Living Mesopotamia started two heritage conservation projects in Iraq this year. The first, Khan Bani Saad, funded by the Aliph Foundation, Geneva (https://www.aliph-foundation.org/ ) is a historic building conservation project to restore a ruined seventeenth century caravanserai that is located in central Khan Bani Saad, and gives the town its name. The site was badly affected by Iraq’s recent conflicts through lack of maintenance, and a car bomb in 2015. The first phase of the project has now been completed, resulting in the site being documented and secured. We have generated new information about the site in terms of its history and produced a full photogrammetric record which is shared with the local State Board of Antiquities and Heritage office, and provided around 350 hours of work for local workers. In addition we have provided training for eight architecture students from the local Diyala University in the basics of historic building conservation. The second project, Khan Musalla is funded by the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund. This is also an historic building conservation project of a ruined 19th century caravanserai to provide photogrammetry training and to support the restoration works being carried out by the local State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH). This is a short project that will be completed by the end of December 2025; so far we have carried out a complete photogrammetry survey, with training provided to six SBAH employees, and currently the restoration works are being done, providing around 200 hours of work for both local and skilled workers, which is also helping to train workers and to preserve traditional building skills.

The primary stakeholders for both sites is the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, Iraq. For both projects, the local office – Diyala for Khan Bani Saad and Najaf for Khan Musalla, work with us on the projects. They are fully consulted for every step of the project, and their requirements and advice are taken fully on board. In addition at Khan Bani Saad, we are carrying out interviews and informal consultations with local residents who have visited the site while we are working there, and in addition we have also carried out some consultations with local business owners. The local governor has also been consulted and has visited the site. This will feed into the long-term plans for the site, post conservation. For Khan Musalla, we are in the process of carrying out, in conjunction with the University of Kufa, a community research project which involves interviewing members of the local community and other stakeholders. This is to ascertain their views on the site, if and how they visit the site, and how they would like to see it improved. This will all be incorporated into a final report for the local SBAH office.

Caroline Sandes received £12,450 gross remuneration in the year.

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