The land between the two rivers, the cradle of civilization, the fertile crescent, the birthplace of great empires—Mesopotamia is known by many names. Yet these only begin to capture a land deeply inscribed with a rich tapestry of peoples, places, and enduring legacies. From the votive-filled mudbrick temples of the Early Dynastic period to the richly adorned monumental palaces of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, from portable stone statues to colossal guardian figures, from colonial-era excavations to modern exhibitions and ongoing preservation initiatives, Mesopotamian objects and their material worlds tell a story of cultural traditions, political power, economic networks, artistic ingenuity, and resilient identities layered across time.

This talk traces the intricate journey of these artifacts—from their creation and significance in antiquity to their modern rediscovery, from scholarly study and public display to widespread displacement, irreparable destruction, and the determined efforts to preserve them. In dialogue with the Allspice | Michael Rakowitz & Ancient Cultures exhibition at the Acropolis Museum, it further reflects on the persistence of cultural memory and critical artistic engagements—among them The invisible enemy should not exist, the ongoing project of Iraqi-American artist Michael Rakowitz, that confronts erasure and reimagines Mesopotamia’s enduring presence in the modern world.