State Board of Antiquities and Heritage SBAH (Iraq)

Overview

The State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) is Iraq's principal governmental institution responsible for the protection, conservation, management, and promotion of the country's archaeological sites, cultural heritage, and national museums. Operating under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, the SBAH is recognized as one of the foremost institutions for archaeology and cultural heritage management in the Middle East.

History and Founding

The institutional history of the SBAH traces back to 1923–1924, when the first Law of Antiquities was approved, largely through the efforts of the British scholar and diplomat Gertrude Bell. Following the end of the British Mandate in 1932, Sati Al-Husri promoted a revised legal framework, resulting in Antiquities Law No. 59 of 1936 (later amended in 1974 and 1975). The current governing legislation is Law No. 55 of 2002. The institution has maintained collaborative ties with international organizations and academic institutions for many decades.

Collections and Functions

The SBAH manages Iraq's network of national heritage sites, oversees the country's national museums (including the Iraq Museum in Baghdad), and regulates archaeological excavation and research. It maintains an estimated 15,000 registered and unregistered archaeological sites across Iraq, reflecting the country's position as home to ancient Mesopotamian civilization. The SBAH operates directorates responsible for excavations and investigations, conservation and preservation, and international organizations. It coordinates with UNESCO and international bodies on World Heritage Site monitoring and protection.

Notable Activities

The SBAH has long been engaged in international partnerships for site conservation, including collaborations with the World Monuments Fund at Babylon and joint UNESCO missions at Samarra. Following significant damage to Iraq's cultural heritage during the post-2003 instability and the ISIS-era destruction of sites such as Nimrud and Hatra, the SBAH has worked with international partners on restoration and capacity-building. A training center, the Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage, was established in Erbil in partnership with the University of Delaware.

Access and Usage

The SBAH maintains an official website providing information on Iraq's heritage sites, ongoing excavations, and museum collections. It serves researchers, archaeologists, government bodies, and international organizations working in the field of Iraqi cultural heritage.