Photo caption: The Iraq Museum in Baghdad. Photo credit: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin – Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Ishtar TV – Baghdad

Iraq’s State Board of Antiquities and Heritage has received 154 archaeological artifacts from the excavation mission working at the Jubairiya archaeological site in Salah al-Din Governorate, marking a new step in efforts to document archaeological discoveries and preserve the country’s cultural heritage.

According to a report published by Shafaq News on Monday, November 2, 2026, citing a statement by the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, most of the received artifacts consist of archaeological murals that once decorated buildings at the site. The pieces are distinguished by their artistic and architectural features, as well as their historical significance.

The Board explained that these discoveries are considered rare due to their considerable size and weight, in addition to their artistic and historical value, making them an important addition to Iraq’s archaeological record.

Documentation and Museum Registration

According to the statement, specialized staff at the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage will begin numbering and documenting the artifacts in accordance with established archaeological and museum procedures. Each item will also be assigned an official museum identification record, paving the way for its inclusion in academic studies and scientific research.

These measures aim to organize information about the discoveries, identify their characteristics and register them in museum records, ensuring their preservation and making them accessible to researchers and specialists.

25 Archaeological Missions Operating in Iraq in 2026

In a related development, Rasha Hussein, Director of the National Register Department, stated that 25 archaeological excavation missions were operating in Iraq during 2026, including 21 Iraqi missions and four foreign missions.

This activity reflects the continuation of archaeological excavations at several sites across Iraq, through cooperation between national teams and foreign missions, with the aim of uncovering further historical evidence and documenting the successive civilizations that flourished in Mesopotamia.

The handover of the 154 artifacts from the Jubairiya site in Salah al-Din Governorate forms part of broader efforts to protect and preserve archaeological discoveries and strengthen the role of Iraqi museums in safeguarding the country's cultural heritage for future generations.