Field Visit Highlights Climate Threats to Aqar Quf Ziggurat

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities organised a field visit to the historic Aqar Quf Ziggurat to document the impact of climate change on archaeological heritage sites and promote women’s participation in heritage protection efforts.

The visit was arranged by the Ministry’s Women’s Affairs Department in cooperation with the Climate Change Committee, with support from the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage and the volunteer initiative Pure Iraq.

Head of the Climate Change Committee and Director General of the Convention Palace Department, Dr Muntasir Al-Hasnawi, attended the visit and emphasised that climate change represents a growing threat to archaeological sites. He noted that soil erosion, fluctuations in humidity levels, as well as rising temperatures pose direct and indirect risks to historic structures.

Al-Hasnawi stated that the ministry is working to develop scientific recommendations, strategic plans based on field monitoring and specialised studies, aimed at implementing sustainable solutions that preserve the authenticity and cultural value of Iraq’s historical sites.

For his part, site supervisor Harith Jassim said climate change has become an increasingly serious challenge for heritage protection, calling for coordinated scientific, technical and institutional cooperation to safeguard Iraq’s cultural legacy for future generations.

The initiative also highlighted the importance of empowering women to play an active role in protecting national heritage and supporting environmental awareness efforts related to cultural preservation.

Source: Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities