U.S. Will Allocate $ 2 Million for Restoration of Ancient Monuments in Iraq

U.S. gives $ 2 million for the restoration of the architectural heritage of Iraq, where since 2003 waged all-out war, reports RIA Novosti. “Ishtar Gate, built in the VI century BC, is one of the monuments of ancient Babylon in modern Iraq, the preservation and restoration which will be allocated $ 2 million from a special fund U.S. ambassadors for the conservation of cultural property. Established by Congress a decade ago, the fund should support his work on 645 projects around the world to demonstrate respect for the U.S. to the cultural heritage of other countries “- stated in the State Department. «IV of IV century BC, Babylon was one of the largest cities. Situated on the southern Mesopotamian city was the capital of empires kings Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar. Place where the gate of Ishtar, the Palace and the inner walls of the city is now in urgent need of serious restoration.

The project, which allocate money to the U.S. includes both own work on the restoration and training for local archaeologists, as well as studies of modern weather conditions, affecting the monuments. Recall that in 2009 the report of the International Coordinating Committee of UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Iraq said that troops of international coalition forces in Iraq led by the U.S. have caused serious damage to the world famous archaeological complex of ancient Babylon.

As stated in the report, from April 2003 to December 2004, this archaeological site was used by coalition forces led by the U.S. as a military base. The report states that as a result of thoughtless actions of military from the anti-Iraq coalition of Babylon was serious damage caused by “digging ditches, excavation, movement and leveling the ground.” Among the most affected main structures were the famous Ishtar Gate and the process path.

According to the report prepared in 2005 by the British Museum, “it’s like to build a military camp around the Great Pyramid in Egypt or around Stonehenge in England.”

The report also notes that some damage was caused to Babylon and the Construction of the palace for Saddam Hussein, which was planned as part of archaeological work on the restoration of the city in 1978-1987, respectively.

During the 2003 war archaeological complex was looted, plundered antiquities looters – both locals and soldiers of the coalition. Many of the exhibits of museums Nebuchadnezzar and Hammurabi, the Babylonian value of libraries and archives were looted and destroyed. Only in 2005 the complex was returned to the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage of Iraq.

Now, according to experts, the main problems are the result of neglect and deficiencies in the maintenance of the monument.” “The restored buildings of Babylon were still in poor condition, in particular, this applies to the temples Ninmah, Nabu-sha-Harry, Ishtar, his home and the Southern Palace of Nebuchadnezzar. All of them are in urgent need of assistance “- the document says.

The final report also contains a list of recommendations, among them – prepare a plan for preserving the monument, urgent repair of severely affected structures and facilities, as well as measures necessary for the entry of Babylon in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The report is based on estimates of the world’s leading experts in the field of history and archeology. In its preparation have been involved forces of the major scientific centers such as the British Museum, the Center for archaeological research and excavations in Turin, and others.

Babylon, located 90 km south of Baghdad, was the capital of two famous kings of antiquity – Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC), who introduced one of the world’s first legal codes, and Nebuchadnezzar (604-562 BC. Oe.), who created the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Inner City covers an area of 2.99 square kilometers, the outer walls surrounding the area, located to the west and east of the Euphrates River, in restricted area of 9.56 square kilometers. Declared an archaeological monument in 1935, the city became part is available through excavations. But much of ancient Babylon are still hidden under the ground.