{"id":1642,"date":"2015-06-13T13:56:19","date_gmt":"2015-06-13T12:56:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/engagement-and-impact\/?p=1642"},"modified":"2025-02-21T15:25:25","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T15:25:25","slug":"saving-cultural-heritage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/engagement-and-impact\/saving-cultural-heritage\/","title":{"rendered":"Saving cultural heritage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Protecting and enhancing the cultural heritage of Iraq<\/h2>\n

Professor Roger Matthews and Dr Wendy Matthews are working to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Iraq \u2013 often called the cradle of civilisation. Central to their work are partnerships, on the ground in Iraq with local antiquities staff; nationally, with the Iraqi government; and internationally, with the United Nations and other bodies. All have a common aim \u2013 to address urgent and long-term threats to Iraq\u2019s globally important cultural heritage.<\/p>\n

Preserving Iraq’s rich cultural heritage<\/h3>\n

Professor and Dr Matthews are building on more than 30 years of research and academic engagement with the archaeology of Iraq, including\u00a0the Central Zagros Archaeological Project (CZAP). CZAP\u2019s world-leading research into early village and farming life in the Fertile Crescent has led to\u00a0local and global public engagement, with plans underway to redevelop \u2013 complete with smart phone apps and online resources \u2013 the Iraq Prehistory Gallery in Slemani Museum, one of the most active museums in Iraq.<\/p>\n

Educating and engaging the public<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Professor and Dr Matthews see collaborative activities with Iraqi colleagues as the best way of educating and engaging the public. To that end, collaboration occurs not just with the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage and other government officials but also with Sulaimaniyah Directorate of Antiquities, Slemani Museum, Sulaimaniyah University, Sulaimaniyah Polytechnic University and the Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage, as well as Reading\u2019s MERL and the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute.<\/p>\n

Beyond this, the Matthews work on the ground in\u00a0Iraq, excavating each year at Bestansur and\u00a0building skills in archaeology and heritage protection among Iraqi antiquities staff and university students.<\/p>\n

The benefits of collaboration<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The benefits are numerous.\u00a0Iraqi public and local businesses, farmers and NGOs, local refugee camps, and national and international visitors to Iraq derive an enhanced appreciation and understanding of the significance and diversity of Iraq\u2019s cultural heritage and environment. There is an economic benefit through increased tourism, local and national.<\/p>\n

New themes and narratives connect with contemporary audiences, including children in Iraq and those in the UK. This results in enhanced understanding of Iraq and the Middle East\u2019s global role in shaping everyday life in the origins of humans, farming, settled life, early cities, literacy and mathematics, technology and crafts, networks and the environment.<\/p>\n

Professor Matthews has worked with military planners to address threats to Iraqi sites and co-authored a report for the UN on the destruction of Mosul\u2019s heritage. He also meets with\u00a0Iraqi diplomats in London, New York, Paris and Geneva and with Iraqi government ministers, to advise on measures to protect the heritage of Mosul in its recent liberation.<\/p>\n

Lobbying for change<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Supported by a German lawyer, Mr Se\u00e1n Fobbe, Professor Matthews is lobbying the Iraqi government for its accession to a range of international treaties relevant to cultural heritage, including the Second Protocol of the Hague Convention. Professor Matthews is also assisting the Iraqi government in matters relating to the UN Human Rights Council, with a focus on the development of Iraq\u2019s cultural rights.<\/p>\n

Fast Facts<\/h3>\n