Iraq’s Museums and Their Classification<br />Dr: fouziah Mahdi Al-Maliki – Head of the Archaeology Department – Al-Mustaqbal University<br /><br />This article aims to contribute to the promotion of the eleventh goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Sustainable Cities and Communities.<br /><br />The Arabic word "museum" refers to a place where valuable, rare, and antique objects are collected, increasing in historical and cultural significance over time. The English term "Museum" originates from the Greek word "Musa", meaning "Lady of the Mountain", which was associated with the Nine Muses—deities in Greek mythology who were believed to be the patrons of various arts and sciences.<br /><br />A museum can be defined as a permanent, non-profit, educational, cultural, and recreational institution that serves society by collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and safeguarding the cultural and historical heritage of humanity and nature. Museums play a vital role in preserving and presenting human civilization's legacy in an engaging and informative manner.<br /><br />The International Council of Museums (ICOM) defines museums, in all their diverse forms, as secure institutions dedicated to preserving the cultural, artistic, industrial, natural, and historical heritage of humanity across different historical periods. Through visiting museums and exploring their collections, people gain insights into the cultural and historical legacies of past civilizations. They learn about the lifestyles, professions, tools, and artistic expressions of ancient societies, the architectural structures they built, and the art forms they practiced throughout history. Museums provide valuable opportunities to study the evolution of human life and civilizations, showcasing artifacts such as archaeological objects, architectural structures, water management systems, and historical sites, helping to understand the civilizations that have shaped our world over thousands of years.<br /><br />Classification of Museums in Iraq<br />Iraq’s museums can be categorized into the following types:<br /><br />1. Archaeological and Civilizational Museums<br />These museums display Iraq’s historical and archaeological artifacts in chronological order, representing its rich heritage as revealed through archaeological excavations over the years. Prominent museums in this category include:<br /><br />The Iraq Museum<br />Mosul Museum<br />Basra Museum<br />Nasiriyah Museum<br />Babylon Museum<br />Kufa Museum<br />Diwaniyah Museum<br />Kut Museum<br />Kirkuk Museum<br />Anbar Museum<br />Samarra Museum<br />Tikrit Museum<br />Erbil Museum<br />Sulaymaniyah Museum<br />Duhok Museum<br />Diyala Museum<br />Samawah Museum<br />Maysan Museum<br />All these institutions exhibit Iraq’s archaeological discoveries, presenting the evolution of civilizations that have flourished in the region through various historical epochs.<br /><br />2. Historical and Heritage Museums<br />These museums highlight Iraq’s modern and contemporary cultural, political, social, and literary history. Notable examples include:<br /><br />Hilla Historical and Heritage Museum<br />Leader Abdul Karim Qasim Museum<br />King Ghazi Museum<br />Poet Badr Shakir Al-Sayyab Museum (Basra)<br />Kirkuk Heritage Museum<br />Halabja Memorial Museum<br />Alqosh Heritage Museum<br />Kurdish Textile and Cultural Museum (Erbil)<br />Syriac Heritage Museum (Erbil)<br />Wax Museum (Sulaymaniyah)<br />Najaf Heritage and 1920 Revolution Museum<br />Postal Stamps Museum<br />Museum of the Victims of the Ba'ath Regime (Al-Qishla)<br />Marshlands Museum<br />Holy Shrine of Imam Hussein Museum<br />Al-Kafeel Museum of the Holy Abbasid Shrine<br />3. Scientific and Natural History Museums<br />Among the most significant museums in this category is:<br /><br />The Natural History Museum (Baghdad): This museum showcases Iraq’s biodiversity and natural resources, including animal, plant, and mineral specimens. It also features educational exhibits on reptiles, amphibians, fish, agricultural crops, and native plant species, serving as a crucial center for scientific research and education.<br />Conclusion<br />Museums serve as guardians of history, culture, and scientific knowledge, playing a crucial role in documenting, preserving, and educating society about the past. In Iraq, these institutions not only protect the nation's rich heritage but also function as educational and research centers, fostering a deeper understanding of the country's civilizational contributions.<br />Al‑Mustaqbal University – The Premier University in Iraq.<br />