Iraq

During the 2003 war, archaeological sites and museums, such as the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad, are looted. The reopening takes place in 2015, partly with holdings of the Mosul Museum, which has also been attacked.

What is considered cultural property in Iraq?

Antiquities protected in Iraq include more than 200-year-old movable and immovable objects built, made, sculpted, created, written, drawn or photographed by humans. The term antiquities also includes all human or animal skeletons as well as plant fossils. Protected objects of cultural heritage are movable and immovable objects that are less than 200 years old and have a historical, national, religious or artistic value indicated by ministerial decree.

What are the export regulations?

The sale, gifting or exporting of antiquities and cultural heritage out of Iraq is prohibited. Within the framework of the statutory provisions, there are exceptions for the Authority for Antiquities and Cultural Heritage: It may temporarily export protected cultural property for research, conservation and exhibition purposes.

What sanctions are there?

The sale, gifting or exporting of antiquities and cultural heritage out of Iraq is prohibited. Within the framework of the statutory provisions, there are exceptions for the Authority for Antiquities and Cultural Heritage: It may temporarily export protected cultural property for research, conservation and exhibition purposes.

Chronology of cultural property protection laws

  • 1869
    Edict of Safiet Pasha, Vizier of the Ottoman Empire
    Edict on the collection of antiquities in Constantinople and the introduction of an export ban
  • 1874
    Ottoman Antiquities Law
    Regulation of the movement of excavated antiquities and the division of finds
  • 1884
    Ottoman Antiquities Law
    Regulation of the trade in antiquities; excavations as well as excavation licenses must be applied for
  • 1924
    Law under British Mandate
    Rules and regulations for conducting excavations
  • 1936
    – 1975
    Antiquities Law No. 59
    Reporting obligation for archaeological finds and regulations on trade and excavation licenses
  • 1967
    The Hague Convention of 1954
    Protection of the cultural property of countries in the event of armed conflicts
  • 2002
    Law No. 55 on Antiquities and Heritage of Iraq
    In order to preserve Iraq’s cultural heritage, the existing regulations are tightened and expanded

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