Ten foreign teams join Iraq’s Dhi Qar archaeological season

Shafaq News- Dhi Qar

Ten foreign archaeological missions are participating in Dhi Qar province’s current excavation season, including four French teams scheduled to work at different sites during October, the province’s antiquities and heritage director told Shafaq News on Saturday.

Shamil Al-Rumaidh said Dhi Qar is one of Iraq’s richest provinces in archaeological heritage, with thousands of ancient sites and cities that continue to attract international excavation and research teams.

Read more: A race against time: Restoring Iraq's lost history

The first French mission, led by Philippe Quenet, has already begun work at Tell Mazid, while a second team headed by Regis Vallet is expected to arrive on October 14 to conduct excavations at the ancient city of Larsa. A third French mission, led by Johnny Samuele Baldi, will work at the Al-Uwayli archaeological site, while a fourth team headed by Sidonie Preiss will carry out excavations at Umm Al-Ajaj.

Read more: 150,000 archaeological sites, 556 tourists

Iraq currently hosts more than 50 foreign archaeological missions working on excavation, research, surveying and conservation projects, according to State Board of Antiquities and Heritage chief Ali Obeid Shalgham.

Read more: Discover Iraq: Dhi Qar, the forgotten gem of Mesopotamia