Donny George, the former director of research at the Iraq State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, who was in post during the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, died last month in Toronto.
The 60-year-old, who was born in Habania, Iraq, began working for the antiquities board after gaining undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees in archaeology from Baghdad University.
After the Iraq National Museum was looted at the start of the 2003 war, George helped to recover many of the 15,000 missing objects, continuing to champion the museum even after the country’s instability forced him into exile in the US in 2006.
Before he left, George was also instrumental in establishing an archaeological police force and beginning repair works on the museum. He is survived by his wife and three children.
The 60-year-old, who was born in Habania, Iraq, began working for the antiquities board after gaining undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees in archaeology from Baghdad University.
After the Iraq National Museum was looted at the start of the 2003 war, George helped to recover many of the 15,000 missing objects, continuing to champion the museum even after the country’s instability forced him into exile in the US in 2006.
Before he left, George was also instrumental in establishing an archaeological police force and beginning repair works on the museum. He is survived by his wife and three children.
