Iraq’s Commitment to Display Recovered Artifacts in Secure Museum Halls

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has announced the establishment of fortified exhibition halls for displaying recovered artifacts. This includes items from the Central Bank of Iraq and repatriated artifacts. The initiative emphasizes preserving Iraq’s rich cultural heritage and enhancing museum infrastructure to attract global interest.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has announced the establishment of fortified exhibition halls dedicated to the display of recovered antiquities. This initiative includes artifacts previously stored at the Central Bank of Iraq, as well as items repatriated from abroad. Al-Sudani visited the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad on Thursday to inaugurate an exhibition featuring these historical treasures.

During his visit, al-Sudani evaluated the museum’s storage facilities, which currently house the renowned Nimrud Treasure alongside other significant antiquities that had been stored at the Central Bank since the 1990s. These historical artifacts were recently transferred to the museum and will be showcased in a specially designed hall to ensure their preservation and public accessibility.

The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s dedication to protecting Iraq’s rich cultural heritage, highlighting the vital historical importance of Mesopotamian civilizations. He sought to dispel concerns about the potential loss or disappearance of such treasures, particularly the Nimrud Treasure, assuring that the artifacts would be secured in high-security halls with advanced preservation standards, thereby enhancing the museum’s infrastructure.

Notable items set to be displayed include the Nimrud Treasure, which features gold jewelry from the Neo-Assyrian period (911–612 BCE), a statue of Gudea from ancient Lagash (2144–2124 BCE), and a bronze mask of King Sargon of Akkad (2370–2230 BCE). Additionally, recently recovered artifacts from various countries encompass over 6,000 cuneiform tablets, stone slabs, cylinder seals, diverse coinage, figurines, and significant findings from the Royal Cemetery of Ur among other items.

In summary, the allocation of secure exhibition halls by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani highlights Iraq’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. The announcement comes alongside the ongoing efforts to display recently repatriated artifacts, including the historically significant Nimrud Treasure. This initiative aims not only to safeguard these cultural treasures but also to enhance the museum’s infrastructure and promote global interest in Iraq’s rich history.

Original Source: shafaq.com