New shadows are cast over Iraq's pre-Islamic art

BEIRUT There is mounting concern among scholars that the appointment of religiously conservative Shiite Muslims throughout Iraq's traditionally secular archaeological institutions could threaten the preservation of the country's pre-Islamic history.

Donny George's recent departure as chairman of the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, and his flight to Syria, is among the latest results of a transformation that began in December when a Shiite-dominated government was elected in Baghdad. The radical Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr, who commands his own militia, emerged with enough seats in Parliament to take control of four ministries and to create a Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, traditionally under the Ministry of Culture, now reports to this new ministry as well. "The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities wants to control Iraq's archaeological heritage by demolishing this institution, one of the oldest institutions in Iraq," George said in a telephone interview from Damascus. "This will be a disaster for this field, and for the cultural heritage of the country."

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