Iraq's ancient treasures in danger

Iraq has some ancient sites which are thousands of years old. The area was home to the Sumerian and Babylonian people. But now, these special places are in danger of disappearing. Sand is quickly covering them again.

This is the ancient Sumerian site of Umm al-Aqarib. In the past, thieves were the biggest problem but now, it's sandstorms. Historian Aqeel al-Mansrawi explains the risk of climate change.

Aqeel al-Mansrawi: "The recent climate changes greatly affected this site, so we see that quicksand began to cover this site. Large parts of this site were covered by quicksand as a result of drought and lack of cultivation in surrounding areas."

Iraq has been badly hit by climate change, according to the United Nations. Temperatures in the summer months can reach 50 degrees Celsius. Farmers have left the area and the lack of plants has made the situation worse. In the heat, the water dries up and only salt remains. The salt damages the ancient sites further.

One plan is to plant trees around the site to protect it. That will cost $3.8 million, but Mansrawi believes the sandstorms are too powerful.

Aqeel al-Mansrawi: "With this massive increase of quicksand in this area, it will probably cover in the next 10 years, 80 to 90% of these sites. Even in the future, if excavation missions want to work in those sites, additional efforts will be needed to reveal some ruins."

What's left of these ancient cultures - some 4,000 years old - is disappearing under the sand.

View Less