Aspecto del museo antes de la invasión. (Foto: AFP/File/Ali al-Saadi)C iudad Juárez, Chihuahua. 23 de febrero de 2009. (RanchoNEWS).- Sobre la reapertura del saqueado Museo Nacional de Irak nos informa desde Bagdad, Jim Muir de la BBC, complementamos la nota con un reporte inicial de los daños al patrimonio arqueológico de ese país provocados por la inavsión conducida por Estados Unidos y una Galería de fotos del evento:
El Museo Nacional de Irak ha abierto de nuevo, casi seis años después de que fuera saqueado y destrozado en el periodo inmediatamente posterior de la invasión dirigida por Estados Unidos en 2003.
Las fuerzas de la coalición no tenían órdenes de intervenir y se quedaron con los brazos cruzados mientras que el inestimable patrimonio de Irak era arrasado.
Muchos de los tesoros de la nación estaban en el museo, cuyo saqueo fue uno de los episodios más escandalosos del período.
Muchas de sus antigüedades fueron robadas y solamente se ha recuperado una pequeña proporción.
Decisión polémica
Irak, la cuna de la civilización, ha sido descrito como un enorme yacimiento arqueológico.
Se estima que cerca de 15.000 artefactos y antigüedades fueron robados. Se cree que sólo se ha recuperado una cuarta parte de ellos, a pesar de los esfuerzos internacionales para prohibir su tráfico o venta.
El museo había abierto simbólicamente por un día, en julio de 2003, para probar que quedaban algunas de sus riquezas.
Pero desde entonces permaneció cerrado, hasta ahora. Su reapertura forma parte de los esfuerzos del gobierno iraquí por mostrar que la vida está volviendo a la normalidad.
Pero es una medida polémica. Varios expertos iraquíes prominentes, e incluso funcionarios del Ministerio de Cultura, han criticado fuertemente lo que ven como un paso prematuro.
Dicen que poco de la extensa colección del museo se ha catalogado o se exhibe correctamente, y que es necesario hacer mucho más para que esté a la altura de los estándares modernos.
Babilonia dañada por la guerra
Bagdad, Irak. 15 de enero de 2005 (BBC).- Las fuerzas de ocupación en Irak han causado graves daños a la antigua ciudad de Babilonia, según un informe del Museo Británico.
El documento señala que vehículos militares estadounidenses y polacos han destruido pavimentos construidos hace 2.600 años y que se han utilizado fragmentos arqueológicos para llenar sacos de arena.
La institución cultural, con sede en Londres, también dijo que grandes áreas de Babilonia, uno de los más importantes sitios arqueológicos del mundo, habían sido cubiertas con gravilla para crear plataformas de helicópteros y zonas de estacionamiento.
El informe fue redactado por el jefe del departamento de Antiguo y Cercano Oriente del Museo Británico, John Curtis, quien visitó a Babilonia invitado por expertos iraquíes, dijo este sábado el periódico británico The Guardian.
Curtis señaló que también había hallado grietas y rajaduras hechas por personas que trataron de arrancar los ladrillos que forman los dragones del puente Ishtar, una de las joyas arquitectónicas de la ciudad.
Sin embargo, un portavoz del ejército de Estados Unidos aseguró que, antes de llevar a cabo proyectos de construcción, un arqueólogo se encargaba de evaluar su posible impacto sobre las ruinas.
Campamento
Las autoridades estadounidenses establecieron un campamento en Babilonia en abril de 2003, poco después de haber invadido el país.
«Esto equivale a montar un campamento militar alrededor de la Gran Pirámide, en Egipto, o de Stonehenge, en Gran Bretaña», dijo Curtis en el informe.
La base pasará este sábado a manos iraquíes, dijeron fuentes militares.
Babilonia era la capital de la civilización asiria, que existió entre 1.800 y 600 antes de Cristo, y en ella estaba una de las siete maravillas del mundo antiguo, los famosos Jardines Colgantes.
«Estos lugares pertenecen al patrimonio mundial», dijo a The Guardian el diputado Rupert Redesdale, jefe del grupo arqueológico del parlamento británico.
«Las fuerzas estadounidenses no sólo están dañando la arqueología de Irak. Están dañando la herencia cultural del mundo entero», añadió.
GALERÍA
A foreign visitor takes photograph of an ancient panel of enamelled bricks displayed at the Iraqi National Museum during its reopening in Baghdad February 23, 2009. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani )
A curator stands behind a Babylonian lion artefact displayed at the Iraqi National Museum during its reopening in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
An employee of the Iraqi National Museum looks at the showcased artefacts during its reopening ceremony in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani )
Visitors walk past Assyrian mural sculptures inside the Iraqi National Museum during its reopening ceremony in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
A stone sculpture with relief carving dating back to the end of the Old Akkadian period is displayed at the Iraqi National Museum during its reopening ceremony in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
A visitor looks at a Babylonian lion statue at the Iraqi National Museum during its reopening in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
Iraqis visit the restored Iraqi National Museum on the day it was formally dedicated in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009 nearly six years after looters carried away priceless antiquities and treasures in the chaos following the U.S.-led invasion. The event came on the eve of the museum's full public opening Tuesday, which officials have touted as another milestone in Baghdad's slow return to stability after years of bloodshed. (Foto: AP/Khalid Mohammed)
A presenter wearing a Sumerian costume stands near artefacts after the reopening ceremony of the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
Iraqis visit the restored Iraqi National Museum on the day it was formally dedicated in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009 nearly six years after looters carried away priceless antiquities and treasures in the chaos following the U.S.-led invasion. The event came on the eve of the museum's full public opening Tuesday, which officials have touted as another milestone in Baghdad's slow return to stability after years of bloodshed. (Foto: AP/Khalid Mohammed)
Visitors take photographs near an Assyrian statue (C) at the Iraqi National Museum after its reopening ceremony in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
A statue of the King Gudea, the king of Lagash, is displayed inside the Iraqi National Museum during its reopening in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
A Babylonian (2000-1500 BC) lion --which decorated the main temple in the Tell Harmal-- is on display at the Iraqi Museum in Baghdad. (Foto: AFP/Ahmad al-Rubaye)
A foreign visitor takes photograph of an ancient panel of enamelled bricks displayed at the Iraqi National Museum during its reopening in Baghdad February 23, 2009. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani )
A curator stands behind a Babylonian lion artefact displayed at the Iraqi National Museum during its reopening in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
An employee of the Iraqi National Museum looks at the showcased artefacts during its reopening ceremony in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani )
Visitors walk past Assyrian mural sculptures inside the Iraqi National Museum during its reopening ceremony in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
A stone sculpture with relief carving dating back to the end of the Old Akkadian period is displayed at the Iraqi National Museum during its reopening ceremony in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
A visitor looks at a Babylonian lion statue at the Iraqi National Museum during its reopening in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
Iraqis visit the restored Iraqi National Museum on the day it was formally dedicated in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009 nearly six years after looters carried away priceless antiquities and treasures in the chaos following the U.S.-led invasion. The event came on the eve of the museum's full public opening Tuesday, which officials have touted as another milestone in Baghdad's slow return to stability after years of bloodshed. (Foto: AP/Khalid Mohammed)
A presenter wearing a Sumerian costume stands near artefacts after the reopening ceremony of the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
Iraqis visit the restored Iraqi National Museum on the day it was formally dedicated in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009 nearly six years after looters carried away priceless antiquities and treasures in the chaos following the U.S.-led invasion. The event came on the eve of the museum's full public opening Tuesday, which officials have touted as another milestone in Baghdad's slow return to stability after years of bloodshed. (Foto: AP/Khalid Mohammed)
Visitors take photographs near an Assyrian statue (C) at the Iraqi National Museum after its reopening ceremony in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
A statue of the King Gudea, the king of Lagash, is displayed inside the Iraqi National Museum during its reopening in Baghdad February 23, 2009. Iraq on Monday partially reopened its National Museum, once a trove of artefacts dating back to the dawn of civilisation but which was plundered after the 2003 invasion while U.S. troops stood by. (Foto: REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani)
A Babylonian (2000-1500 BC) lion --which decorated the main temple in the Tell Harmal-- is on display at the Iraqi Museum in Baghdad. (Foto: AFP/Ahmad al-Rubaye)
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