Overview

Today, many Middle Eastern countries are embroiled in conflict. Most of these countries (Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt) were formed after the First World War, as a result of the abolition of the Ottoman Empire. It seems that these states struggle to form a collective national identity. Interpreting the past is a fraught and complicated process of much importance for the creation and reform of national identities. Especially, after the beginning of archaeological excavations in the 19th century and the rediscovery of ancient Near Eastern civilizations such as Babylonia, Assyria, Hittite, Sumerian, Hurrian, and others, which offered new information and interpretations, interpretation wars became more pronounced.

In this context education systems and museum exhibits play a crucial role in the Middle East in connection with archaeological excavations in Egypt, Iraq (such as Babylonia, Nineveh, and Assur), and Syria (Mari, Ebla, and Ugarit), and others.

Museums in former colonial metropoles such as the Louvre in France and British Museum in the United Kingdom, enriched their collections with artifacts from some of these sites to demonstrate and enhance their imperial power. As a counterweight to imperial collections, museums in Middle Eastern countries were founded with the goal of reinforcing a national identity. Examples of these kinds of museums include the Iraqi Museum in Baghdad, the National Museum of Damascus and Aleppo, and Beirut Museum.

This seminar will engage with the cultural heritage and archaeology in the Middle East. In addition, it will discuss the complex relationship between cultural heritage and identities. In so doing, this seminar will encourage discussions about new perspectives on cultural heritage and its role across the Middle Eastern societies.