Archaeological research and excavation efforts continue in Al-Qadisiyyah Governorate in southern Iraq, centered in the city of Nasiriyah, which is among the richest areas in the country in terms of archaeological sites and historical treasures. This is being conducted in collaboration between a scientific mission from the British Museum and the General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage under the Iraqi Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities.
The General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage in Iraq announced the discovery of approximately a thousand rare archaeological artifacts in the ancient city of Karsu in the Nasr District of Al-Qadisiyyah Governorate, as well as the discovery of a historical temple, in addition to the restoration of the oldest known bridge in history in that city. They clarified that excavation works are ongoing, and there will be more announcements in the future.
Regarding the significance of these discoveries, Amer Abdul Razak, the General Director of the Antiquities and Heritage Inspectorate of Al-Qadisiyyah, stated: "The historical site where these precious archaeological treasures were discovered is located in the northern part of Al-Qadisiyyah Governorate, where a specialized research team from the British Museum, in cooperation with a team from the Iraqi Antiquities and Heritage Authority, has been excavating artifacts in the ancient Sumerian city of Karsu for nearly a month and a half."
Abdul Razak added in an interview with "Sky News Arabia": "The British excavation mission includes 22 archaeology experts. More than 800 artifacts have so far been discovered, dating back to ancient times from the third century BC, the Akkadian period, and the Third Dynasty of Ur. This includes a variety of statues, sculptures, dolls, clay tablets, cylinder seals, and cuneiform writings, as well as the discovery of the Ainino Temple dedicated to Prince Kudia."
The Iraqi official continued, stating: "The British mission has restored and conserved the oldest bridge discovered in the world, built 4,000 years ago in Karsu, following the highest scientific standards for restoration and rehabilitation. It has been discovered for over 90 years, but unfortunately, no restoration or conservation work has been conducted on it for nearly a century since its discovery. Therefore, we contracted with the British Museum to work on its rehabilitation in stages, with the first phase involving the preservation of its foundations and protection, and the restoration of its walls from the effects of moisture, groundwater, and salts, according to the latest and highest quality preservation and rescue mechanisms for ancient archaeological sites used worldwide."
Abdul Razak elaborated on the significance of the site where these unique discoveries took place, saying: "Karsu is an ancient city steeped in history, consisting of rich archaeological ruins that were inhabited approximately 3,500 years BC, but it is now uninhabited, of course, and is protected by the Antiquities Protection Police due to its priceless archaeological and historical treasures."
