Heritage Revival Center Organizes a Seminar “Building Materials Used in Ancient Iraq and Their Role in Preserving Temples and Palaces”
Under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Laith Majid Hussein, Director of the Center for the Revival of Arab Scientific Heritage at the University of Baghdad, the Center organized a seminar on Monday morning, May 26, 2025, in Professor Nabeela Abdul-Munim Dawood Hall, attended by a number of professors and researchers. The seminar was entitled: “Building Materials Used in Ancient Iraq and Their Role in Preserving Temples and Palaces” The lecture was presented by Assistant instructor Milad Mohammed Yassin, a member in the Center, who spoke about the construction materials that played a major role in the building of temples and palaces in Mesopotamian civilization. He emphasized how the environment significantly influenced both the choice of building materials and the types of structures constructed. Clay was the primary material used due to its ease of production and its thermal insulation properties during summer. It was also used as a binding material in construction. The researcher elaborated on the methods of utilizing these materials, including molded mud bricks, which were strengthened by mixing straw and chaff with clay and drying them, resulting in high durability. Their structural method allowed walls to remain intact for extended periods. Fired bricks (ajur) were also highlighted, particularly in the construction of temple foundations due to their resistance to moisture, salt, and high compressive strength. Bitumen was used as a binding agent with fired bricks because of its waterproofing properties. High-quality wood was used as an essential material for roofing temples, while stones, such as limestone, were employed in temple and palace construction and in flooring. Limestone was especially valued for its strength and durability, which contributed to the preservation of these structures up to the present day.
