Courtesy Photo | The Aqur Quf Ziggurat, west of Baghdad, is considered one of the most well preserved...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Karl Schell
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Plans are in the works to help restore one of Aqur Quf's oldest landmark: the Ziggurat.
The Ziggurat of Aqur Quf, which lies west of Baghdad, is one of the best preserved religious landmarks of its kind in Iraq. It dates back to 1400 B.C. and was built as a monument to the local religion.
Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, are working in conjunction with the citizens of Iraq and branches of the Government of Iraq to rebuild and repair the site and buildings in an effort to reopen the Ziggurat as a tourist attraction.
Once open, it will offer a promising future of commerce from around the Middle East. The rebuilding alone will offer work for the Iraqi citizens through the rebuilding, and once the rebuilding is complete and open to the public, it will provide the economy with a steady working environment and a constant flow of tourists, which will provide business to other merchants in Aqur Quf, said Capt. Devon McRainey, native of Dublin, Ohio, and Co. C executive officer.
"It feels good to be a part rebuilding important historical sights of Iraq's culture," he said.
The project will begin with the repair to the fence that surrounds the Ziggurat. The next step is to ensure the safety of the historical artifacts, which will be brought back to the site from a holding place in Baghdad. The artifacts are currently held by the Ministry of Ruins until the completion of the repairs.
Once the project is finished the Aqur Quf Ziggurat will be the home to a new restaurant, park and tours guided by historians.
"This will stand as an example that Iraqi security is improving," said Capt. David Uthlaut, a native of Charleston, S.C., and Co. C commander. "If we leave any mark on the people of Iraq, this will be a great one."
| Date Taken: | 10.22.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.22.2008 15:10 |
| Story ID: | 25407 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 374 |
| Downloads: | 287 |
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