Since 2009 the Orient-Department of the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) has conducted training measures in archaeological documentation at the city of Erbil, Federal Region of Kurdistan, Iraq. The activities take place in the framework of an ODA project (Official Development Assistance), financed by the German Federal Foreign Office. (Further informations)

The work jointly carried out with the Directorate of Antiquities, Erbil, focused on the systematic and complete recording of a grave chamber of the Neo- to post-Assyrian periods (ca. 8th to 6th centuries BC) which had been excavated by local archaeologists in 2008. The pertaining residential architecture was subject to archaeological excavations.
Above these layers remains of at least two cemeteries have been recovered. They have been dated to the Achaemenid and Sassanian periods, respectively.

Upon invitation by the Directorate of Antiquities, Erbil, objects from the grave chamber and from the excavation have been put on display in a double showcase in the Museum of Civilizations, Erbil.
The showcase was presented to the public on December 5th, in the presence of the German Consul General, Mr Rolf Ulrich.

According to the Director of Antiquities, Erbil, Mr Haydar Hussein, this event illustrates the “excellent cooperation between the Directorate of Antiquities in Erbil and the German Archaeological Institute”.
The German Consul General considered the opening of the showcase a “a very pleasant moment, since it is a very positive sign for our cultural cooperation”.

„The fact that the objects have been exhibited – almost coming directly from the excavation, honours the successful cooperation between the two partners”, says Dr Arnulf Hausleiter, who directed the local excavations on behalf of the DAI.

The head of the project, Dr Dr h.c. Margarete van Ess, scientific director at the Institute’s Orient-Department, it is a welcome occasion to recall the context of the current research. “With our work in Erbil we continue those investigations which had been undertaken in the 1970s in Northern Iraq”.

The German Archaeological Institute’s branch in Baghdad was founded in 1955, and it has conducted numerous research projects in Iraq, such as in the Sumerian metropolis Uruk/Warka.

Contact:     
Dr. Dr. h.c. Margarete van Ess mve@orient.dainst.de (DAI Orient-Department, Berlin)
Dr. Arnulf Hausleiter arh@dainst.de (DAI Orient-Department, Berlin)
Mr Günther Liebhart rk-1@erbi.diplo.de (German Consulate General, Erbil)

Date:

Downloads

pm20111222_erbil_en.pdf