Erbil-INA
The General Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage in the Kurdistan Region announced on Tuesday a major archaeological discovery in Erbil Province, describing it as exceptional evidence of ancient siege warfare and large-scale destruction dating back thousands of years, while stressing efforts to enhance national cooperation in the sector.
Kaifi Mustafa, Director General of Antiquities and Heritage in the Kurdistan Region, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "a research team from the University of Central Florida, in coordination with the directorate, has made significant discoveries at the (Kurde Cemetery) site, located approximately 20 kilometres from the historic Erbil Citadel."
He added that "the findings include rare evidence of life during the Middle Bronze Age, where the team uncovered 20 cuneiform tablets and more than 100 administrative seals within the destruction layers of the eastern palace of the lower city."
He said that "these results present archaeological record documenting wars of siege and massive destruction in the region, as well as the presence of mass graves, confirming that the cities of northern Mesopotamia possessed an advanced and fortified civilization with significant political influence."
On administrative structure and surveying work, he noted that "the directorate manages a wide network of offices across all governorates of the region, in addition to supervisory units in districts and sub-districts with archaeological significance."
He explained that "the region officially records more than 6,000 archaeological sites and over 260 heritage sites, including temples, buildings and historic bridges. The directorate applies international standards in classifying sites older than 100 years as heritage and those exceeding 200 years as archaeological."
Regarding financial aspects, Mustafa said that "logistical support is good, but financial support is very weak," noting that "archaeological sites in the region have suffered neglect over the past century."
He stressed that "establishing an independent authority for antiquities and heritage is the best solution to ensure more specialized and effective work."
On cooperation with the federal government, he said the directorate "continually seeks coordination with the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage in the federal government and aspires to joint scientific and financial support," stressing that "archaeological work must be based on a unified national database for all Iraq."
He added that "there is good coordination with local and international universities, but we aim for support mechanisms that enable Iraqi universities to obtain excavation opportunities and research grants on par with foreign institutions."
He also said that "the directorate has ambitious strategic plans to transform archaeological sites into tourism and economic resources serving the region and Iraq as a whole," noting that "rehabilitation and maintenance works are carried out under special laws to preserve this cultural heritage for future generations, in coordination with the relevant tourism authorities."
