The Kurdistan Region Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism said on Sunday that in cooperation with experts from the prestigious Harvard University, they have discovered 750 archaeological sites in the Erbil plains since 2012. The ministry described in a statement the Archaeological Survey Project in the Erbil Plain area, launched in 2012, as one of the most important ventures they have led in the field. A Harvard University team is supervising the efforts, the ministry said, adding that the Erbil Directorate of Antiquities has registered the discovery of 750 archaeological sites.
A comprehensive and up to date list of top feature films and documentaries by Kurdish filmmakers and those by non-Kurds on the Kurds.
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Many books have been written on Kurdistan and many more are awaited. There are two key books that offer in-depth background information and insights on where the Kurdistan Region has come from.
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A rich collections of photo books by top photographers, among them Anthony Kersting, Chris Kutschera, Francois Xavier Lovat, Susan Meiselas, Wildfred Thesiger, Saeed M. Aznaveh, and Gulan-UK collection.
From the February 1909 issue onwards National Geographic Magazine published more than ten articles with direct reference to Kurdistan.
In the midst of everything else . . .
Films by Jano Rosebiani that have found their way to Hollywood.
Most popular books by outsiders about Kurdistan. Among the authors are A.H. Layard, Isabella Bird, E.B. Soane, Edgar Wigram, Rupert Hay, A.M. Hamilton, J.C. Edmunds, Wadie Jwaideh, Dana Adam Schmidt, and Martin Van Bruinessen.
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The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were not in Babylon, south of Baghdad! We learned in primary/elementary/basic school about the 'Hanging Gardens of Babylon' as one of the 'Seven Ancient Wonders of the World'. Of the seven, the Gardens were the only one of the Wonders that hasn't been found.
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An archaeology magazine talks of many places to visit that illustrate Kurdistan's rich cultural heritage. Some sites are among the oldest in the world - Shanidar Cave, Erbil Citadel, Dwin Castle, the Jerwan aqueduct, Gaugamela, and Lalish among others.
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Travel writer Tim Neville discusses why you'd enjoy vacationing in northern Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
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"Each year the Adventure Travel Trade Association seeks motivated tour operators who show a demonstrated potential for positive impact on local cultural, ecological or historical resources for the Tour Operator Scholarship program.
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What if a little-known area in the Middle east was one of the best tourist destinations in the future?
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"Until the beginning of 2014, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) fledgling tourism industry was growing at an impressive pace. Domestic and international investment was on the rise, and the region’s capital, Erbil, was celebrating its status as the 2014 Capital of Arab Tourism.
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Harvard University has compiled a listing of all current archaeological projects in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq here.
A pdf version can be downloaded here.
See also Erbil Plain Archaeological Survey.
The Slemani Museum was just named as one of the Top Ten Must-Visit Museums of Gulf States!
The Slemani Museum gained notoriety in 2011 after Kurdish authorities offered rewards for the return of artefacts stolen in looting. This was a controversial move, but helped the museum rebuild its impressive collection - only $600 was paid for the return of an ancient Sumerian text, and a large proportion of the 15,000 stolen artefacts have now been returned to the Iraqi museum. Artefacts date from 15,000, and include the obelisk of Hammurabi, whose origins can be traced back to 1792-1750 BC.
Order your copy of the one and only Kurdistan Tour Guide book by Dr. Douglas Layton.
Order at this link
