Media Release: 9 March 2015
PROTECTION OF HERITAGE IN IRAQ
The Executive Committee and members of the World Archaeological Congress (WAC) join other archaeological and cultural heritage organizations in denouncing the recent destruction of ancient artifacts at the Mosul Museum and architecture at Nimrud in Iraq. As noted in the recently published WAC Dead Sea Accord on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, it is a foundational belief of WAC that the expression and preservation of culture, both tangible and intangible, are basic human rights. Material culture informs our collective and individual identities and reflects the histories and experiences of humanity. Therefore the destruction of antiquities at the Mosul Museum and Nimrud has caused lasting harm to the people of Iraq and the entire world.
WAC calls on its membership to assist archaeological and other communities in this time of need by offering preservation assistance or other help. We also call on States and other parties to bolster and support legislation, at all levels, aimed at protecting the human right to culture and cultural heritage.
Finally, WAC wishes to highlight the roles cultural heritage can play in reconciliation and education in today’s world riddled with conflicts. Cultural heritage is the embodiment of human experiences that include suffering from, coming to terms with, and solving conflicts of various natures and scales. We should put our knowledge and efforts together to prevent the destruction of cultural heritage of this nature from happening again and protect our common human heritage.
Link: WAC Dead Sea Accord
Further Information:
Koji Mizoguchi, President
mizog@scs.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Background: The World Archaeological Congress (WAC) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization and is the only elected international body of practicing archaeologists. WAC holds an international congress every four years to promote the exchange of the results of archaeological research; professional training and public education for disadvantaged nations, groups and communities; the empowerment and betterment of Indigenous groups and First Nations peoples; and the conservation of archaeological sites.