Thin End of the Wedge
Thin End of the Wedge
78. Mustafa Faraj: The Gates of Nineveh
Mustafa discusses his project to document the condition of the gates of Nineveh, and to plan the sustainable conservation and management. What do the gates mean to Mosulis? What reconstruction work has taken place, what condition are the gates in now, and what might they look like in the future?
2:39 the Gates of Nineveh project
4:46 historic reconstructions
5:40 significance
7:19 current condition
9:51 archaeological park
13:45 displaying finds from the gates
16:04 heritage tourism in Mosul
17:07 heritage restoration
21:03 the Banquet Stela of Ashurnasirpal
24:33 where to learn more
Music by Ruba Hillawi
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Hello, and welcome to the Thin End of the Wedge, the podcast where experts from around the world share new and interesting stories about life in the ancient Middle East. My name is Jon. Each episode, I talk to friends and colleagues and get them to explain their work in a way we can all understand. Our guest for this episode is an Iraqi archaeologist who works for the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage. He is trained in rescue archaeology and site management, and has a long and deep engagement with the iconic site of Nineveh. His current project focuses on the city gates of Nineveh. These have been a major focus of work at the site for several decades, seeing excavation, reconstruction, and more recently, deliberate damage, and attempts to remedy that. Our guest is interested in the role of the gates in the local community’s sense of heritage and identity. He explores how they can be conserved and managed to meet those needs. So get yourself a cup of tea, make yourself comfortable, and let's meet today's guest. Hello and welcome to Thin End of the Wedge. Thank you for joining us.
Mustafa Faraj:Hello, Doctor, thank you for preparing this podcast.
Jon Taylor:Could you tell us, please: who are you, and what do you do?
Mustafa Faraj:First, I want to introduce myself. My name is Mustafa Faraj. And I am archaeologist from Iraq. I work at State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) in Iraq. Also I am member at ICOMOS and ISCARSAH. I have been working in the field of archaeology since 2013. I hold bachelor and master degree in ancient archaeology from University of Mosul. And I have participated in many projects in archaeology, like excavation, rescue excavation, in the key sites like Nineveh and Nimrud. I am especially interested in documentation and the protection of historical sites, particularly those damaged by the war. I have also training in rescue archaeology and management, also startup projects and development. Now I am visiting a scholar at University of London to conduct research about the gates of Nineveh.
Ellie Bennett:Could you please tell us more about that gates of Nineveh project?
Mustafa Faraj:Yes, my research project focuses on the gates of Nineveh from three key aspects. First, it involves seeing their current condition, documenting violation and reviewing previous excavation and restoration after 2017. The second, it's explore sustainable approach to the conservation and management of gates. The third aspect, it examines the relationship between the gates and local community. How people interact with the structure and as a symbol of heritage and identity.
Jon Taylor:Gosh, Super. Thank you very much. So could you tell us how many gates have been excavated so far, please? And some of them have been reconstructed, haven't
Mustafa Faraj:According to the inscription of the king Sennacherib, the ancient city of Nineveh was originally fortified with 18 gates, integrated into its massive defensive walls, which stretch approximately 12 kilometers in circumference. The gates served both defensive function and were often named they? Or some after the deities or significant places. Over time, The reconstructed gates is Nergal gate, and Mashqi archaeological excavation have uncovered and several of these gates offering critical insights into Assyrian architectecture and urban planning. The number of the gates were excavated--seven. Ashur gate, excavated, and Halzi gate, Shamash gate, Adad gate, Nergal gate, Sin gate, Mashqi gate. gate, Adad gate, and finally, Shamash gate. This is the gates These gates were excavated by the foreign and national archaeologist team in Iraq. reconstructed after excavation.
Jon Taylor:Could you say a little bit more about the reconstructions? You know, who did them and when and who they were for? What the idea was behind the reconstruction?
Mustafa Faraj:Okay, after excavated the gate, the SBAH in Iraq decided to reconstruct some of the gates of Nineveh, because it's very crucial to show the remains of Nineveh. The first gates reconstructed, the Nergal gates in 1956. This is the first try to reconstruct the gate. And after this gate, the Adad gate reconstructed ... excavation and reconstructed by the University of Mosul in 1967 and after. After these gates, the Mashqi gates also get reconstructed by the SBAH, led by Tariq Madhloom in 1967. This is the gates that were reconstructed.
Jon Taylor:Could you say why they're important in the ancient site, and what significance they have for the modern city?
Mustafa Faraj:Yes, the gates are incredibly important, both in archaeology and the social... or local social life. They show the scale and organisation of the Nineveh ancient city. And they contact the modern resident of Mosul with their deep history for the city today. These gates can support tourism, education, cultural pride and event job creation. Relieving them can play a key role in the healing and rebuilding process after the years of conflict. I think this is the very important to relive the city, also the local community of the Mosul.
Ellie Bennett:Could you please say a few more words about the cultural importance of the site. Like, what is it that people in Iraq see or think of when they see the gates of Nineveh?
Mustafa Faraj:I think the gates of Nineveh represented for the local community of Mosul is an identity heritage. It's an important part of the heritage identity of the local community in Mosul, because this is the gates reflects the ancient history of the city and how important the region of Mosul, how was important the region of Mosul in the ancient world, how the Nineveh ruled the ancient world by the strong king ... Assyrian strong kings. I think this is the very important for the local community to know about his history. And what does mean, these remains of Nineveh to the local community.
Jon Taylor:Okay, thank you. The city of Mosul has a rather difficult history in recent times, and the heritage of the city has suffered, including the gates. Could you say something about what kind of condition the gates are in at the moment?
Mustafa Faraj:Okay, unfortunately, the Nergal, Adad, and Mashqi gates were destroyed. And the tunnel was dug beneath the Shamash gate, causing significant damage. However, the positive development is that these gates are now undergoing rescue excavation and restoration, led by SBAH and several academic and cultural institutions. If you want, I can talk about the gates now, the projects, ongoing work, if you want.
Jon Taylor:Yes, please. That would be very interesting.
Mustafa Faraj:Okay, at first we talk about the Nergal gates. The Nergal Gate, severely damaged by ISIS, completely damaged by ISIS in 2016, has been the focus of the restoration effort since 2017, after liberation of Mosul. A German team from University of Heidelberg, led by Professor Peter Miglus and Stefan Maul, start the project to rescue and excavate the Nergal gates. The work start in, I think, in 2023. The team expanded their focus on the Nergal gates, containing restoration and excavation activities, to recover and preserve the historical significance. Another gate, Adad gate, also destroyed by ISIS in 2016, has been undergoing restoration since 2018 by the Iraqi-Italian expedition, lad by Professor Nicolo Marchetti from University of Bologna, Italia. The team removed debris, conserved the ancient mode brick structure, and reconstructed the gate's roof. Their efforts also include training local archaeologists and conservators. In 2023 an archaeological park was created at the site, with the Adad gate serving as main entrance, enhancing public access to the understanding the Nineveh heritage. I think this project is very crucial to rehabilitation. There are some parts from the Nineveh city. I international think this is a very important this project, the part of archaeology. Another gate, Shamash. Shamash also suffered significant damage, including the excavation of tunnel beneath. It's by ISIS. The archaeological team worked in the gate to rescue and excavate the gate at the site. Their work aims to stabilise the structure, document the extent of the damage, and restore the gates to the historical state. The another gate also, Mashqi
Jon Taylor:have Gate, demolished by ISIS in 2016, has been the subject of collaborative restoration efforts by University of Pennsylvania and the British Museum, with SBAH. The excavation began in 2021 leading to the discovery well-preserved
Mustafa Faraj:violation we can,because the area, it's reliefs dating back to the Sennacherib. This relief, I think, the original place of this relief in the palace of Sennacherib. And after erected in the palace, I think moved to these gates. This is the most important projects now ongoing in the gates of Nineveh. always busy, and we can manage this area for the visitor from the local community and also from the foreign tourists and visitors when we visit Mosul.
Ellie Bennett:Well, that sounds like a really ambitious project. I know you probably didn't want to dwell too much on the damage done to the site, but I was wondering about the scale of the work ahead of you. So was the damage done to reconstructed parts of gates or to the ancient ones as well?
Mustafa Faraj:I think the first step for adopted the projects in Nineveh, I think the first step to make a rescue project, and maybe we can make excavation also. After this step, we can go to the another step. Maybe we can't reconstruct it, the gates, but I think we are facing a challenge to make a funding to construct the gates. But I think in the future, we can start the project for some of the gates, like the Nergal, we can maybe start rebuilding, or reconstruct the gates. But I don't know now we have, we don't have a clear vision about this reconstructed the gates.
Jon Taylor:You've mentioned there a little bit about the archaeological work that has already taken place, and you've mentioned that part of the future might involve further excavation. I'd like to ask about the objects that are found on those excavations. Is there a plan? Is there a possibility that objects from the gates could be displayed at the Mosul Museum? Is this a possible thing for the future?
Mustafa Faraj:Do you mean about the objects of the Mashqi gate?
Jon Taylor:Yes, for example, yeah.
Mustafa Faraj:I think I prefer these objects stay in situ. When we rehabilitate the gates, I think this is the good point to make the people interested to visit the gates, and see the relief in the original place we found by the archaeologists ... archaeological team. I think the good idea for the gates, because the Mosul museum have a huge number of artifacts, we can display another artifacts. But I think the reliefs of the Mashqi gate, I prefer stay in the gates, and maybe we can reconstruct the gates and make the gate like a museum for the visitors and people and local community in Mosul.
Jon Taylor:And how about the other finds, the small finds, whether it be tablets, pottery, metal, work, those kinds of things?
Mustafa Faraj:Ah, the small objects already moved to the SBAH in Baghdad to preserve in the central storage of the SBAH.
Ellie Bennett:Is there an idea of where they maybe ... will they remain in storage indefinitely? Or is there a plan to perhaps have them on display eventually somewhere?
Mustafa Faraj:I think when we finish the work restoration project of the Mosul museum, we can talk about objects found in Nineveh. SBAH decided if they stay in the central storage or maybe display in the Mosul Museum. I think the Mosul museum will display some of the artifacts, new artifacts found in Nineveh. I think this is important to see the efforts of the archaeologists and the SBAH efforts to rescue and restore the archaeological sites in Mosul after liberation from ISIS.
Ellie Bennett:And what's the situation in Mosul today? If I was to be dropped into Mosul, what would I see? And if I was a tourist, what would I be able to see, and whether ... how many tourists would there be with me?
Mustafa Faraj:Ah, the situation of Mosul now?
Ellie Bennett:Yeah, so what is it like at the moment, and how much tourism is there currently?
Mustafa Faraj:Okay. For the current situation in Mosul, there has been real progress to rebuild the city. Challenges remain. Tourism is slowly returning, especially from within Iraq. There is still a need for better services and public awareness. Project like the Nineveh gates have potential to boost tourism and public engagement, but they need to coordinate support and promotion. Do you want to talk about some restoration project to reveal the heritage of Mosul? If you want?
Ellie Bennett:If you're happy to talk about that, I would love to.
Mustafa Faraj:Okay, many heritage restoration projects have been completed in Mosul, such as restoration of Al-Masfi Mosque, or Lady of the Hour church, Ziada house, and parts of the Nineveh walls. However, several important projects is still ongoing, including work in Mart Meskinta church, Al-Raabiya mosque, and the Mosul Cultural Museum. In another hand, the excavations project work in now, in Nineveh and Nimrud, also the Khorsabad. New projects are also planned to start, like restoring the {unclear}. Despite all these efforts, Nineveh still needs a lot of work due to the massive destruction caused by ISIS. There is a clear lack of trained professionals in archaeology and heritage preservation. And there is an urgent need to training in modern documentation and conservation methods. I think this is very important to support the work in our ... in heritage of Mosul.
Jon Taylor:Yes, thank you. You have been in Britain visiting heritage sites around the country. Is there anything in particular you've seen that has inspired you? Are there ideas you've ... you've gained that you think might be helpful for the gates of Nineveh project back in Mosul?
Mustafa Faraj:Yes, many points I see and noted here in archaeological sites in UK, we can adopt it in the case of Nineveh. Like promoting the sites by the media and also social network like here, or how promoting the archaeological sites in UK. Also, we can adopt it, the how many the sites, and for the organise the visitors we can make tickets for booking the visit to the site, to arrange the people when we visit sites. Also, we can adopt some of modern technology, like a display interactive on the sites. Maybe we can make small plan for the ancient city of Nineveh, like Bath Roman city. This plan of small plan for the reconstructed ancient city of Nineveh, help the people to understand how Nineveh was a great city. I think this is very important. Maybe we can also make a maps and description in the site for the reading by people when visit the gates, to understand the history of the gates. Also we can connect with the present and how these gates and how. The city it connects with the present day, with the people, how it represents the identity heritage for the local community in Mosul.
Jon Taylor:Yeah. Thank you. Something you quite often see in the more popular tourist sites is somebody dressed as, I don't know, a Roman or, you know, a Tudor. Is that something that you think might work in Iraq? You know, if you have somebody dressed as an Assyrian who welcomes you to the site and tells you "this is what it was like to live in my city", you know, something like that, do you think that would work?
Mustafa Faraj:Yes, I think this is very crucial to show for visitors and people interested in this history. In the history how the dressed Assyrian was. I think, in the spring festivals in Mosul, you can see the many people dressed the Assyrian clothes in the festivals.
Jon Taylor:Yeah, year. I can imagine that could be quite impressive at a site like Nineveh.
Mustafa Faraj:Yes.
Jon Taylor:Wonderful. Before you go, I'd like to ask you a little bit about your previous work.
Mustafa Faraj:Yes.
Jon Taylor:You, I believe, as part of your master's work, you worked on the banquet stela, the famous banquet stela. Could you tell us a little bit about what you did with that object?
Mustafa Faraj:Okay, I have conducted research on the banquet stela of Ashurnasirpal the Second. This is stela discovered in Nimrud. The stone inscription records the grand banquet held by Assyrian king to celebrate the completion of the new palace. The text provides valuable insight into the Assyrian religion, practice, political structure, and royal ideology, also the military campaign, the geography information. My academic work focused on analysing information with the stela and comparing it with the excavation results and archaeological survey in Nimrud and its surrounding area. The text of the stella references not only the palace, but also the city of Nimrud itself, temples, gardens, and irrigation system of the support agriculture and royal gardens in the city. In addition the textual and archaeological analysis, I study the stela from the artistic and linguistic perspective. And also created three maps based on information contained in the stela. The first map, for the military campaigns did by Ashurnasirpal the Second, as mentioned in the stela. A second map showing the location of the deported and resettled population across various cities in the ancient near east. A third map for the region, for the visitors and guests who came to the number to attend the royal banquet of the king. This is the main aspects of my thesis about the banquet stela.
Jon Taylor:Thinking about work like you've done on the banquet stela, do you think that that could be displayed at, say, you know, the gates of Nineveh or the gates of Nimrud? As part of the information for the tourist, you take an object, a famous text, something like that, and you display that in detail and talk about places and things like that. Do you think that is possible?
Mustafa Faraj:Yes, doctor, yes. We can make 3D model for the stela, and maybe we can erect it in the original place of where it was discovered by Max Mallowan. I think this is very important with the ... with the translation and description of the text of the stela. I think this is very important to see how the Assyrian kings mentions to the his architect work when we built the palace and temples. I think this is very important also. We can use the text of the stela to take some parts of the text and put in the temple and another place to show the people how the Assyrian kings documented his work by the
Jon Taylor:Yes, indeed, it's a really interesting story, isn't writings on the royal inscription. I think this is very important. it? This fantastic banquet like that? That's something that grabs the imagination. Final question, Mustafa: do you have any publications or any other interviews you would like to tell people about where we can find more about your work and hear more about what you've been doing?
Mustafa Faraj:I have completed my research about the banquet stela to create 3D model, and I will published on the ISAW paper, I think in the ... in this summer, the ISAW paper. ISAW paper belonging back to the ancient history institution of the University of New York.
Jon Taylor:Okay, wonderful. I look forward to reading that.
Mustafa Faraj:Yes, another project. My project now conducting in the ... the UCL, I hope to complete my research about the gates of Nineveh and publish in the Iraq journal here in UK. When I finish the work, maybe the next year, I will try to publish my research in Iraq.
Jon Taylor:Thank you very much.
Ellie Bennett:Thank you so much.
Mustafa Faraj:Thank you very much. I am very happy to speak with you and speak with Ellie.
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