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Popular Archaeology Iraq's archaeological treasures are facing a crisis. Loss and damage are becoming an increasing concern for both Iraq and the world. As Iraq's government continues its efforts to rebuild an economy ravaged by years of war and sanctions, local architects and historians gathered to express concern for the country's cultural heritage sites, which they say are neglected and in need of preservation nationwide. For many years, we have talked about the importance of maintaining historical centers and buildings spread across Iraqi cities, said architect Hisham al-Medfai. But unfortunately, the government did not respond to these calls. Medfai pointed out that only 200 old houses remain in the eastern half of Baghdad after hundreds were replaced by new shopping centers, the result of a lack of planning. Historian Salim al-Alusi spoke about the pre-Islamic historical centers in west Baghdad, which he said the government has no interest in maintaining. According to a report by Reuters, heritage experts are hoping to classify and protect an estimated 20,000 sites before they are damaged by government agencies. So far, about 12,000 archaeological sites have been discovered, including some 700 in Baghdad, but heritage officials say they are regularly exposed to damaging incursions. The state's projects will not stop. On the contrary they are increasing, said Nuri Kadhim, head of the Baghdad Antiquities department. I expect many violations to take place unless there is an instruction from the government to demand agreements (with the heritage board) before starting these projects. Last month, international headlines were again made at Babylon, where a recently constructed oil pipeline is the focus of a dispute between heritage experts and oil ministry officials. According to the Arab States Unit at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the 1,500-meter-long pipeline crosses under the archaeological site in an area that - like much of the famed ancient city - has never been excavated. There may be antiquities just centimeters below the ground, Mariam Omran Musa, who manages Babylon for the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, told the Agence France-Presse. The antiquities at these sites have not yet been fully discovered, just like the rest of the historical landmark. With its long history of civilization and abundance of archaeological sites, Iraq is a country that offers great potential for tourism, but the vast majority of government revenues still come from oil. Rapidly rising oil exports continue to provide much-needed income to fund the rebuilding of Iraq's dilapidated infrastructure, but heritage officials say not enough is being spent on preserving the country's ancient sites. Oil and antiquities are both national wealth, Musa said, but I have an opinion: When the oil is gone, we will still have antiquities.
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