Iraq

An unforgettable look at the ancient cities and sites of Iraq where human civilization began!

Iraq: Under an Ancient Sky offers a striking present-day view of some of the world's oldest cities in the Mesopotamian "Cradle of Civilization," including Ur, Uruk, Babylon, and Eridu. Even today, thousands of years after these cities reached their historic pinnacles, these places offer an incredible vision of the splendor and magnificence of Mesopotamia's ancient world.

This visually stunning book features more than 150 duotone photographs by award-winning photographer William Frej, who documents twenty-three ancient cities in present-day Iraq, from Eridu in the south to Erbil in the north. In some places, such as Eridu, the most visible remains of the ancient city are tells--huge mounds created by generations of human habitation that are now covered in dust and sand. At others sites, such as Ur, ziggurats have been largely restored and show their scale and the architectural skills involved in creating urban settings more than five thousand years ago. And at Babylon, original architectural elements and reconstructions combine to reveal a vision of one of history's most famous cities.

In addition to Frej's photographs, Iraq features a foreword by scholar Willem McLoud and an introduction by William Frej, which sets the stage for the visual journey within. Historical context is provided by an essay by art historian Diana K. McDonald that surveys the history of the region from Sumer in the fourth millennium BCE through the Akkadian Empire, Babylonia, and, to the north, Assyria and the cities of the Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanian Empires. Finally, an essay by Zaid Ghazi Saadallah, Director of the Mosul Cultural Museum, completes the picture by offering his perspectives on contemporary preservation activities that highlight the resilience of Iraq in rebuilding its cultural heritage after years of conflict.