Najaf sewer project uncovers human remains and ancient pottery along main road

NAJAF — Workers from the Al-Manathira Sewer Directorate uncovered human remains and ancient pottery while excavating for a sewer project on the road leading to Al-Manathira General Hospital in southern Najaf.

The Najaf Governorate Council’s Antiquities Committee downplayed the discovery, stating it would not halt the infrastructure project. Excavation crews will continue their work with heightened caution under the supervision of the Antiquities Inspectorate.

“There are artifacts, but they are not of importance or worth delaying essential projects for the city,” said Siham Al-Mihna, head of the Antiquities Committee in the Najaf Governorate Council, speaking to 964media.

According to Al-Mihna, the discovered items consisted of food storage jars, which were examined by the Antiquities Inspectorate after being sent to Baghdad. “The project will continue but with extreme caution and under the supervision of the Antiquities Inspectorate due to public pressure to complete it as soon as possible, as it is part of a main road leading to Al-Manathira Hospital,” she said.

In Iraq, the preservation of human remains and ancient artifacts is governed by several national laws and international agreements. Domestically, Law No. 55 of 2002, known as the Antiquities and Heritage of Iraq Law, mandates that any person who discovers an immovable antiquity must inform the nearest official authority within 24 hours. The law also prohibits the sale or export of antiquities and heritage artifacts without proper authorization.