Visiting Babylon

Summary

The World Monuments Fund discusses the ancient site of Babylon, highlighting its historical significance and current state. Despite its humble appearance, Babylon's mud-brick structures and famous Ishtar Gate evoke its past grandeur. The site, once a bustling center of learning and arts, is now a tranquil location with modern settlements nearby. The Fund aims to preserve Babylon for future generations, balancing tourism with conservation and archaeological research.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Babylon is an ancient site with a rich history, often mentioned in the Bible and known for the Tower of Babel and the Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
• 🌟 Despite its fame, the site is surprisingly humble in appearance, primarily constructed with mud-brick, which contrasts with the grandeur often associated with Babylon.
• 📜 The World Monuments Fund has been working on the site for seven years, focusing on preservation, site management, and creating a sustainable plan for future tourism and archaeological excavations.
• 🏞️ The site is situated along a beautiful bend of the Euphrates River, which was key to its desirability as a settlement in antiquity due to its fertile land and trade route location.
• 🏘️ Babylon has been continuously occupied for thousands of years, with modern communities living adjacent to the ancient ruins, showing the site's ongoing cultural significance.
• 🌐 Before the early 2000s invasion, Babylon was Iraq's most visited site, reflecting its importance to both historical and contemporary Iraqi society.
• 🔍 The site was first excavated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Robert Koldewey, with many artifacts now housed in museums worldwide, including the Ishtar Gate in Berlin.
• 🛠️ There have been concerns about the reconstruction and restoration efforts, particularly those undertaken by Saddam Hussein, which may not have been based on scientific archaeology.
• 🌿 The site is not a static museum but a living environment, with natural elements like birds and local produce adding to the visitor experience.
• 🌟 Babylon's preservation and future are in the hands of international cooperation, with the World Monuments Fund and the Iraq State Board of Antiquities and Heritage working together to ensure its historical integrity and accessibility.

Q & A

What is the significance of the ancient site of Babylon?

Babylon is significant as it conjures up images of the ancient world, famous achievements, and notable people. It is historically known for the Tower of Babel, Hammurabi's Code of Laws, and the Hanging Gardens, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

What is the current state of the Babylon site?

The Babylon site is described as humble-looking, primarily mud-brick construction with simple technologies. It features raised brick animal figures but lacks the grandeur that many might expect from its historical reputation.

How has Babylon been a center of learning and arts?

During the Neo-Babylonian period, Babylon was a center for learning and the arts, with Nebuchadnezzar rebuilding the walls, constructing luxurious palaces, and making it an imperial capital.

What is the natural environment like around Babylon?

The Babylon site is situated along a particularly beautiful bend of the Euphrates River, lined with palm trees. It can be very green and lush at certain times of the year, but also experiences sandstorms.

How has the World Monuments Fund been involved with Babylon?

The World Monuments Fund has been working on the Babylon site for seven years, focusing on creating a site management plan, conducting condition surveys, and developing conservation plans to prepare for future tourism and archaeological excavations.

What was the impact of the early 2000's invasion on Babylon?

Before the invasion in the early 2000's, Babylon was the most visited site in Iraq. The invasion likely disrupted tourism and possibly affected the preservation efforts of the site.

How has the local community interacted with the Babylon site?

Despite the lack of international tourism, local Iraqis still visit the Babylon site for leisure activities like walking along the river or picnicking, indicating a continued cultural connection.

What are some of the challenges in preserving and restoring Babylon?

Challenges include the political instability affecting the site's preservation, the need to balance tourism with site protection, and concerns about past restorations that may not have been scientifically driven.

What is the historical context of the Ishtar Gate and its excavation?

The Ishtar Gate was excavated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Robert Koldewey, with many artifacts ending up in museums worldwide. The gate's predecessor still exists on the site, and it was part of a layered structure with multiple historical重建.

What was Saddam Hussein's role in the rebuilding of Babylon?

Saddam Hussein undertook recent rebuilding efforts at Babylon, viewing himself as a successor to Nebuchadnezzar. However, these efforts have raised concerns about their scientific integrity and motivations.

How does the Babylon site reflect the broader trends in archaeological preservation?

Babylon reflects the pendulum swing in archaeological site management, from heavy reconstruction for understanding to minimal intervention to preserve a pure state. The site's history shows periods of excavation, reconstruction, and restoration efforts influenced by both scientific and political factors.