Ten foreign teams join Iraq’s Dhi Qar archaeological season

Shafaq News- Dhi Qar (Updated at 22:42)

Ten foreign archaeological missions are participating in Dhi Qar’s excavation season, including four French teams assigned to work at different sites.

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

He explained that the four French archaeological missions will operate at several sites. The first mission, led by Dr. Philippe Quenet, has already arrived and begun work at Tell Mazid, while the second, headed by Dr. Régis Vallet, is scheduled to arrive on October 14 to work at the ancient city of Larsa.

The third French mission is scheduled to arrive later next year to work at the Tell el-Oueili archaeological site, while the fourth, led by Dr. Sidonia Obreja and Amaury Havé, will conduct excavations at Umm el-Ajjaj.

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