Duhok National Museum: A Window to Kurdistan's Past

The Duhok National Museum offers a glimpse into the long and varied history of the Duhok region in Iraqi Kurdistan. Though modest in size, the museum's collection showcases artifacts discovered in the area, with the oldest dating back to the seventh millennium BCE. These finds, unearthed by Kurdish archaeologists, represent the diverse civilizations that have called this region home. The museum's collection includes a range of items, such as Roman coins, cuneiform texts, pottery, stone vessels, oil lamps and an assortment of jewelry. These objects provide tangible links to the Sumerian, Hellenistic, and Parthian periods, illustrating Duhok's importance as a crossroads of culture. The museum also highlights the more recent Kurdish culture, displaying traditional clothing, textiles, and household items. Established in 1989, the museum faced challenges during the Kurdish uprising in 1991 when many artifacts were moved to Baghdad. It officially reopened in 2013 and continues to serve as a repository of Kurdish heritage. While not all of the museum's holdings are on display due to space constraints, plans are underway to expand to a larger location with a park and more exhibit space.