Babylonia Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The ancient Iraqi city of Babylon, which found mention in a clay tablet of the 23rd century BC is finally, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site recently, after a vote that followed decades of lobbying by Iraq.

This year UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting was held at Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The vote in the meeting also made the ancient Mesopotamian city on the Euphrates River as the sixth world heritage site within the borders of a country also known as a cradle of civilization.

President of Iraq Barham Salih has welcomed the UNESCO’s decision saying the city, now an archaeological ruin, is now returned to its ‘rightful place’ in history after years of neglect by previous leaders. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said, “Mesopotamia is truly the pillar of humanity’s memory and the cradle of civilization in recorded history”. The government also assured that it would allocate more funds to maintain and boost conservation efforts. 

Babylon, which is about 85 kilometres south of Baghdad, was once the centre of a sprawling empire known for its towers and mud brick temples. Its hanging gardens are one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, commissioned by King Nebuchadnezzar II.

Visitors can view through the remnants of the brick and clay structures, which are spread across 10 square kilometres. Visitors can also see the famed Lion of Babylon statue, as well as large portions of the original Ishtar Gate. 

On the day it was declared World Heritage Site, residents and activists flocked to the replica Ishtar gate at the entrance of the sites to celebrate the historic moment.

Marina al-Khafaji, a local said, “This is very important, because Babylon will now be a protected site” adding that the designation would now boost tourism and the local economy.

Makki Mohammad Farhoud, a tour guide at the site for more than 25 years says that it would allow further exploration and research, noting that only 18% of it had been excavated, adding “Babylon is the blood that runs through my veins, I love it more than I love my children”.

The excavations work of which was once regarded as the largest city in the world began at the start of the 19th century by European archaeologists, who then removed many artefacts. In the 1970s, during the regime of President Saddam Hussein restoration begun, but the southern palace walls and arches that were rebuilt over the existing ruins again caused widespread damage.

In 2003 during the US-led invasion on Iraq, the US and Polish troops stationed nearby built their military base over the Babylonian ruins. Many inscriptions written by soldiers can still be seen on the ancient bricks. 

Unlike three other World Heritage sites in Iraq, UNESCO did not designate Babylon as one ‘in danger’ after objections from the Iraqi delegation. Iraq has thousands of archaeological sites, many of which were heavily damaged by Islamic State during its barbaric 3-year rule that ended in 2017. The other five World Heritage Sites in Iraq are the southern marshlands, Samarra, Hatra, Ashur and the citadel in Erbil, which is also the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.