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Ancient Iraq, often called the ‘cradle of civilization’, was the birthplace of cities, writing and the wheel. After the 2003 invasion of Iraq by coalition forces, the National Museum of Iraq in Baghdad was looted and ongoing, large-scale looting continues at archaeological sites. This destruction has been devastating to Iraq’s past, and ultimately the world’s cultural heritage.
This exhibition explores the current threats to Iraq’s past, alongside Sumerian, Assyrian, and Babylonian artefacts from our collection, which illustrate the importance of the country’s endangered archaeology, including a stunning palace relief depicting the Assyrian king.
A lecture series has been organised in conjunction with the exhibition. Click on the links below for full details:
The Iraq Museum 2003- 2012: Challenges and Achievements
Dr Lamia al-Gailani Werr, Independent scholar
2 August 2012
Cradle of Civilisation, Navel of the World: why Iraqi cultural heritage matters
Dr Eleanor Robson, University of Cambridge and Chair, British Institute for the Study of Iraq
14 August 2012
The trade in Illicit of antiquity - Iraq a case study
Dr Neil Brodie, Glasgow University
21 August 2012
The aftermath of the 2003 invasion and the UK’s continuing failure to ratify the 1954 Hague Convention
Professor Peter Stone, Newcastle University
28 August 2012 
 This exhibition has been organised in partnership with Newcastle University.