• Address:

    Erbil citadel, Iraq

  • Client:

    Czech Foreign Ministry

  • Description of the work:

    Archaeological and Conservation Survey and Course

  • Realization:

    2006

With the support of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a pilot project was prepared for the Erbil Citadel. The intention of the project was to carry out a basic survey, thereby laying the foundations for the future systematic archaeological investigation of this valuable site, the gradual rescue and restoration of its monuments.

An archaeological and conservation survey of the Erbil citadel, one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the world, was conducted in September and October 2006. Experts from the Department of Archaeology of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, the National Heritage Institute in Prague and the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Czech Technical University participated in the project provided by GEMA ART.

The project included an archaeological field seminar/course for local experts and archaeology students from Salahaddin University in Erbil. In 2006, Czech archaeologists were the first foreign experts to be allowed to participate in the scientific exploration of this valuable site.

In addition to the course, a significant part of the project was focused on a comprehensive survey of the citadel. The work included geophysical, architectural-historical and restoration surveys and documentation, including 3D documentation using photogrammetry.

The final report, submitted to the Kurdistan Regional Government, laid the foundation for the preservation of the site. The project initiated the establishment of a autonomous commission for the future Erbil citadel revitalization and the intention to establish an archaeological and documentation center for the citadel.

The Erbil citadel has been later included by the UNESCO in the World Heritage List at 21 June 2014.