Iraq races to restore ancient Ziggurat of Ur amid threat of climate erosion - report

Iraq is racing to restore the ancient Ziggurat of Ur, a 4,000-year-old Mesopotamian temple, as climate change poses a significant threat of erosion and collapse. The current restoration initiative, expected to conclude by July 2026, marks the seventh major campaign at the site since its construction around 2112 BCE.

The Iraqi government has announced an initial budget of $382,000 to address the emergency situation. Archaeologists warn that the monument is directly exposed to deterioration due to weather conditions, including harsh, dry weather that increases soil salinity. Wind and sand dunes are also contributing to erosion, particularly on the temple's northern side.

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The site is in a state of emergency. It is directly exposed to deterioration and collapse because of weather conditions.

Restoration efforts are employing locally made bricks and traditional building techniques. The project includes repairing the first level and its staircases, addressing cracks on the second level, and reconstructing the third level based on available archaeological evidence. Special attention is being paid to material accuracy, with replica paving bricks made from the same chemical materials as the original and handmade mud sourced from an environment similar to that of ancient Ur.

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For the paving bricks, a sample was taken from the ziggurat and a replica of the original was made, containing the same chemical materials and physical properties. Regarding the mud, it was handmade on-site in Ur, and the clay was taken from an environment similar to that of the ancient city of Ur.

This work is crucial as the Ziggurat of Ur, originally built in honor of the moon god Nanna, is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient Mesopotamian architecture. It was previously restored by the Neo-Babylonian king Nabonidus. UNESCO has previously cautioned that archaeological sites in southern Iraq are highly vulnerable to elemental erosion and a lack of long-term conservation.

In addition to the Ziggurat, Iraqi antiquities officials are also advancing a second preservation effort, supported by Italy, to restore the Taq Kasra site.

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barriers of nature or man-made structures to shield it from the full range of weather elements.