After Babylon, Borsippa has its eye on World Heritage List

The ancient city of Borsippa in the south of Iraq incorporates religious and historical relics and is hoping to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
BORSIPPA, IRAQ - JUNE 8: A man walks down a road in the shadow of a Mesopotamian ziggurat (C) and a shrine to the prophet Abraham (L) June 8, 2003 in Borsippa, Iraq. The ziggurat, a temple tower, was built by King Nebuchadnezzar about 2,500 years ago. Iraq's cultural heritage has been threatened by the looting of museums and archeological sites following the war. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A man walks down a road in the shadow of a Mesopotamian ziggurat (C) and a shrine to the Prophet Abraham (L) in Borsippa, Iraq, June 8, 2003. - Mario Tama/Getty Images
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Wassim Bassem
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BABIL, Iraq — As preparations continue to have Babylon recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017, the city of Borsippa, which is 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the ruins of the ancient city of Babylon, is on the top of the list of archaeological sites that are most likely to be inscribed on the world list, as the city has not witnessed any construction changes beyond UNESCO specifications.

The city has not had a face-lift for thousands of years, Hussein Falih, the director of the archaeological site, told Al-Monitor. “The Department of Antiquities in Babil governorate is careful not to make any change that would reduce the historical value of the site and is keen on intensifying security measures and protection,” Falih said.

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