 Ishtar Gate, 1400 years old in danger from Iraqi oil pipelines. | |
No, this isn’t the mythical Babylon. It is the real city that was founded about 2 500 years ago and is often thought of the Cradle of Civilization for mankind. Some uncivilized behavior has ravaged Iraq in recent years with looting of the archeological treasures of Bagdad, but this despoiling comes about with the signing of contracts and the world demand for oil.
There are already oil pipelines snaking under the ancient city. Now there is a move afoot to pierce the walls of Babil Fortress with another oil conduit. Compared to the older parts of Babylon, the fortress is a relative newcomer, at only about 1 400 years old. The fortress has witnessed the rise and fall of the empires of Mesopotamia, Islam, Assyrian and Roman, but piercing the walls with steel could well bring down the delicate structure.
“Penetrating the wall of the Fortress will cause direct damage to large parts of the castle and could lead to its demolition," Qais Hussein Rashid, chairman of the independent heritage organization, told AKnews.
"It will also be exposed to the dangers of environmental pollution and exclude Babil from the World Heritage List.”uruknet.info
As foreign troops leave Iraq to govern itself once more, archeologists are flocking back to the ancient sites to explore and record man’s early history. Unfortunately, many of the powerful in the country discount the value of history in their search for oil money. Caretakers of the site have tried to prevent construction work from proceeding but have failed. The General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage has launched a lawsuit against the Oil Projects Committee in an effort to stop further damage from occurring.
Petroleum reserves can bring wealth to a country as there seems to be an insatiable appetite for the product. As many have found too late, the riches go to a few, often foreign people and corporations, leaving a devastated landscape and culture.
There are already oil pipelines snaking under the ancient city. Now there is a move afoot to pierce the walls of Babil Fortress with another oil conduit. Compared to the older parts of Babylon, the fortress is a relative newcomer, at only about 1 400 years old. The fortress has witnessed the rise and fall of the empires of Mesopotamia, Islam, Assyrian and Roman, but piercing the walls with steel could well bring down the delicate structure.
“Penetrating the wall of the Fortress will cause direct damage to large parts of the castle and could lead to its demolition," Qais Hussein Rashid, chairman of the independent heritage organization, told AKnews.
"It will also be exposed to the dangers of environmental pollution and exclude Babil from the World Heritage List.”uruknet.info
As foreign troops leave Iraq to govern itself once more, archeologists are flocking back to the ancient sites to explore and record man’s early history. Unfortunately, many of the powerful in the country discount the value of history in their search for oil money. Caretakers of the site have tried to prevent construction work from proceeding but have failed. The General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage has launched a lawsuit against the Oil Projects Committee in an effort to stop further damage from occurring.
Petroleum reserves can bring wealth to a country as there seems to be an insatiable appetite for the product. As many have found too late, the riches go to a few, often foreign people and corporations, leaving a devastated landscape and culture.
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