Italian Government donates replica of Nimrod Bull statue to Basra Museum after ISIS destruction

BASRA, Iraq — Following the devastating destruction wrought by the Islamic State (ISIS) on irreplaceable cultural heritage, including the iconic Nimrod Bull statue, the Italian government extended a gesture of solidarity by presenting a printed replica to the Iraqi government, specifically to the Basra Museum.

Dating back to the ancient civilization of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people in Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia), these invaluable antiquities have endured centuries of tumult and strife, facing numerous threats of theft and vandalism, even within museum confines.

The Nimrod Bull, a symbol of cultural heritage and resilience, fell victim to ISIS’s reign of terror in 2015 when they pillaged Iraq. In an effort to mitigate this irreparable loss, the Italian government organized the creation of a 3D printed replica, which now stands proudly at the entrance of the Basra Museum.

Under the auspices of Italian Ambassador Maurizio Griganti and in the presence of Iraqi Minister of Culture Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani, the unveiling ceremony marked a poignant moment of collaboration and cultural restoration.

This replica, meticulously crafted by the Incontro di Civiltà association with the support of the Terzo Pilastro Foundation, serves as a beacon of resilience and remembrance, ensuring that the legacy of the original Nimrod Bull, erected near Mosul in the 9th century BC, endures for future generations.