Earth being the most available building material in the Middle East and especially in Iraq, mudbrick is the most commonly used traditional building material since early antiquity. Almost all archaeological sites and many historical buildings in Iraq are built in mudbricks, fired or unfired, glazed or inscribed for ornamental purposes.

The conservation of mudbrick architecture is an especially delicate task for archaeologists and conservators since this kind of structures are extremely fragile and vulnerable to environmental factors such as heavy rainfall, humidity, wind, salt efflorescence and temperature variations.

The Iraqi State Board for Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) is in urgent need of professional upgrading; training in conservation theories and practice is vital at this stage, considering the huge number of sites affected by the risk of deterioration, the scarcity of resources available to the responsible authorities and the special conjuncture facing the country.

Given the close similarity between mudbrick architecture in Southern Iran (Khuzistan, ancient Elam) and Southern Iraq (ancient Mesopotamia), especially for archaeological sites dating from the 4th to the 1st millennium BC, great advantage can be drawn from the experience gathered in the UNESCO mudbrick conservation project conducted over the last years in Choga Zanbil, Iran. The Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization (ICHO) and the Research Center for Conservation of Cultural Relics (RCCCR) generously offered their cooperation and operational and financial assistance for the realization of the project. The International Center for Earth Construction (CRATerre-EAG) is an international recognized expert in the field of earthen architectural heritage, located in Grenoble. Its collaboration in the project will guarantee up to date training on the most advanced technical methods in the field.

A 3-week course held in Iran will provide specialized training on mudbrick conservation techniques to a selected group of maximum 15 employees from SBAH. The programme focuses on scientists and young professionals with a background in conservation, architecture, archaeology, geology or chemistry.

• Update professional skills of SBAH’s personnel and enable SBAH to conduct appropriate earthen architecture on-site conservation and restoration.
• Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Culture (MoC) and the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) to prepare an appropriate conservation programme for archaeological sites and historic buildings.
• Provide training and building a long-term educational programme for architects-conservators in Iraq.

• Assist the Iraqi authorities in establishing guidelines that will direct future policies on the conservation of mudbrick heritage in Iraq and other countries in the region that house large amounts of such historical architecture
• Empower the Iraqi national system and assist MoC and SBAH in creating professional profiles and job opportunities in the country in the field of conservation of Cultural Heritage
• Assist the Iraqi authorities in devising and formulating a comprehensive long-term programme to protect, promote and enhance Iraqi cultural heritage.

Protect sites and historic buildings in view of increasing tourism and eventual infrastructure’s works.