Iraq's archaeological sites face neglect despite potential to boost economy, experts say
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities hasconfirmed the existence of approximately 18,000 archaeological sites across thecountry, but specialists estimate that only 10% of these sites have beenexcavated. Despite this, many sites are marred by neglect and lack ofdevelopment opportunities to contribute significantly to the economy.
Fadel al-Badrani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism,and Antiquities, told Shafaq News, "There are around 18,000 archaeologicalsites in Iraq. The ministry's Antiquities and Heritage Department is makingconsiderable efforts in excavation and in cracking down on encroachments onarchaeological areas, bolstered by a strict Antiquities Law that does nottolerate violations."
Al-Badrani added that through efforts by the ministry and diplomaticchannels, Iraq had recovered around 24,000 looted and smuggled artifacts by2024, following widespread looting during the chaos of the 2003 US-led invasionand subsequent occupation of Iraq.
The ministry has a broad plan in place to transform archaeological sitesinto tourist attractions, drawing visitors from within Iraq and abroad,including from Arab and foreign countries. For example, the Great Ziggurat ofUr in the Dhi Qar governorate and the remnants of Babylonian civilization inthe Babil Governorate have seen restoration efforts.
The ministry has also reintroduced lakes and is working on establishingrestaurants and tourist facilities at these locations. Excavations andinfrastructure development are ongoing at various sites to enhance tourismservices for visitors.
Dr. Mohammad Ouda al-Obaidi, President of the Iraqi Tourist GuidesSyndicate, pointed out that "Iraq possesses numerous archaeological andhistorical sites, but only 10% have been discovered. There is, however, clearand widespread neglect of the archaeological sector in Baghdad and othergovernorates, at a time when many countries rely heavily on tourism for their economies."
Al-Obaidi told Shafaq News that many historical areas in Baghdad faceencroachments from both local residents and government projects, which have hada detrimental impact on archaeological materials. He added, "In Baghdad,large historical landmarks such as the Arch of Ctesiphon are severelyneglected, with even the road leading to it poorly maintained. The same goesfor the Bab al-Wastani and Aqar Quf areas, as well as the many ancient mosquesscattered across the city."
Al-Obaidi continued, "This neglect of vital tourist assets couldotherwise revitalize and activate the tourism sector if properly managed. As aresult, we call on the relevant authorities to support these areas and promotethem as tourist destinations to optimize their potential."
Tourism is a key pillar of the local economy for countries that developtheir economies through the tourism sector or consider it a vital contributorto GDP, according to economic researcher Ahmed Eid.
Eid told Shafaq News that "archaeological sites play a criticalrole in supporting the economy, both directly and indirectly. One of theprimary economic benefits of such sites is their ability to create jobs andsupport local communities by reducing unemployment."
Eid also stressed that investing in archaeological sites in remoteregions, governorates, and villages can provide economic opportunities forresidents, fostering population stability and creating an economic environmentdriven by tourism activities such as restaurants, hotels, and recreationalfacilities.
However, in Iraq, the situation is markedly different, Eid noted, with"severe neglect and a lack of development for archaeological sites,leading to their deterioration or alteration. This violates global heritageregulations, which call for the preservation of historical and archaeologicallandmarks."
According to academic expert Mohammad al-Rubaie, encroachments on Iraqiarchaeological sites are not new but have worsened since 2003 due to thecountry's security situation. "Many sites in Babylon, Nasiriyah, Mosul,Saladin, and Diyala have been encroached upon, as identified by the GlobalHeritage Authority."
Al-Rubaie emphasized the importance of educating residents living neararchaeological sites about the dangers of disturbing or using these lands."Studies should be conducted, and funds allocated to unearth undiscoveredartifacts using advanced techniques to accurately locate archaeological sitesand prevent further encroachments."
