Annex 1
Letter from the All-Party Parliamentary
Group on Archaeology to the Prime Minister,
dated 11 February 2003
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
IN IRAQ
We are writing to ask that, in the event of
military intervention, some attention be given to the problem
of archaeological sites and museums in Iraq. We understand of
course that military considerations will be the top priority,
along with humanitarian concerns. But there are many archaeological
sites in Iraq, many of which date back to the earliest roots of
our civilisation in Mesopotamia, which may be at risk, as well
as important museums vulnerable to looting in the event of civil
disorder.
We enclose a note from the Chairman of the British
School of Archaeology in Iraq, Dr Harriet Crawford, currently
based in London, which summarises the range of points we should
wish to make.
We should be glad to discuss this further either
at ministerial or official level, along with Dr Crawford.
Note from the Chairman of the British
School of Archaeology in Iraq
THE RECONSTRUCTION
OF IRAQ
— The heritage of Iraq has considerable
potential for the crucial task of forging national unity in Iraq,
a country with no natural borders and an extremely disparate population
which is in severe danger of splitting into a number of warring
segments. All these groups do however share a common pride in
their past, a pride which was successfully exploited by Saddam
Hussein.
— The history and archaeology of the
country are of major global significance: Iraq is the source of
many aspects of Western culture as we know it today.
— The archaeological and historical
remains are a non-renewable resource.
For all these reasons it is extremely desirable
that any reconstruction plans include some provision for safeguarding
the archaeological sites, the standing monuments and the artefacts
in museums and private collections.
The immediate need
Guards to be placed on major monuments and museums
to prevent looting and illicit digging. The former was a major
problem at the end of the Gulf war.
It will also be necessary to alert border patrols
and border guards to the possibility of large-scale smuggling
of illicitly obtained antiquities. Such activities are currently
well documented. Structural assessments may need to be carried
out on any damaged monuments to ensure their safety.
The National Museum already has a desperate
need for materials to allow them to carry out essential conservation
on extremely important items in their collections which have suffered
badly from twelve years of sanctions when even the most basic
chemicals and equipment were unavailable.
The medium term needs
A major new dam on the upper Tigris is threatening
a minimum of 60 sites which include the major Assyrian sites of
Ashur and Kar-Tikulti-Ninurta. An independent feasibility study
needs to be undertaken to determine the country's real need for
irrigation water and to minimise the damage to the heritage. Consideration
might be given to setting up an international rescue operation
to examine as many sites as possible before they are flooded.
Great damage has been done to the marshes of
southern Iraq by major drainage projects thus virtually wiping
out a unique ecological niche and a unique way of life. A study
is needed to assess the possibility of reversing this process.
In the longer term the antiquities of Iraq could
become an important economic asset as tourism and especially Arab
tourism begins to expand.
| 
