THE CASE FOR PROTECTING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF IRAQ WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BAGHDAD INCLUDING A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF ITS AREAS AND BUILDINGS OF HISTORIC OR ARCHITECTURAL

D030035_1_0001.tifTHE CASE FOR PROTECTING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF
IRAQ WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BAGHDAD INCLUDING A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF ITS AREAS AND BUILDINGS
OF HISTORIC OR ARCHITECTURAL INTEREST
(THREE VOLUMES)
VOLUME I
for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
DEPARTMENT OF TOWN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
OCTOBER 1977
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SUMMARY
The first part of this study shows that, although Iraq is fortunately endowed with a very rich and varied cultural heritage, efforts to protect it have been hitherto largely inadequate and unco-ordinated. While the official protective machinery centres its attention on single outstanding ancient and historic monuments and sites, the historic vernacular buildings, groups of buildings and areas - both rural and urban - remain not only badly neglected but are being rapidly demolished. The appalling and increasing destruction of this unique heritage is a serious loss and is, ironically, being caused mainly by official action. The study shows that over twenty per cent of Baghdad's historic fabric has been destroyed since World War 1 through new streets and clearance projects alone. This alarming loss is illustrated by an inventory of some 160 buildings of outstanding cultural interest demolished since 1917.
The second part covers the history and morphological evolution of Baghdad and examines its recent planning and its four existing historic cores namely Rusafa, Karkh, Aadhamiya and Kadhimiya. A detailed conservation field survey was undertaken in the city between 1975 and 1976 which resulted in the identification of 53 archaeological sites and 47 zones of visual interest, in the proposal of 36 conservation areas, and in the selection, grading and documentation of 603 buildings of historic or architectural interest whose records, in Volumes II and III, form the first inventory ever produced for Baghdad.
The thesis concludes, in Part Three, with general and specific recommendations on the need for greater action and a more systematic and comprehensive approach to protecting, documenting and enhancing the cultural heritage of the nation. An outline is also given on the necessary amendments to legislation, the introduction of listing, the creation of a conservation authority, the need for a greater allocation of funds and the training of staff for this specialist type of work. Finally, emphasis is given to the ten areas and seventy-one buildings in Baghdad which are under immediate threat and for which urgent action is vital.
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1. 2 Defniitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.4 Importance ofthe Study .. .. .. ..
1 . 6 IV[ ethodologr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References to Chapter I .. .. .. .. .. ..
CHAPTER II: THE CONCEPT OF CONSERVATION
2.1 Introduction .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2.2.2 EconomicAspects .. .. .. .. .. ..
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2.4 Administrative, Legislative and Financial Aspects 2. 4. 1 United Kingdom . . . . .. .. 2. 4. 2 F'rance • • • • • • 2. 4. 3 Italy • • • • • • S 5
2. 4. 4 Sv ed en • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. 4. 5 Syria • • • • S S
2. 4. 6 IVI oro C CO • • • • S S • S
2. 4. 7 Libya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • 2.4.8 Conclusion .. .. .. .. .. ..
References to Chapter II .. .. .. .. ..
3. 1 Historical Background .. .. ..
3. 2 The Existing Heritage .. •. •• 3. 2. 1 Archaeological Antiquities .. .. 3. 2. 2 Ancient and Historic Monuments .. 3. 2. 3 Rural Areas and Villages of Cultural Interest 3. 2.4 Urban Areas and Towns of Cultural Interest
References to Chapter III .. .. .. ..
4. 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. 2 The Different Types of Loss .. .. .. .. 4. 2. 1 Loss by Large-Scale Engineering Works .. 4. 2. 2 Loss by Neglect and Decay .. .. .. .. 4.2.3 LossbyDemolition.. .. .. .. .. .. 4. 2.4 Loss by Ill-Advised Restoration or Repair 4. 2. 5 Loss by Looting and Vandalism .. .. .. 4. 2. 6 Loss by Removal of Context and Spatial Intrusion
4.3 The CaseofSamarra.. .. .. .. .. .. 4. 3. 1 The Tragedy of the Pharmaceutical Factory
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125 127 130 158 159 167 174 176 180 181
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4.4 Inventory of Heritage Lost in Baghdad Since 1917 .1\.. 2ity Gates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. Mosques, TakyasandTombs .. .. .. .. C. churches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D. Houses . . • • • • • • • • • • • • • E. [Ia rnr.narns . . . . • . . . . . • . , . • F. Suqs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G. Ihans . . . • • • • , • • • • , II. Hospitals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I. others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References to Chapter IV .. . . .. .. ..
5. 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
5. 2 Directorate of Antiquities .. .. .. 185
5. 3 Urban Planning Authorities .. .. .. 194 5.3.1 Arbil Citadel .. .. .. 197 5.3.2 K.arbalaOld Town .. .. .. .. .. 201
5.4 MinistryofAwqaf .. .. .. .. .. . 206
5. 5 Tourism Administration .. .. .. .. .. .. 214
5. 6 Regional Centre for Conservation of Cultural Property in Arab Stat es 215
5. 7 Educational Institutions .. .. .. . ..... 216
- References to Chapter V .. .. .. .. .. .. 218
PART II: BAGHDAD
6.1 Introduction •. •• .. .. .. .. .. .. .. •. 222
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CHAPTER VII: BAGHDAD TODAY: ITS HISTORIC AREAS AND PLANN]NG
7. 1 Introduction ....... . . . . . .
7. 2 The Existing Historic Cores .. 7. 2. 1 :R,usafa . . . . . . . . .
7. 2. 2 f(a.rkh . ........ . . . . .
7. 3. 3 Old Kadhimiya Study .. ..
References to Chapter VII .. .. ..
CHAPTER VIII: THE CONSERVATION SURVEY AND INVENTORY OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
8. 1 .Airns ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
8.3 Methodology .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 326
8. 5 Analysis of Urban and Architectural Items of the
Inventory.. 337 8. 5. 1 Archaeological Sites .. .. .. .. 339 8. 5. 2 Conservation Areas and Zones of Special Visual
Interest
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8. 5. 3 Individual Items of Cultural Interest .. 351 A. Houses • • • • • • • • • • • . . 357 B. IVI Os qu e s • • . . . . . . . . . . . a
390 C. Ilammams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406 D. SuqsandKhans .. .. .. .. .. 414
References to Chapter VIII .. .. .. .. .. .. 421
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9.1 Conclusions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 424
9.2 Recommendations .. .. .. .. .. 434
9. 2. 2 Directorate of Antiquities .. .. .. 435
9. 2. 3 Listing . . . . . . . . . . . • . . • • • 437
9. 2.4 National Inventory . . . . .. . . . . .. 439
9. 2. 5 Architectural Restoration Section .. .. .. 440
9. 2. 6 Planning Authorities .. .. .. .. 441
9.2.7 Ministry ofAwqaf .. .. .. .. .. 443
9. 2. 9 Tourism Administration .. .. .. .. 447
9.3 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 447
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
2. Sources mEnglish .. .. .. .. .. .. 460
APPENDICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481
VOLUME II
INVENTORY OF BUILDINGS OF CULTURAL INTEREST IN RUSAFA'S HISTORIC CORE
VOLUME III
INVENTORY OF BUILDINGS OF CULTURAL INTEREST IN KARKH'S, AADHAMIYA'S, AND KADHIMIYA'S CORES
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1. Comparative Aspects of Conservation m Some European and Arab Countries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 39
2. Historical Periods of Iraq and their Chief Existing Sites andMonuments .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 49-51
3. The Number of Archaeological Sites in Each Muhafadha .. 56
4. The Number of Archaeological Sites in Dhok Muhafadha .. 58
5. The Number of Archaeological Sites in Nmeveh Muhafadha 60
6. The Number of Archaeological Sites in Sulaimaniya IViuhafadlia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
7. The Number of Archaeological Sites in Arbil Muhafadha .. 64
8. The Number of Archaeological Sites m Kirkuk Muhafadha.. 66
9. The Number of Archaeological Sites m Diyala Muhafadha.. 68
10. The Number of Archaeological Sites in Anbar Muhafadha.. 70
11. The Number of Archaeoloical Sites m Baghdad Muhafadha 72
12. The Number of Archaeological Sites in Wasit Muhafadha .. 74
13. The Number of Archaeological Sites m Babil Muhafadha .. 76
14. The Number of Archaeological Sites in Karbala Muhafadha 78
15. The Number of Archaeological Sites in Qadisiya Muhafadha 80
16. The Number of Archaeological Sites in Muthana Muhafadha 82
17. The Number of Archaeological Sites in Misan Muhafadha.. 84
18. The Number of Archaeological Sites in Thee-Qar Muhafadha 86
19. The Number of Archaeological Sites in Basra Muhafadha.. 88
20. Examples of Small Country Towns and Villages of Cultural or Landscape Interest in Iraq .. .. .. .. .. 94
21. The Historic Cores of the Main Cities in Iraq.. .. .. 96
22. The Types of Buildings, Numbers and Reasons for Their Loss •. •• .. .. .. .. .. •• •• 126
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23. Allocations of Five-Year Plan (1970-75) to the Directorate General of Antiquities.. .. .. 190
24. The Annual Revenue and Expenditure of the Ministry of A..'vvqa f . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25. Architectural and Urban Contributions of Ottoman Rulers in Baghdad between 1534 and 1917
26. Travellers, Writers and Artists with Accounts on Baghdad from 800 to 1899 .. ..
.. 211
.. 239
27. Data on Baghdad obtained from Travellers and Writers 251-253
28. The Four Historic Cores of Baghdad, their Area, and Number and Incidence of their Listed Items .. .. .. 262
29. Nomenclature of Traditional Mahallas in Rusafa and Karkh and their Etymological Origins .. .. .. .. .. 268
30. Destruction Caused by New Streets and Clearance in Rusafa and Percentage of the Total .. .. .. .. 271
31. Rusafa: Traditional Mahallas, their Area, Population, Density and Main Causes of Destruction.. .. .. 273-274
32. Karkh: Traditional Mahallas, their Area, Population, Density and Main Causes of Destruction.. .. 278
33. The Destruction Caused by New Streets and Bridges in Karkh and Percentage of the Total Area.. .. 280
34. Aadhamiya: Traditional Mahallas, their Area, Population, Density and Main Causes of Destruction .. .. .. 283
35. Kadhimiya: Traditional Mahallas, their Area, Population, Density and Main Causes of Destruction.. .. .. .. 287
36. Kadhimiya: Main Causes of Destruction and Percentage of theTotalArea .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 291
37. Existing and Proposed Land-Use m Old Kadhimiya by Polservice .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 306
38. Kadhimiya: Number of Graded Buildings, their Physical Condition and Percentage of Total by Polservice .. .. 309
39. Kadhimiya: Number and Floorspace of Buildings Selected for Protection by Polservice.. .. .. .. .. .. 311
40. Kadhimiya: Existing and Proposed Sizes of Plots by Fol service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 312
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41. Kadhimiya: Estimated Costs of Implementation of First Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
42. Inventory Items: Their Grade and Percentage of Total .. 336
43. Inventory Items: Availability of Documentation .. .. 338
44. Proposed Conservation Areas in Baghdad .. .. .. 345
45. Grades and Incidence of Inventory Items per Hectare
in Survey Blocks of Rusafa, Karkh and Kadhimiya .. .. 347
46. Proposed Zones of Visual Interest in Baghdad.. .. .. 350
47. Inventory Items: Original and Existing Uses .. .. .. 352
48. Inventory Items: Types of Ownership .. .. .. .. 353
49. Inventory Items: Physical Condition .. .. .. .. 354
50. Inventory Items: Percentage of Condition Types According to Each Grade .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 354
51. Inventory Items: Estimated Cost of Repair and Restoration .. •. .. .. •. .. •• •• •• 355
52. Inventory Items: Age Groups, Grades and Percentage of Total • . . . . . . . • • • . • 358
53. Inventory Houses: Physical Condition and Grade .. .. 360
54. Inventory Mosques: Age Groups, Grades and Percentage of Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 397
55. Inventory Mosques: Physical Condition .. .. .. .. 399
56. Inventory Mosques: Types andtheir Number .. .. .. 400
57. Inventory Mosques: Authenticity of Historic Fabric .. 401
58. Inventory Hammams: Age Groups and Grades .. .. 409
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1. The Main Archaeological Sites in Iraq .. .. .. .. 53
2. The Cultural Heritage in Dhok Muhafadha .. .. .. 57
3. The Cultural Heritage in Nineveh Muhafadha .. .. .. 59
4. The Cultural Heritage in Sulaimaniya Muhafadha .. .. 61
5. The Cultural Heritage in Arbil Muhafadha .. .. .. 63
6. The Cultural Heritage in Kirkuk Muhafadha .. .. .. 65
7. The Cultural Heritage in Diyala Muhafadha .. .. .. 67
8. The Cultural Heritage in Anbar Muhafadha .. .. .. 69
9. The Cultural Heritage in Baghdad Muhafadha .. .. .. 71
10. The Cultural Heritage in Wasit Muhafadha .. .. .. 73
11. The Cultural Heritage in Babil Muhaf'adha .. .. .. 75
12. The Cultural Heritage in Karbala Muhafadha .. .. .. 77
13. The Cultural Heritage in Qadisiya Muhafadha .. .. .. 79
14. The Cultural Heritage in Muthana Muhafadha .. .. .. 81
15. The Cultural Heritage in Misan Muhafadha .. .. .. 83
16. The Cultural Heritage in Thee-Qar Muhafadha .. .. .. 85
17. The Cultural Heritage m Basra Muhafadha .. .. .. 87
18. Examples of Iraqi Villages of Architectural and Landscape mter e st . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 2
19. Archaeological Sites Flooded by Darbanth-Khan Dam .. 104
20. Loss by Neglect and Decay - Sayid Yihya House.. .. .. 106
21. Demolition of Mirjaniya Madrasa .. .. .. .. .. 109
22. Loss by Demolition Caused by Jumhouriya Street .. .. 110
23. Removal of Context-Area Surrounding Gailani Mosque Cleared in 1 97 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 6
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25. Aerial Photograph of Samarra Town ..
26. Spatial Intrusion by Pharmaceutical Factory m Samarra
27. Demolished Gates in Baghdad .. .. ..
28. Demolished Mosques in Baghdad .. ..
29. Demolished Buildmgs in Baghdad .. ..
30. Examples of Outstanding Baghdadi Houses Demolished since 1917 . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ..
31. Examples of Outstanding Baghdadi Houses Demolished since 1917 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32. Examples of Demolished Hammams in Baghdad
33. Administrative Structure of the Directorate of Antiquities
34. Admmistrative Structure of the Directorate of Planning
35. The Historic Citadel o Arbil .. .. .. .. ..
36. Arbil Citadel - Proposed Land-Use .. .. ..
37. Karbala m 1918 and its Proposed Development in 1975
38. The Different Types of Waqf Property in Iraq ..
39. Administrative Structure of Awqaf Ministry ..
40. The Round City of Baghdad .. .. .. ..
41. Baghdad between 762 and 946 .. .. .. ..
42. Baghdad during the Seijuqid Period .. .. ..
43. Baghdad durmg the Flood of 1374 by an Unknown Persian
Artist (enlarged and redrawn by Author) .. ..
44. Tavernier's Map of Baghdad m 1632 .. ..
45. Mitraqi's Map of Baghdad in 1534 .. .. ..
46. Niebuhr's Map of Baghdad in 1765 .. .. ..
47. Felix Jones' Map of Baghdad in 1853 .. ..
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49. Baghdad in c. 1914 by British Naval Intelligence
50. Oblique view of Baghdad in 1917 by an Unknown British
Artist (modified by Author) .. .. ..
55. Rusafa in c. 1914 by the German Army ..
56. Demolition in Rusafa .. .. .. ..
58. Karkh in 1914 by the German Army .. ..
59. Aadhamiya - Traditional Mahallas and Survey Blocks
60. Kadhimiya - Traditional Mahallas .. .. ..
61. Eyesores in Kadhimiya .. .. .. .. ..
63. Kadhimam Mosque in 1976 .. .. .. ..
64. Administrative Structure of Amanat al-Assima
65. Proposed Redevelopment of Blocks 108 and 110 of Rusafa by Pol service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
66. Planning Proposals for Old Kadhimiya by Polservice
67. Transportation Proposals for Old Kadhimiya by Polservice
68. Visual Improvements in Kadhimiya by Polservice
69. Survey Blocks of Karkh and Rusafa .. .. ..
70. Survey Blocks of Kadhimiya .. .. .. ..
71. Archaeological Sites in Baghdad .. .. ..
72. Proposed Conservation Areas in Baghdad .. ..
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74. Inventory Houses in Baghdad (grades A and B only)
75. Courtyard of Abaida House in Kadhimiya ..
76. An Example of a Large House in Baghdad (Husain Pasha)
77. Decorative Brick Portals - (pre and) Early 19th Century to Early 20th Century .. .. .. ..
78. Decorative Stucco Portals - c. 1918 to the Early 1930's
79. Doors - (pre and) Early to Mid 19th Century
80. Doors - Mid 19th Century to Early 1930's
81. Brass Door Furniture in Traditional Houses in Baghdad
82. Section of a Traditional House in Baghdad (Shakur)
83. Examples of Vaulted Cellars in Traditional Houses in Baghdad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
84. The North-Western…