Mar. 3 – The Italian-Iraqi mission Abu Tbeirah, in southern Iraq, is an excavation campaign coordinated by Professor Franco D’ Agostino of the University La Sapienza of Rome; but it is not just a scientific project but also an adventure in a very different land, digging its way out of war. “This campaign has two objectives, the first is scientific: to explore a still untouched area; the second is to kick off projects of this scope after years of war – said to 9Colonne Professor D’Agostino during the presentation of the campaign’s results – In this sense, delving into the is a way to build the future.” The last excavation campaign focused on the ancient city of Ur, a site dating back to 2600-2200 BC, at that time located near the Euphrates. The proximity to the river enabled the city to thrive under different dynasties. The archaeological site has nearly 2000 funerary monuments, among which the ruins of a massive ziggurat and a temple dedicated to Nanna, the moon deity in Sumerian mythology. “Ur is a symbol of Iraq’s culture and history; and in the near future it will definitely be one of the most visited places in Iraq and the Middle East.” The mission, funded by the University La Sapienza and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the support of individual donors, is divided into several excavation campaigns, the first of which started in 2012. The team is composed of 5 archaeologists and other experts, as well as several students from La Sapienza and local universities. “After the mission, we brought back 120 kilograms of materials that need to be analyzed. So we still have a lot of work – said the professor – and then in September we will continue with another three-month campaign. If God is willing, as they say in Iraq, there is still work to do.”
