First Aid Interventions to the World Heritage Site of Hatra after Daesh Occupation

Hatra, founded in the 2nd or 3rd century BCE and destroyed in the middle of the 3rd century CE, is the best-preserved example of a Parthian city. Located in an isolated area of the desert steppe of northern Iraq, Hatra was an important religious and trading centre, and a major stop on a trading route leading to Palmyra, Baalbek, and Petra. The site was occupied by Daesh in 2014. The archaeological area, used for military training, was targeted by jihadist militants for propaganda purposes: more irreplaceable and unique Hatrene art was vandalized or severely damaged, threatening to further erase an already under-studied field. The site was placed on the World Heritage in Danger list on 1st of July 2015. An initial assessment of the site in 2020 discovered critical issues on the site. The first phase of the project included a needs assessment to determine the course of work. The second phase cleaned the site of 350 tons of rubble and about 6 tons of metal debris. 10 unexploded bombs were safely recovered; and further documentation measures such as a 3D survey of the monument, were carried out. In addition, the maintenance of the site facilities and restoration activities for the monuments, for architectural elements, and for sculptures were completed. Finally, nearly 3,000 fragments were collected, inventoried, photographed, and secured. During this work, eight SBAH officials received on-site training on stone conservation methods and repair. Ten young local workers were trained to carry out routine maintenance of the archaeological site. This completion of this second phase was marked by a celebration at Hatra in March 2022. The site is now accessible, with few restrictions, to a growing number of Iraqi and foreign visitors. The third phase was launched in March 2023 with the goal of removing Hatra from the List of World Heritage in Danger. The activities include conserving and cataloguing damaged artifacts and preparing detailed restoration plans for the three structures at risk of collapse as well as and a site-wide conservation plan.