Abdulrahman Al-Khafaji

Biography

Abdulrahman is an Archaeological Excavator, currently working at the Iraq Museum’s Department of Ancient Writings and Cuneiforms, which specialises in clay tablets and vessels containing inscriptions and writings in Aramaic, Syriac and Hebrew. Abdulrahman’s work focuses on inventorying the department’s antiquities, as well as assisting local and international researchers and scholars with their studies. He is also responsible for writing text panels documenting how objects came into the museum’s collection.

Abdulrahman regularly participates in committees related to the work of his department within the museum on topics such as exhibitions, opening committees, or receiving clay tablets from across Iraq and abroad. This year he designated as a point of contact and coordination between the Iraqi Museum and all foreign museums and institutions around the world.

Whilst at the British Museum, Abdulrahman was interested in learning about modern methods of conservation and documentation, and he plans to share this knowledge with his colleagues at the Iraq Museum and implement a professional collection database. He was also interested to see different methods of display, specifically for paintings, and methods of storage to preserve artefacts for future generations.

As well as this, Abdulrahman looked forward to seeing the Mesopotamia collections, specifically cuneiform tablets, seals, obelisks and coins, and embracing the opportunity to learn from the other fellows, and exchange ideas and cultures.

At the British Museum

During his time at the British Museum, Abdulrahman was based in Department of Middle East and his UK partner placement was spent at Tyne & Wear Museums and Archives, Newcastle.

Abdulrahman’s participation on the International Training Programme was generously supported by the Barakat Trust.