Controversial move to reopen Babylon

5-20-09
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/article.asp?id=17332

The Iraqi government plans to open Babylon to visitors on 1 June, according to news reports. Iraq’s state board of antiquities and heritage is opposing the move, on the grounds that the site needs further protection and investigation before being reopened. This follows the controversial reopening of Baghdad’s National Museum on 23 February, after a government decision to proceed with this, defying opposition from curators who felt that it was too early.

The reopening of Babylon also coincides with suggestions that modern additions to the site introduced by Saddam Hussein should eventually be removed.