Iraq

Iraq: Under an Ancient Sky offers a striking present-day view of some of the world’s oldest cities in Mesopotamia, the “Cradle of Civilization.” Even today, thousands of years after reaching their historic pinnacles, these cities offer an incredible vision of the splendor and magnificence of Mesopotamia’s ancient world. This visually stunning book features 132 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, 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 other sites, such as Ur, ziggurats have been largely restored and show their scale and the architectural skills involved in creating urban settings more than 5,000 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 compelling photographs, Iraq features a foreword by renowned scholar Willem McLoud and an introduction by William Frej, both of which set the stage for the visual journey within. In his essay, Zaid Ghazi Saadallah, Director of the Mosul Cultural Museum, offers his perspectives on contemporary preservation activities that highlight the resilience of Iraq in rebuilding its cultural heritage after years of war and conflict. And historical context is provided in an essay by art historian Diana K. McDonald who surveys the history of the region from Sumer in the fourth millennium BCE through the Akkadian Empire, Babylonia, and Assyria to the north and the cities of the Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanian Empires. Iraq is a book that informs, inspires, and enlightens readers about a place where human civilization began.