National Museum of Iraq

National Museum of Iraq
Hussein A.Al-mukhtar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	National Museum of Iraq
Location	Baghdad, Iraq
Type	Archaeological museum
Established	1926
Founder	Gertrude Bell
Director	Iraq State Board of Antiquities and Heritage

National Museum of Iraq. The National Museum of Iraq is one of the most important museums in the Middle East, with a collection of artifacts that spans over 7,000 years of Mesopotamian history, from the Sumerian civilization to the Ottoman Empire. The museum was founded in 1926 by Gertrude Bell, a British archaeologist and diplomat, with the support of King Faisal I of Iraq and the Iraqi government. The museum's collection includes artifacts from Ur, Uruk, Babylon, and other ancient Mesopotamian cities, as well as artifacts from the Assyrian Empire, the Achaemenid Empire, and the Parthian Empire.

● History

The National Museum of Iraq was established in 1926, during the British Mandate for Mesopotamia, with the goal of preserving and showcasing the cultural heritage of Iraq. The museum's first director was Gertrude Bell, who played a key role in the development of the museum's collection, which includes artifacts from Nineveh, Nimrud, and other ancient Assyrian cities. The museum's collection also includes artifacts from the Sumerian city of Ur, which was excavated by Sir Leonard Woolley, a British archaeologist, in the 1920s and 1930s. The museum has also received artifacts from other museums, including the Louvre, the British Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as from excavations conducted by the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania.

● Collections

The National Museum of Iraq's collection includes over 170,000 artifacts, ranging from Sumerian tablets to Assyrian sculptures, and from Babylonian jewelry to Islamic ceramics. The museum's collection also includes artifacts from the Akkadian Empire, the Hittite Empire, and the Mongol Empire, as well as artifacts from the Ottoman Empire and the Safavid dynasty. The museum's collection of cuneiform tablets is one of the largest in the world, with over 10,000 tablets from Ur, Uruk, and other ancient Sumerian cities. The museum also has a large collection of Assyrian reliefs, including the famous Lion Hunt of Ashurbanipal, as well as a collection of Babylonian artifacts, including the Ishtar Gate and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

● Architecture

The National Museum of Iraq's building was designed by Rifat Chadirji, an Iraqi architect, in the 1960s. The building's design is inspired by Mesopotamian architecture, with a large courtyard and a series of galleries that showcase the museum's collection. The museum's building has undergone several renovations and expansions, including a major renovation in the 1980s, which was funded by the Iraqi government and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The museum's building is also home to the Iraq State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, which is responsible for the preservation and protection of Iraq's cultural heritage.

● Lootings_and_vandalism

The National Museum of Iraq suffered significant looting and vandalism during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, when thousands of artifacts were stolen or damaged. The looting was widely condemned by the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States Department of State. The museum's collection was also damaged during the Iraq War, when the museum was hit by a rocket attack. The looting and vandalism of the museum's collection was also condemned by archaeologists and museums around the world, including the British Museum, the Louvre, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

● Restoration_and_reconstruction

The National Museum of Iraq has undergone significant restoration and reconstruction efforts since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The museum's collection has been restored and conserved, and many of the stolen artifacts have been recovered. The museum's building has also been renovated and expanded, with the support of the Iraqi government and the international community. The museum's restoration and reconstruction efforts have been led by the Iraq State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, in partnership with UNESCO and other international organizations. The museum has also received support from donors around the world, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Monuments Fund.

● Exhibitions_and_programs

The National Museum of Iraq offers a range of exhibitions and programs, including temporary exhibitions on Mesopotamian history and culture, as well as permanent exhibitions on the museum's collection. The museum also offers educational programs for students and teachers, as well as guided tours of the museum's collection. The museum has also partnered with other museums and cultural institutions around the world, including the British Museum, the Louvre, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to develop exhibitions and programs on Mesopotamian history and culture. The museum has also hosted exhibitions on Iraqi art and culture, including exhibitions on Iraqi painting, sculpture, and photography.

● Administration_and_management

The National Museum of Iraq is administered and managed by the Iraq State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, which is responsible for the preservation and protection of Iraq's cultural heritage. The museum's director is appointed by the Iraqi government, and the museum's staff includes curators, conservators, and educators who are responsible for the care and management of the museum's collection. The museum also has a board of trustees that includes experts in Mesopotamian history and culture, as well as representatives from the Iraqi government and the international community. The museum's administration and management are also supported by donors and partners around the world, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Monuments Fund. Category:Museums in Iraq