Lakeside Arts
Part of University of Nottingham
Lakeside Arts
An image of a woman at the preview of the Eye as Witness wearing a VR headset

A British Museum touring exhibition

ANCIENT IRAQ: NEW DISCOVERIES

Saturday 26 March – Sunday 19 June 2022
Djanogly Gallery, Lakeside Arts

ANCIENT IRAQ - THE CRADLE OF CIVILISATION

Some of the first cities in the world developed in Ancient Iraq. Its people developed and devised many things that we take for granted today, from the wheel to schools. They invented irrigation systems to water crops, divided time into 60-second minutes and 60-minute hours, and created writing – one of the most important developments in human history.

This British Museum touring exhibition celebrates the rich cultural legacy of Iraq through 80 remarkable objects and two fascinating stories, helping to highlight the challenges of protecting Iraq's diverse cultural heritage following decades of conflict.

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A decorative border with outlines of various artefacts from Ancient Iraq

The first story is a tale of one of Ancient Iraq’s earliest cities, Girsu, home of the world’s oldest surviving bridge and an archaeological site that date dates to over 4,000 years old. The latter one is of Qalatga Darband, an ancient fortress built around 2,000 years ago in what is now Iraqi Kurdistan, during a turbulent time of changing empires.

Star objects in the exhibition will highlight previous fieldwork, archaeological research and new discoveries made in both of these sites as part of the British Museum's Iraq Scheme (2015-2020). The British Museum is now looking to the future as it continues to work with Iraqi colleagues to help restore this country’s precious past after years of damage and destruction.

With the support of the Dorset Community Foundation, in memory of Harry M Weinrebe.

 

ANCIENT IRAQ – FANTASTIC FIRSTS

Fantastic Firsts: Writing

Did you know Ancient Iraqis developed the world's first writing system? Mesopotamians developed the world's first writing system over five thousand years ago. Watch this video to see how and why they developed it.

Fantastic Firsts: Schools

Did you know the first schools in the world have been found in Ancient Iraq? Mesopotamian children went to school at around 5-7 years of age. Watch this video to see what they learned and what their classrooms were like.

Ancient Iraq - Fantastic Firsts: Time

Have you ever wondered why there are 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour? Watch to see how the people of Ancient Iraq developed how we today record time.

Ancient Iraq - Fantastic Firsts: Cities

Have you ever wondered how people of different cultures got along in ancient times? Multiculturalism is not a modern concept, Ancient Iraq was the bridge between eastern and western culture.

Ancient Iraq - Fantastic Firsts: Multicultural Iraq

Have you ever wondered how people of different cultures got along in ancient times? Multiculturalism is not a modern concept, Ancient Iraq was the bridge between eastern and western culture.

Ancient Iraq - Fantastic Firsts: Parthian Riders

Have you ever heard of the Parthian Riders? Everyone has heard of Nottingham’s famous archer Robin Hood but did you know Ancient Iraq had their own highly skilled archers on horseback known as the Parthian Riders.

BIG DISCOVERY WEEKEND

Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 June
Admission free | Suitable for all the family

In the final weekend of the Ancient Iraq: New Discoveries exhibition, join us for a weekend of free drop-in craft activities inspired by the stories behind the objects on display. Come and enjoy your own journey of discovery exploring the fascinating heritage and artefacts of Ancient Iraq. The activities are created by University of Nottingham students and are suitable for all the family.

MORE ABOUT BIG DISCOVERY WEEKEND

an image of children's hands playing with clay

TALKS

If you're interested in learning more about what Ancient Iraq was like, we have a series of talks available to accompany the exhibition.

Community Reconciliation in Post-War Mosul's Old Town
Museum

Community Reconciliation in Post-War Mosul's Old Town

Saturday 26 March - Sunday 19 June
University of Nottingham Museum

Discover how the local community in Mosul’s Old Town use their memories and understanding of their heritage to reconstruct their historic town.  

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Feasts of the Dead: Mortuary Ritual in the Royal Cemetery at Ur
Museum

Feasts of the Dead: Mortuary Ritual in the Royal Cemetery at Ur

Saturday 02 April 1pm and 2.15pm
Djanogly Gallery

Learn what archaelogists have learnt from the 'royal' cemetery of Ur.

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Discovering the Sumerians
Museum

Discovering the Sumerians

Tuesday 12 April 1pm
Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts

Find out more about the people who created the world's earliest civilisation. 

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Girsu and the Sumerians
Museum

Girsu and the Sumerians

Tuesday 24 May 1pm
Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts

This lecture, by Dr Sebastien Rey, Curator for Ancient Mesopotamia, British Museum, will present the results of the multifaceted research programme carried out in the field at Girsu.

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Fascinating Finds from Nottingham's Caves
Museum

Fascinating Finds from Nottingham's Caves

Friday 12 January - Sunday 07 July
University of Nottingham Museum

This exhibition highlights some of the fascinating finds from Nottingham's caves. 

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The establishment of Iraq's first maritime heritage museum
Museum

The establishment of Iraq's first maritime heritage museum

Wednesday 15 June 1pm
Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts

Find out more about the establishment of Iraq's first maritime heritage museum.

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Hearing the Silence of an Old Mosul
Museum

Hearing the Silence of an Old Mosul

Thursday 12 May 1pm
Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts

This talk with Professor Mohamed Gamal Abdelmonem addresses the mutual impact of destroyed historic building and urban fabric of Old Mosul.

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Portrait of a Ruler: the art of Gudea
Museum

Portrait of a Ruler: the art of Gudea

Saturday 07 May 1pm and 2.15pm
Djanogly Gallery

What can you find out about Gudea, ruler of Lagash?

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The multicultural communities of Seleucid and Parthian Mesopotamia
Museum

The multicultural communities of Seleucid and Parthian Mesopotamia

Saturday 04 June 1pm and 2.15pm
Djanogly Gallery

What can female figures dating to the time of the Seleucid and Parthian empires tell us about the beliefs?

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FAMILIES & MUSIC

We have an amazing family workshop where you'll be able to explore the exhibition and disocver more about the artifacts within, plus we are hosting the Oud master Ahmed Mukhtar in a concert celebrating the music of Iraq!

Clay Treasures
Children & Families

Clay Treasures

Tuesday 05 April 10am-12noon
Visual Arts Studio

Explore the Ancient Iraq: new discoveries exhibition and make your own discoveries and treasures out of clay.

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Ahmed Mukhtar: The Music of Iraq
Music

Ahmed Mukhtar: The Music of Iraq

Thursday 05 May 7.30pm
Djanogly Recital Hall

Classical musical of Iraq, complementing our Ancient Iraq: New Discoveries exhibition.

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Safety Information

The safety of our visitors, staff and students is our priority. Here's what we're doing to help keep everyone safe, and what you can do to help.

 

FACE COVERINGS

In line with government guidelines, all staff and visitors must wear a face covering when inside our buildings. Read our list of exemptions. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. If no tissue is available, use your elbow.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Although it is no longer mandatory, we ask that visitors give people space where it is sensible or requested.

IF YOU'RE FEELING UNWELL

We will refund tickets to anyone that tests positive or is displaying symptoms of Covid-19 as long as we’re notified at least two hours prior to an event start time.

HAND SANITISER STATIONS

Hand sanitiser is available at regular intervals throughout our venues. We recommend you make use of these upon arriving and leaving our venue.

INCREASED CLEANING

The frequency of our cleaning throughout our venues has been increased, including toilets and other facilities.

CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS

We are able to accept both contactless and cash payments in our venues, though contactless payments are preferred.

A decorative border with outlines of various artefacts from Ancient Iraq

A sneak peek at some of Ancient Iraq exhibits