Don't Know Nuthin' 'Bout His-to-ry

The horrors of Iraq's contemporary history--the rule of the fascist Baath regime, its overthrow and the chaos that followed--tends to overshadow its rich culture and ancient past. Here are some websites devoted to recovering and preserving Iraq's ancient and modern past:

Oriental Institute - Lost Treasures From Iraq

Iraqi Art . com - From modern pioneers to the new milennium

Iraq Memory Foundation - Plastic art & music

Finally, a reminder that in 1954, the Hague adopted a law dictating that states preserve and protect cultural property and artifacts during armed conflict. It is called the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

UPDATE:

Here's a page from the Guardian on Iraq's sites of, as they say, cultural heritage.