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Source: Reuters -
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Iraq appealed to other nations to help save its archaeological
treasures from ruin, saying ancient Babylonian and Assyrian
artefacts and priceless medieval Islamic monuments were at risk
without more funds.
Iraq, which the ancient Greeks called Mesopotamia or 'land between
two rivers' because of its Tigris and Euphrates, is regarded by
archaeologists as the cradle of civilisation.
Many believe it gave birth to such milestones of human development
as agriculture, codified law and the wheel.
But historic sites have been woefully neglected and damaged by
decades of war, sanctions and looting.
Iraqi officials say they need to spend millions of dollars to
reverse the damage.
Iraqi officials are hoping a sharp improvement in security will
draw Western tourists to ancient sites like the biblical city of
Babylon, home to King Nebuchadnezzar's Hanging Gardens.
"International support is badly needed to complete works of
maintenance, rehabilitation and training," said Qahtan al-Jiboubi,
Iraq's Minister of Tourism of Antiquities.
High on the list is the national museum in Baghdad, once a trove of
ancient artefacts which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while
US troops stood by.
Around 6,000 items out of the approximately 15,000 which were
stolen when order collapsed after the fall of Saddam Hussein were
back on display in February.
Officials from Greece, Egypt and Italy, each of which has much
experience managing their own antiquities, attended a meeting in
Baghdad to launch Iraq's appeal for help.
There has already been some international assistance.
Italy rehabilitated two museum exhibition halls from the
Assyrian and Islamic periods.
The United States has donated cash to the museum and to help
restore Babylon, which was looted, rebuilt by Saddam in a cavalier
fashion and used as military base since 2003.
The head of Iraq's tourism and antiquities board, Qais Hussein,
said target sites included the al-Hadba minaret and ancient city of
Namroud in Mosul, the medieval Islamic city of Samarra and an
historic minaret in western Anbar province.
He estimated each site would cost almost a million dollars.
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