment report which should give a first reliable information about stratigraphy and architecture of the heritage area, as well as of its value and potential for future research. Some proposals for conservation and public presentation of the monuments have to be also a part of the report. Thus, the results could be integrated into the realization phase of the recent masterplan of the Kirkuk city. The proposed project will be carried out in close cooperation with the State Board of Antiquities at Baghdad, Directorate of Antiquities at Kirkuk, with specialist from Salahaddin University at Arbil, Department of Archaeology (Prof. Dr. Narmin A. M. Amin) and several Czech scientific institutions.

Dr Narmeen A. Muhammadameen talks about challenges for work at the Kirkuk Citadel and the importance of this site for local and community identities. The citadel at Kirkuk, the natural focal point of the city with almost one million inhabitants, represents a North Iraqi cultural and archaeological monument of great potential. The relics of the fortified, Late Ottoman town quarter are situated on the summit of an extremely large tell (15,8 ha), rising on the height about 20–30 m on the left bank of the Khasa Sou River. The tell appeared to be an élite residence and regional centre as late as in the Middle-Assyrian (Mitanni) Period (the 16th-14th centuries BC), as textual sources indicate. Although no archaeological data have been obtained from the area so far, much earlier origins of settlement of the tell are highly probable. The heritage area of the citadel witnessed an unprecedented, planned destruction, labelled euphemistically as a „beautification action“ and building of museum of architecture, in the late Saddam era (1997–1998). All three thousands of inhabitants of the citadel, mostly Kurdish and Turkoman, were moved out and the quarter (about 700–850 houses) was completely bulldozed, except of nine isolated monuments and nine small groups of „most valuable“ houses. Subsequently, a part of these structures underwent hard renovations by use of inapropriate methods and materials (in 1998–2003), the citadel area, however, remained unsettled till present and all the architectural remains, both renovated and authentic, are in ruins or seriously endangered. Even in ruins or remodelled, the preserved houses represent a unique specimen of regional, Late Ottoman town architecture, different from that in Baghdad or Arbil. The standing religious monuments (mainly Prophet Daniel Mosque. Great Mosque and Gog Kumbet Tomb) are famous sites of pilgrimage and worship both for Muslims and Christians. The site apparently sustains a not negligible potential for local turism, religious contacts and cultural exchange. The presented project comes from our previous experience in archaeological evaluation of Arbil citadel (2006–2009). It aims generally to 1. gather all available data about historical substance of the citadel building and its archaeological stratification, 2. structure that data to an project of information system of the citadel, and 3. prepare a complex documentation and assessment report about archaeology and architecure of the citadel. The project will mostly rely on non-invasive, intensive methods of archaeological research and recording (archaeological surface survey, collection of surface finds, historical building analysis, remote sensing) and will have following stages: 1. collecting of data (old plans and photographs, satellite and aerial images, oral history, all types of archaeological survey and recording, photogrammetry, possibly geophysical survey) 2. creation and feeding of the information database system based on a digital, three-dimensional model of the citadel (see a demo-version of similar database created for the Arbil citadel http://lfgm.fsv.cvut.cz/citadel/) 3. analysis and interpretation of data in the form of an assessment report which should give a first reliable information about stratigraphy and architecture of the heritage area, as well as of its value and potential for future research. Some proposals for conservation and public presentation of the monuments have to be also a part of the report. Thus, the results could be integrated into the realization phase of the recent masterplan of the Kirkuk city. The proposed project will be carried out in close cooperation with the State Board of Antiquities at Baghdad, Directorate of Antiquities at Kirkuk, with specialist from Salahaddin University at Arbil, Department of Archaeology (Prof. Dr. Narmin A. M. Amin) and several Czech scientific institutions.

Dr Narmeen A. Muhammadameen talks about challenges for work at the Kirkuk Citadel and the importance of this site for local and community identities. The citadel at Kirkuk, the natural focal point of the city with almost one million inhabitants, represents a North Iraqi cultural and archaeological monument of great potential. The relics of the fortified, Late Ottoman town quarter are situated on the summit of an extremely large tell (15,8 ha), rising on the height about 20–30 m on the left bank of the Khasa Sou River. The tell appeared to be an élite residence and regional centre as late as in the Middle-Assyrian (Mitanni) Period (the 16th-14th centuries BC), as textual sources indicate. Although no archaeological data have been obtained from the area so far, much earlier origins of settlement of the tell are highly probable. The heritage area of the citadel witnessed an unprecedented, planned destruction, labelled euphemistically as a „beautification action“ and building of museum of architecture, in the late Saddam era (1997–1998). All three thousands inhabitants of the citadel, mostly Kurdish and Turkoman, were moved out and the quarter (about 700–850 houses) was completely bulldozed, except of nine isolated monuments and nine small groups of „most valuable“ houses. Subsequently, a part of these structures underwent hard renovations by use of inapropriate methods and materials (in 1998–2003), the citadel area, however, remained unsettled till present and all the architectural remains, both renovated and authentic, are in ruins or seriously endangered. Even in ruins or remodelled, the preserved houses represent a unique specimen of regional, Late Ottoman town architecture, different from that in Baghdad or Arbil. The standing religious monuments (mainly Prophet Daniel Mosque. Great Mosque and Gog Kumbet Tomb) are famous sites of pilgrimage and worship both for Muslims and Christians. The site apparently sustains a not negligible potential for local turism, religious contacts and cultural exchange. The presented project comes from our previous experience in archaeological evaluation of Arbil citadel (2006–2009). It aims generally to 1. gather all available data about historical substance of the citadel building and its archaeological stratification, 2. structure that data to an project of information system of the citadel, and 3. prepare a complex documentation and assessment report about archaeology and architecure of the citadel. The project will mostly rely on non-invasive, intensive methods of archaeological research and recording (archaeological surface survey, collection of surface finds, historical building analysis, remote sensing) and will have following stages: 1. collecting of data (old plans and photographs, satellite and aerial images, oral history, all types of archaeological survey and recording, photogrammetry, possibly geophysical survey) 2. creation and feeding of the information database system based on a digital, three-dimensional model of the citadel (see a demo-version of similar database created for the Arbil citadel http://lfgm.fsv.cvut.cz/citadel/) 3. analysis and interpretation of data in the form of an assessment report which should give a first reliable information about stratigraphy and architecture of the heritage area, as well as of its value and potential for future research. Some proposals for conservation and public presentation of the monuments have to be also a part of the report. Thus, the results could be integrated into the realization phase of the recent masterplan of the Kirkuk city. The proposed project will be carried out in close cooperation with the State Board of Antiquities at Baghdad, Directorate of Antiquities at Kirkuk, with specialist from Salahaddin University at Arbil, Department of Archaeology (Prof. Dr. Narmin A. M. Amin) and several Czech scientific institutions.

Dr Emma Cunliffe brings our attention to the importance of considering the significant damage caused by agriculture, development, irrigation and infrastructure protects to less visible sites and features, such as holloways. The Northern Jazira in Iraq is an area with a long, rich settlement history that includes small early settlements, multi-period tell sites, and a wide variety of later settlement and off-site features. In particular, the region is notable for its network of hollow ways – an extensive network of well-preserved routes connecting the ancient settlements. Some are estimated to be at least 5000 years old, and yet despite substantial landscape change are still visible today. However, over the last 60 years the archaeology of the region has come under increasing threat. Problems include dam inundation and the associated irrigation networks, the intensified farming that follows it, and expanding urbanisation and its accompanying infrastructure. Although some rescue work has been conducted in advance of some infrastructure projects, the extent of the damage these have caused has never been assessed. This paper will review 60 years of landscape change in the area around Tell al-Hawa, using early CORONA satellite imagery and recent Digital Globe imagery. Although we will never have a ‘complete’ record of the past to study, by examining the effects of modern development on the archaeology of the region, it is possible to assess its loss. This paper will conclude by considering the impact this has – and will continue to have – on the study of the history of Iraq, and its implications for heritage management.

Using case studies from his work in the Bazyan Basin, Ricardo Cabral outlines the digital technologies that can be used to survey and explore sites threatened by agriculture, development and industry in Iraq. Recent developments in the field of 3D technologies, including access to low cost volumetric surveys, virtual reality systems and 3D printing, have been gradually transforming the traditional modes of recording, research and dissemination of archaeological heritage. The application of these digital technologies has opened a wide range of possibilities and solutions in the preservation and dissemination of archaeological sites, playing an especially important role in unstable socio-political contexts. It is in this context that the Kani Shaie Archaeological Project, which takes place in Iraqi Kurdistan, has, since 2013, adopted a multi-scale 3D scanning methodology, combining Unmanned Air Vehicles, photogrammetry, GIS and handheld laser scanners for the documentation and preservation of the site and its archaeological remains. The use of these digital tools proved to be not only a solution for the remote analysis of archaeological data, providing greater insight into the archaeological contexts and artifacts, but simultaneously allowed us to develop a virtual reality application that provides an interactive approach to the dissemination of the archaeological heritage to the public. The application of these technologies will assist in the coming years to document in a digital format the threatened and rapidly disappearing cultural heritage of the Bazyan valley.

Dr Tobin Hartnell argues that three key ‘gaps’ are threatening cultural heritage: an interest gap, a caring gap, and a skills gap. He suggests that expanding cultural heritage studies beyond universities is a key priority for the future. After decades of neglect, there is a very active research program for archaeology in the KRG largely led by foreigners. Amongst these foreign projects, there are a few that are specifically designed to strengthen the capacity of existing cultural professionals in the museum and archaeology space. What is missing is support for the next generation of professionals. Traditionally, national and regional governments have supported students financially to gain their education in foreign universities, yet the most effective forms of capacity building will reverse that to emphasize local skills building initiatives and partnerships to bring qualified professionals into the region. This talk will discuss successful models of in-sourcing and consider what has, is, and can be done to support capacity development in the local universities.

Dr Tobin Hartnell argues that three key ‘gaps’ are threatening cultural heritage: an interest gap, a caring gap, and a skills gap. He suggests that expanding cultural heritage studies beyond universities is a key priority for the future. After decades of neglect, there is a very active research program for archaeology in the KRG largely led by foreigners. Amongst these foreign projects, there are a few that are specifically designed to strengthen the capacity of existing cultural professionals in the museum and archaeology space. What is missing is support for the next generation of professionals. Traditionally, national and regional governments have supported students financially to gain their education in foreign universities, yet the most effective forms of capacity building will reverse that to emphasize local skills building initiatives and partnerships to bring qualified professionals into the region. This talk will discuss successful models of in-sourcing and consider what has, is, and can be done to support capacity development in the local universities.

Dr Tobin Hartnell argues that three key ‘gaps’ are threatening cultural heritage: an interest gap, a caring gap, and a skills gap. He suggests that expanding cultural heritage studies beyond universities is a key priority for the future.

Layla Salih outlines some of the reasons, religious, political and economic, for the destruction of Mosul’s heritage and examines the issues currently hindering plans for prioritisation and reconstruction. Since the beginning of the conflict in Iraq, in addition to the tragic loss of life and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, cultural heritage has been the target of intentional destruction on a staggering scale. We face an appalling situation, which calls for us to live up to our responsibilities. The objective is to expunge any trace of history of the country, along with the identities of its people. It became clear for everyone what happened in Mosul and Nineveh as a whole city, which have been under control of ISIS during June 2014 and till now, and how they started devastating actions from the first month of their invasion; as a result of that, many different sites have been destroyed such as Assyrian cities, religious sites, museums…etc. In this presentation, I try to focus on the outcomes of destruction in order to document that and thinking about the future of heritage sites which have been affected during the war. Work challenges will be different from one site to another, because of questions related to the scale of damage, the current situation for each site, and other aspects which we will discuss together. I’ll also address some of the International conventions in order to show what challenges we will encounter in their application when rehabilitating destroyed heritage sites.

Layla Salih outlines some of the reasons, religious, political and economic, for the destruction of Mosul’s heritage and examines the issues currently hindering plans for prioritisation and reconstruction. Since the beginning of the conflict in Iraq, in addition to the tragic loss of life and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, cultural heritage has been the target of intentional destruction on a staggering scale. We face an appalling situation, which calls for us to live up to our responsibilities. The objective is to expunge any trace of history of the country, along with the identities of its people. It became clear for everyone what happened in Mosul and Nineveh as a whole city, which have been under control of ISIS during June 2014 and till now, and how they started devastating actions from the first month of their invasion; as a result of that, many different sites have been destroyed such as Assyrian cities, religious sites, museums…etc. In this presentation, I try to focus on the outcomes of destruction in order to document that and thinking about the future of heritage sites which have been affected during the war. Work challenges will be different from one site to another, because of questions related to the scale of damage, the current situation for each site, and other aspects which we will discuss together. I’ll also address some of the International conventions in order to show what challenges we will encounter in their application when rehabilitating destroyed heritage sites.

Layla Salih outlines some of the reasons, religious, political and economic, for the destruction of Mosul’s heritage and examines the issues currently hindering plans for prioritisation and reconstruction. Since the beginning of the conflict in Iraq, in addition to the tragic loss of life and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, cultural heritage has been the target of intentional destruction on a staggering scale. We face an appalling situation, which calls for us to live up to our responsibilities. The objective is to expunge any trace of history of the country, along with the identities of its people. It became clear for everyone what happened in Mosul and Nineveh as a whole city, which have been under control of ISIS during June 2014 and till now, and how they started devastating actions from the first month of their invasion; as a result of that, many different sites have been destroyed such as Assyrian cities, religious sites, museums…etc. In this presentation, I try to focus on the outcomes of destruction in order to document that and thinking about the future of heritage sites which have been affected during the war. Work challenges will be different from one site to another, because of questions related to the scale of damage, the current situation for each site, and other aspects which we will discuss together. I’ll also address some of the International conventions in order to show what challenges we will encounter in their application when rehabilitating destroyed heritage sites.

Dr Rouhani outlines AMAL’s development of a mobile app: designed to assist and provide tools for risk planning and emergency management and to help professionals and local communities if experts are not available. AMAL in Heritage is a programme for managing disaster and conflict risks for cultural heritage in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Launched by Global Heritage Fund (GHF) and its international partners, AMAL in Heritage responds to the need for a comprehensive programme of cultural emergency management. The increasing number of disasters and conflicts and also the scale of damage to and destruction of heritage places and antiquities in this region have necessitated the use of all possible and latest methods and technologies for reducing risks, managing emergency situation, and recovery. There is a need for a sustainable, cost-effective, and comprehensive platform and toolkit to equip cultural heritage practitioners and volunteers on the ground with the tools, training, and capacity they need to prepare for disasters before they come; respond to them when they arrive; and begin recovering from them after the smoke has cleared. AMAL in Heritage develops plans, tools, and training materials for risk preparedness, emergency response, and recovery of movable and immovable cultural heritage. AMAL in Heritage is supported by a mobile and web application to offer management, data recording, and mapping tools and to deliver technical and training support to local heritage professionals in the region. A survey carried out by GHF for AMAL in Heritage shows that although the use of new online technologies and applications for preparedness, emergency response, and recovery has become a trend in many sectors, including humanitarian, cultural heritage sector has not received enough advantage from this possibility yet. Rapid Damage Assessment is the first element of AMAL’s mobile application that has been developed by AMAL in Heritage partners. This component was considered the most important initial step because a timely response to disaster can reduce the degree and extent of damage and prevent the permanent loss of cultural heritage. The objective of a rapid damage assessment is to identify the extent and impact of the damage caused by the disaster and to identify priorities for intervention. To fill the gap created by the absence of international assistance, Global Heritage Fund is partnering with the Prince Claus Fund, the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH), the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), and the International Scientific Committee on Risk Preparedness of ICOMOS (ICOMOS-ICORP) to launch the ‘AMAL in Heritage’ programme.

Dr Rouhani outlines AMAL’s development of a mobile app: designed to assist and provide tools for risk planning and emergency management and to help professionals and local communities if experts are not available. AMAL in Heritage is a programme for managing disaster and conflict risks for cultural heritage in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Launched by Global Heritage Fund (GHF) and its international partners, AMAL in Heritage responds to the need for a comprehensive programme of cultural emergency management. The increasing number of disasters and conflicts and also the scale of damage to and destruction of heritage places and antiquities in this region have necessitated the use of all possible and latest methods and technologies for reducing risks, managing emergency situation, and recovery. There is a need for a sustainable, cost-effective, and comprehensive platform and toolkit to equip cultural heritage practitioners and volunteers on the ground with the tools, training, and capacity they need to prepare for disasters before they come; respond to them when they arrive; and begin recovering from them after the smoke has cleared. AMAL in Heritage develops plans, tools, and training materials for risk preparedness, emergency response, and recovery of movable and immovable cultural heritage. AMAL in Heritage is supported by a mobile and web application to offer management, data recording, and mapping tools and to deliver technical and training support to local heritage professionals in the region. A survey carried out by GHF for AMAL in Heritage shows that although the use of new online technologies and applications for preparedness, emergency response, and recovery has become a trend in many sectors, including humanitarian, cultural heritage sector has not received enough advantage from this possibility yet. Rapid Damage Assessment is the first element of AMAL’s mobile application that has been developed by AMAL in Heritage partners. This component was considered the most important initial step because a timely response to disaster can reduce the degree and extent of damage and prevent the permanent loss of cultural heritage. The objective of a rapid damage assessment is to identify the extent and impact of the damage caused by the disaster and to identify priorities for intervention. To fill the gap created by the absence of international assistance, Global Heritage Fund is partnering with the Prince Claus Fund, the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH), the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), and the International Scientific Committee on Risk Preparedness of ICOMOS (ICOMOS-ICORP) to launch the ‘AMAL in Heritage’ programme.

Dr Ahmad argues that we should look beyond conflict, to factors such as construction, lack of investment, as well as lack of awareness as being powerful causes of damage to cultural heritage. It is generally believed that the dangers facing cultural heritage come from the terrorist groups. However, there are other dangers to this heritage, no less severe, that need to be treated, in times of peace as in times of war. The different types of danger require different approaches to save the cultural heritage.

Prof. Matthews discusses initiatives by RASHID International to help protect, preserve and raise awareness of Iraq’s cultural heritage. Despite having only been in existence for a couple of months, RASHID already has over 70 members from across the world. RASHID International is a multi-national group of academics, professionals and individuals with an engagement in the cultural heritage of Iraq. In this talk I will present and discuss the aims, objectives, plans and aspirations of this organisation, situating the issues of Iraq’s cultural heritage within a broad international context and including consideration of wider legal issues around destruction and protection of cultural heritage.

Prof. Matthews discusses initiatives by RASHID International to help protect, preserve and raise awareness of Iraq’s cultural heritage. Despite having only been in existence for a couple of months, RASHID already has over 70 members from across the world. RASHID International is a multi-national group of academics, professionals and individuals with an engagement in the cultural heritage of Iraq. In this talk I will present and discuss the aims, objectives, plans and aspirations of this organisation, situating the issues of Iraq’s cultural heritage within a broad international context and including consideration of wider legal issues around destruction and protection of cultural heritage.

Dr MacGinnis presents the initial results of the British Museum’s heritage management training scheme, which focuses particularly on fieldwork management, training students on excavation and post-excavation techniques. The Iraq Heritage Management Training Scheme (the (“Iraq Scheme”) is a programme funded by the UK government and delivered through the British Museum dedicated to offering training to archaeologists from across the whole of Iraq in cultural heritage management and practical fieldwork skills. The programme consists of a UK cycle covering theoretical issues and the introduction of technical skills, followed by a component of practical fieldwork training delivered on site in Iraq. The Scheme aims to offer training to approximately 50 Iraq professionals over the next four years. This paper will outline details of the Scheme and report on the progress of the first contingent of participants.

Dr MacGinnis presents the initial results of the British Museum’s heritage management training scheme, which focuses particularly on fieldwork management, training students on excavation and post-excavation techniques The Iraq Heritage Management Training Scheme (the (“Iraq Scheme”) is a programme funded by the UK government and delivered through the British Museum dedicated to offering training to archaeologists from across the whole of Iraq in cultural heritage management and practical fieldwork skills. The programme consists of a UK cycle covering theoretical issues and the introduction of technical skills, followed by a component of practical fieldwork training delivered on site in Iraq. The Scheme aims to offer training to approximately 50 Iraq professionals over the next four years. This paper will outline details of the Scheme and report on the progress of the first contingent of participants.

Dr Katie A. Paul discusses work by the Antiquities Coalition to bring together the international community to protect heritage. Work completed so far includes policy recommendations, information tools, conferences, and the building of a Task Force. Since the 2011 Arab Spring, throughout the Middle East and North Africa, heritage is increasingly being used as terrorist financing tool and weapon of war. Some of the world’s most iconic ancient sites and masterpieces have now been lost to armed conflict, targeted destruction, and organized plunder. While the crisis seems overwhelming, the world is fighting back. This September in Amman, 17 MENA nations will come together at the Second Annual #CultureUnderThreat Conference, hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This ministerial summit is part of a continuing global initiative launched by the Antiquities Coalition, a nongovernmental organization based in Washington, DC. Since its creation in 2014, the Antiquities Coalition has worked to build the political will needed to fight cultural racketeering, while supporting actions by policymakers, governments, and art market players working to achieve this same goal. This presentation will review the Antiquities Coalition’s #CultureUnderThreat programs, including its ministerial summits in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as an international experts’ task force to develop solutions to the ongoing crisis, and efforts to raise awareness of cultural racketeering in the region and beyond

Dr Katie A. Paul discusses work by the Antiquities Coalition to bring together the international community to protect heritage. Work completed so far includes policy recommendations, information tools, conferences, and the building of a Task Force. Since the 2011 Arab Spring, throughout the Middle East and North Africa, heritage is increasingly being used as terrorist financing tool and weapon of war. Some of the world’s most iconic ancient sites and masterpieces have now been lost to armed conflict, targeted destruction, and organized plunder. While the crisis seems overwhelming, the world is fighting back. This September in Amman, 17 MENA nations will come together at the Second Annual #CultureUnderThreat Conference, hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This ministerial summit is part of a continuing global initiative launched by the Antiquities Coalition, a nongovernmental organization based in Washington, DC. Since its creation in 2014, the Antiquities Coalition has worked to build the political will needed to fight cultural racketeering, while supporting actions by policymakers, governments, and art market players working to achieve this same goal. This presentation will review the Antiquities Coalition’s #CultureUnderThreat programs, including its ministerial summits in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as an international experts’ task force to develop solutions to the ongoing crisis, and efforts to raise awareness of cultural racketeering in the region and beyond

Dr Khorsheed showcases some of IICAH’s success stories. With its state-of-the-art facilities, the Institute is able to train students and practitioners from all over Iraq with the help of national and international experts. The Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage is dedicated to rebuild Iraq’s cultural heritage and professional capacity. It is doing so through the provision of a variery of training programs throughout the country, assistance with the establishment of professional environments within Iraq’s museums, as well as the provision of scholarships and opportunities for professional development and capacity building for Iraq’s museums and antiquities staff.

Dr Khorsheed showcases some of IICAH’s success stories. With its state-of-the-art facilities, the Institute is able to train students and practitioners from all over Iraq with the help of national and international experts. The Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage is dedicated to rebuild Iraq’s cultural heritage and professional capacity. It is doing so through the provision of a variery of training programs throughout the country, assistance with the establishment of professional environments within Iraq’s museums, as well as the provision of scholarships and opportunities for professional development and capacity building for Iraq’s museums and antiquities staff.

Dr Ahmad argues that we should look beyond conflict, to factors such as construction, lack of investment, as well as lack of awareness as being powerful causes of damage to cultural heritage. It is generally believed that the dangers facing cultural heritage come from the terrorist groups. However, there are other dangers to this heritage, no less severe, that need to be treated, in times of peace as in times of war. The different types of danger require different approaches to save the cultural heritage.

Dr Ahmad argues that we should look beyond conflict, to factors such as construction, lack of investment, as well as lack of awareness as being powerful causes of damage to cultural heritage. It is generally believed that the dangers facing cultural heritage come from the terrorist groups. However, there are other dangers to this heritage, no less severe, that need to be treated, in times of peace as in times of war. The different types of danger require different approaches to save the cultural heritage.

Allison Cuneo talks about conflict damage to Iraqi heritage and ASOR CHI’s role in mapping episodes of destruction and assisting the Iraqi authorities in establishing priorities and planning for the post-conflict phase. The armed conflict that began in Syria in 2011 has produced a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. In 2014 the regional nature of the situation escalated, beginning with the take-over of Mosul by ISIL, followed by their subsequent gains in northern Iraq. In Syria alone, combat has reached every region, with nearly a third of the population internally displaced and more than four million have left the country as refugees. These war-wearied Syrians and Iraqis are struggling with a loss of identity and a lack of control over their lives, and these feelings are further compounded by the destruction of their as a result of the ongoing conflict. Thousands of cultural properties have been damaged through combat-related incidents, theft, and intentional destruction. This paper examines the impact of the conflict on the protection of cultural property by discussing the activities and outcomes of the Cultural Heritage Initiatives (CHI) project, a cooperative agreement between the US Department of State and the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR). CHI activities include gathering and archiving information about the condition of cultural heritage from online media, satellite imagery, and in-country sources. Working collaboratively with other groups and agencies, CHI has compiled lists of heritage resources to create an inventory and map of heritage assets in both countries. This information is used to complete remote condition assessments to help better understand patterns of damage and preservation needs, and subsequently these assessments will be critical for prioritizing on-the-ground conservation activities in the initial post-conflict recovery period. Overall, through a wide range of activities, CHI documents the impact of the war on cultural heritage and plans preservation actions for the future. This discussion of the CHI project illustrates the challenges of protecting cultural heritage during armed conflict and considers responses that engage local stakeholders. Ultimately CHI seeks to develop best practices for cultural property protection.

Allison Cuneo talks about conflict damage to Iraqi heritage and ASOR CHI’s role in mapping episodes of destruction and assisting the Iraqi authorities in establishing priorities and planning for the post-conflict phase. The armed conflict that began in Syria in 2011 has produced a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. In 2014 the regional nature of the situation escalated, beginning with the take-over of Mosul by ISIL, followed by their subsequent gains in northern Iraq. In Syria alone, combat has reached every region, with nearly a third of the population internally displaced and more than four million have left the country as refugees. These war-wearied Syrians and Iraqis are struggling with a loss of identity and a lack of control over their lives, and these feelings are further compounded by the destruction of their as a result of the ongoing conflict. Thousands of cultural properties have been damaged through combat-related incidents, theft, and intentional destruction. This paper examines the impact of the conflict on the protection of cultural property by discussing the activities and outcomes of the Cultural Heritage Initiatives (CHI) project, a cooperative agreement between the US Department of State and the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR). CHI activities include gathering and archiving information about the condition of cultural heritage from online media, satellite imagery, and in-country sources. Working collaboratively with other groups and agencies, CHI has compiled lists of heritage resources to create an inventory and map of heritage assets in both countries. This information is used to complete remote condition assessments to help better understand patterns of damage and preservation needs, and subsequently these assessments will be critical for prioritizing on-the-ground conservation activities in the initial post-conflict recovery period. Overall, through a wide range of activities, CHI documents the impact of the war on cultural heritage and plans preservation actions for the future. This discussion of the CHI project illustrates the challenges of protecting cultural heritage during armed conflict and considers responses that engage local stakeholders. Ultimately CHI seeks to develop best practices for cultural property protection.

Allison Cuneo talks about conflict damage to Iraqi heritage and ASOR CHI’s role in mapping episodes of destruction and assisting the Iraqi authorities in establishing priorities and planning for the post-conflict phase. The armed conflict that began in Syria in 2011 has produced a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. In 2014 the regional nature of the situation escalated, beginning with the take-over of Mosul by ISIL, followed by their subsequent gains in northern Iraq. In Syria alone, combat has reached every region, with nearly a third of the population internally displaced and more than four million have left the country as refugees. These war-wearied Syrians and Iraqis are struggling with a loss of identity and a lack of control over their lives, and these feelings are further compounded by the destruction of their as a result of the ongoing conflict. Thousands of cultural properties have been damaged through combat-related incidents, theft, and intentional destruction. This paper examines the impact of the conflict on the protection of cultural property by discussing the activities and outcomes of the Cultural Heritage Initiatives (CHI) project, a cooperative agreement between the US Department of State and the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR). CHI activities include gathering and archiving information about the condition of cultural heritage from online media, satellite imagery, and in-country sources. Working collaboratively with other groups and agencies, CHI has compiled lists of heritage resources to create an inventory and map of heritage assets in both countries. This information is used to complete remote condition assessments to help better understand patterns of damage and preservation needs, and subsequently these assessments will be critical for prioritizing on-the-ground conservation activities in the initial post-conflict recovery period. Overall, through a wide range of activities, CHI documents the impact of the war on cultural heritage and plans preservation actions for the future. This discussion of the CHI project illustrates the challenges of protecting cultural heritage during armed conflict and considers responses that engage local stakeholders. Ultimately CHI seeks to develop best practices for cultural property protection.

Prof. Philip discusses the work of SHIRĪN, an NGO that is bringing together data generated by research groups that had worked in Syria prior to 2011. Its aim is to collate data, currently dispersed across many countries, to help create a Syrian HER. SHIRIN is an initiative from the global community of scholars active in the field of archaeology, art and history of the Ancient Near East. It brings together a significant proportion of those international research groups that were working in Syria prior to 2011, with the purpose of making their expertise available to wider heritage protection efforts. Accordingly, its International Committee includes the directors of a number of long-term international research programmes, and others who share their strong commitment to the effective protection of the heritage of Syria. SHIRIN will also collaborate on the creation of a comprehensive database of elements of Syrian heritage. This will provide a basic core of knowledge to which evidence of damage can be added on a case-by-case basis, and will allow the evaluation of the overall pattern and scale of damage resulting from the conflict, as it presents across different regions of Syria and the various classes of monument. It will thus propose a key source of information that can be made available to those involved in heritage protection at a local level, so that they have the necessary knowledge to prioritize heritage protection efforts in a systematic manner.

Prof. Philip discusses the work of SHIRĪN, an NGO that is bringing together data generated by research groups that had worked in Syria prior to 2011. Its aim is to collate data, currently dispersed across many countries, to help create a Syrian HER. SHIRIN is an initiative from the global community of scholars active in the field of archaeology, art and history of the Ancient Near East. It brings together a significant proportion of those international research groups that were working in Syria prior to 2011, with the purpose of making their expertise available to wider heritage protection efforts. Accordingly, its International Committee includes the directors of a number of long-term international research programmes, and others who share their strong commitment to the effective protection of the heritage of Syria. SHIRIN will also collaborate on the creation of a comprehensive database of elements of Syrian heritage. This will provide a basic core of knowledge to which evidence of damage can be added on a case-by-case basis, and will allow the evaluation of the overall pattern and scale of damage resulting from the conflict, as it presents across different regions of Syria and the various classes of monument. It will thus propose a key source of information that can be made available to those involved in heritage protection at a local level, so that they have the necessary knowledge to prioritize heritage protection efforts in a systematic manner.

Prof. Philip discusses the work of SHIRĪN, an NGO that is bringing together data generated by research groups that had worked in Syria prior to 2011. Its aim is to collate data, currently dispersed across many countries, to help create a Syrian HER. SHIRIN is an initiative from the global community of scholars active in the field of archaeology, art and history of the Ancient Near East. It brings together a significant proportion of those international research groups that were working in Syria prior to 2011, with the purpose of making their expertise available to wider heritage protection efforts. Accordingly, its International Committee includes the directors of a number of long-term international research programmes, and others who share their strong commitment to the effective protection of the heritage of Syria. SHIRIN will also collaborate on the creation of a comprehensive database of elements of Syrian heritage. This will provide a basic core of knowledge to which evidence of damage can be added on a case-by-case basis, and will allow the evaluation of the overall pattern and scale of damage resulting from the conflict, as it presents across different regions of Syria and the various classes of monument. It will thus propose a key source of information that can be made available to those involved in heritage protection at a local level, so that they have the necessary knowledge to prioritize heritage protection efforts in a systematic manner.

Dr al-Hamdani speaks about on-going work to create a nation-wide digital map of archaeological sites in Iraq: more than 17,000 sites have been mapped so far Documenting and registering cultural heritage in places that have witnessed armed conflicts and wars are fundamental to safeguarding the heritage of humankind. Iraq is one of the countries in the Middle East with a heritage that is endangered by a combination of looting, armed conflict and terrorist operations. It was within this context that we developed a GIS (a digital map with an associated database) recording the location and date of all of the known archaeological sites. This was especially important since the current Iraqi Archaeological Atlas has not been updated since 1971, was published in a short run book form making it hard to find, and only records 7,000 sites, many fewer than the total number of sites in Iraq. I had the opportunity to develop an updated, digital version of the Iraqi Archaeological Atlas when I was working on my PhD. at Stony Brook University. This project was supported by grants provided to my advisor, Elizabeth Stone, by the Cultural Heritage Center at the State Department, and supported by John Russell. The sources and methods The backbone for the data from southern Iraq were the archaeological surveys carried out by Robert Adams and his colleagues which identified some 1200 new archaeological sites which had not been included in the original Iraqi Atlas. Elizabeth Stone provided me with digital versions of these data which made them easy to incorporate into the database. I was also able to add sites that I had surveyed in southern Iraq between 2003-2009. We also included the results of Tony Wilkinson’s survey in the plain of Sinjar-Ninawa province in northwest of Iraq. 127 maps of Iraqi archaeological atlas and 201 maps from the department of the Iraqi Military Survey Department were used to locate archaeological sites. The military maps were very useful since Iraqi army wanted to identify all of the high ground in the run up to the 2003 war. The Atlas was developed through the digitization and georeferencing of all of these sources. The GIS pointfile locates each site and includes data for each site, including coordinates, historical periods, and archaeological, ethnographic and geographic data. Corona and Digital Globe satellite imagery were used to identify the locations of the sites. The result As a result of this project, more than 17,000 archaeological sites were documented. Sites were divided based on provinces so that antiquities inspectors and archaeologists from each province can edit, modify, and add the results of new fieldwork. Permission to access the GIS shapefiles will be made available to institutions and individual researchers upon application to the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage. These data can be useful for anyone seeking to select sites to be excavated. In addition it can be used by the central government and local governorates in Iraq when they plan development projects in the countryside so they can avoid damage to archaeological sites as they develop the initial plans for such projects.

Dr al-Hamdani speaks about on-going work to create a nation-wide digital map of archaeological sites in Iraq: more than 17,000 sites have been mapped so far. Documenting and registering cultural heritage in places that have witnessed armed conflicts and wars are fundamental to safeguarding the heritage of humankind. Iraq is one of the countries in the Middle East with a heritage that is endangered by a combination of looting, armed conflict and terrorist operations. It was within this context that we developed a GIS (a digital map with an associated database) recording the location and date of all of the known archaeological sites. This was especially important since the current Iraqi Archaeological Atlas has not been updated since 1971, was published in a short run book form making it hard to find, and only records 7,000 sites, many fewer than the total number of sites in Iraq. I had the opportunity to develop an updated, digital version of the Iraqi Archaeological Atlas when I was working on my PhD. at Stony Brook University. This project was supported by grants provided to my advisor, Elizabeth Stone, by the Cultural Heritage Center at the State Department, and supported by John Russell. The sources and methods The backbone for the data from southern Iraq were the archaeological surveys carried out by Robert Adams and his colleagues which identified some 1200 new archaeological sites which had not been included in the original Iraqi Atlas. Elizabeth Stone provided me with digital versions of these data which made them easy to incorporate into the database. I was also able to add sites that I had surveyed in southern Iraq between 2003-2009. We also included the results of Tony Wilkinson’s survey in the plain of Sinjar-Ninawa province in northwest of Iraq. 127 maps of Iraqi archaeological atlas and 201 maps from the department of the Iraqi Military Survey Department were used to locate archaeological sites. The military maps were very useful since Iraqi army wanted to identify all of the high ground in the run up to the 2003 war. The Atlas was developed through the digitization and georeferencing of all of these sources. The GIS pointfile locates each site and includes data for each site, including coordinates, historical periods, and archaeological, ethnographic and geographic data. Corona and Digital Globe satellite imagery were used to identify the locations of the sites. The result As a result of this project, more than 17,000 archaeological sites were documented. Sites were divided based on provinces so that antiquities inspectors and archaeologists from each province can edit, modify, and add the results of new fieldwork. Permission to access the GIS shapefiles will be made available to institutions and individual researchers upon application to the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage. These data can be useful for anyone seeking to select sites to be excavated. In addition it can be used by the central government and local governorates in Iraq when they plan development projects in the countryside so they can avoid damage to archaeological sites as they develop the initial plans for such projects.

Dr al-Hamdani speaks about on-going work to create a nation-wide digital map of archaeological sites in Iraq: more than 17,000 sites have been mapped so far. Documenting and registering cultural heritage in places that have witnessed armed conflicts and wars are fundamental to safeguarding the heritage of humankind. Iraq is one of the countries in the Middle East with a heritage that is endangered by a combination of looting, armed conflict and terrorist operations. It was within this context that we developed a GIS (a digital map with an associated database) recording the location and date of all of the known archaeological sites. This was especially important since the current Iraqi Archaeological Atlas has not been updated since 1971, was published in a short run book form making it hard to find, and only records 7,000 sites, many fewer than the total number of sites in Iraq. I had the opportunity to develop an updated, digital version of the Iraqi Archaeological Atlas when I was working on my PhD. at Stony Brook University. This project was supported by grants provided to my advisor, Elizabeth Stone, by the Cultural Heritage Center at the State Department, and supported by John Russell. The sources and methods The backbone for the data from southern Iraq were the archaeological surveys carried out by Robert Adams and his colleagues which identified some 1200 new archaeological sites which had not been included in the original Iraqi Atlas. Elizabeth Stone provided me with digital versions of these data which made them easy to incorporate into the database. I was also able to add sites that I had surveyed in southern Iraq between 2003-2009. We also included the results of Tony Wilkinson’s survey in the plain of Sinjar-Ninawa province in northwest of Iraq. 127 maps of Iraqi archaeological atlas and 201 maps from the department of the Iraqi Military Survey Department were used to locate archaeological sites. The military maps were very useful since Iraqi army wanted to identify all of the high ground in the run up to the 2003 war. The Atlas was developed through the digitization and georeferencing of all of these sources. The GIS pointfile locates each site and includes data for each site, including coordinates, historical periods, and archaeological, ethnographic and geographic data. Corona and Digital Globe satellite imagery were used to identify the locations of the sites. The result As a result of this project, more than 17,000 archaeological sites were documented. Sites were divided based on provinces so that antiquities inspectors and archaeologists from each province can edit, modify, and add the results of new fieldwork. Permission to access the GIS shapefiles will be made available to institutions and individual researchers upon application to the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage. These data can be useful for anyone seeking to select sites to be excavated. In addition it can be used by the central government and local governorates in Iraq when they plan development projects in the countryside so they can avoid damage to archaeological sites as they develop the initial plans for such projects.

EAMENA’s director, Dr Robert Bewley, talks about the advantages of using remote sensing to monitor and protect endangered archaeological sites in the Middle East and North Africa. The Endangered Archaeology project (EAMENA), which started in 2015, is assessing threats to archaeological sites primarily using satellite imagery and aerial photographs for the Middle East and North Africa. This paper will present the approach, initial results and future strategies for the project, with specific reference to Iraq. An open-access web-based information system (database) has been designed to allow basic information about information each site to be easily accessible for those interested in preserving archaeological sites in the region. For Iraq, the EAMENA team has used information from historical aerial photographic imagery, especially the work of Sir Aurel Stein in the 1930s, and information from previous extensive archaeological surveys to assist with its interpretations from satellite imagery. Examples of the sites that have been recorded, and the threats to them will be presented in the paper. A priority for the EAMENA project is to provide information on archaeological sites that are under threat so that local archaeologists and heritage professionals can monitor them on the ground. The information can also be used to develop strategies so that each site can be better understood, protected and even preserved for future generations to enjoy. As archaeologists we can not hope to protect every site but by recording the existence and nature of the sites we are able to be better informed, in advance of future threats, whatever the agent of change may be. The biggest threats to these archaeological sites are not just as a result of conflict but also agricultural activities, infrastructure projects, looting and the huge increase in village and urban expansion, as a result of the rising populations. The project has been funded by the Arcadia Fund (www.arcadiafund.org.uk) based at the University of Oxford in collaboration with the Universities of Leicester and Durham.

EAMENA’s director, Dr Robert Bewley, talks about the advantages of using remote sensing to monitor and protect endangered archaeological sites in the Middle East and North Africa. The Endangered Archaeology project (EAMENA), which started in 2015, is assessing threats to archaeological sites primarily using satellite imagery and aerial photographs for the Middle East and North Africa. This paper will present the approach, initial results and future strategies for the project, with specific reference to Iraq. An open-access web-based information system (database) has been designed to allow basic information about information each site to be easily accessible for those interested in preserving archaeological sites in the region. For Iraq, the EAMENA team has used information from historical aerial photographic imagery, especially the work of Sir Aurel Stein in the 1930s, and information from previous extensive archaeological surveys to assist with its interpretations from satellite imagery. Examples of the sites that have been recorded, and the threats to them will be presented in the paper. A priority for the EAMENA project is to provide information on archaeological sites that are under threat so that local archaeologists and heritage professionals can monitor them on the ground. The information can also be used to develop strategies so that each site can be better understood, protected and even preserved for future generations to enjoy. As archaeologists we can not hope to protect every site but by recording the existence and nature of the sites we are able to be better informed, in advance of future threats, whatever the agent of change may be. The biggest threats to these archaeological sites are not just as a result of conflict but also agricultural activities, infrastructure projects, looting and the huge increase in village and urban expansion, as a result of the rising populations. The project has been funded by the Arcadia Fund (www.arcadiafund.org.uk) based at the University of Oxford in collaboration with the Universities of Leicester and Durham.