In response to the recent looting of Iraqi museums and other cultural institutions, the AIA has formed a Task Force on the Cultural Heritage of Iraq, chaired by AIA President, Jane Waldbaum. We are working with the State Department, other branches of the U.S. government, and other cultural organizations to assist in the restoration of artifacts and manuscripts stolen from Iraq. Intervention must be swift in order to ensure that the antiquities are recovered prior to their removal from Iraq, or rapidly repatriated if they have left the country. The AIA’s Declaration on the Protection of Iraq’s Cultural Heritage, written in March, was communicated to the Department of Defense before the war began. Another letter specifically urging the protection of Iraqi cultural heritage sites and museums against looting was sent to the White House, the Department of Defense and the Department of State on April 9, days before the looting began. Secretary of State Colin Powell has now announced his support for the restoration of the museums and their contents. Updates on the Task Force’s progress will be posted on this website, as will any information about the recovery/repatriation of the antiquities of Iraq.

The AIA is compiling a list of scholars and others with expertise on the archaeological and cultural heritage of Iraq and who would be able to respond to various needs regarding the cultural heritage crisis in Iraq. Information on participating is available online.

A discussion board on Looting of Cultural Heritage in Iraq has just been established. This forum is intended to facilitate the exchange of ideas regarding the recovery and repatriation of dispersed antiquities, as well as the rebuilding of Iraqi cultural facilities and institutions.