Lamia Al‑Gailani Werr: Iraqi archaeologist and protector of Mesopotamian heritage

Career and professional work

Al‑Gailani worked as a museum curator in the 1960s, developing expertise in the objects and collections that document the long history of Mesopotamia. Over several decades she maintained working relationships with archaeologists and institutions in Britain and Iraq, a role that took on special importance under the regime of Saddam Hussein when international scholarly exchange and cooperation were often constrained. Her work combined object study, cataloguing, and the practical tasks of museum stewardship.

Preservation after conflict

Following the upheavals of the early 2000s, including the 2003 Iraq War and the widespread looting that affected Iraqi museums and archaeological sites, Al‑Gailani played an active part in efforts to document losses, secure at‑risk collections, and advise on restoration. She was closely involved with projects to restore the National Museum of Iraq and its holdings and contributed to initiatives to re‑establish regional museums such as the Basrah Museum. These efforts combined curatorial skill with international collaboration to recover access to the country’s material past.

Recognition and legacy

In recognition of her lifetime of service to the study and protection of Iraqi antiquities, Al‑Gailani received the Gertrude Bell Memorial Gold Medal from the British Institute for the Study of Iraq in 2009. The award acknowledged her role as a mediator between Iraqi heritage institutions and foreign researchers and museums. Her work influenced museum conservation, collections management, and training of younger Iraqi professionals involved in cultural heritage.

Notable facts and contributions

• Worked as a curator at the National Museum of Iraq in the 1960s and later advised on its reconstruction; see National Museum of Iraq.
• Helped establish and support regional museum projects, including efforts that led to the founding of the Basrah Museum.
• Maintained scholarly ties between British and Iraqi archaeological communities during politically difficult periods.
• Honored with the Gertrude Bell Memorial Gold Medal for contributions to Mesopotamian archaeology and cultural preservation.

Al‑Gailani died in Amman, Jordan, on 18 January 2019 while traveling to Iraq. Her career is remembered for its combination of academic knowledge, practical museum work, and determined advocacy for the protection of Iraq’s archaeological heritage.