University of Turin resumes archaeological mission at Seleucia on the Tigris in Iraq

The University of Turin has resumed its archaeological mission at Seleucia on the Tigris in Iraq, known as the Italian Archaeological Expedition at Seleucia on the Tigris (IAES). The site, founded by Seleucus I Nicator (358–281 BCE) near modern Baghdad, was a major Hellenistic-Parthian capital covering over 700 hectares. Despite excavations since the 1930s, less than 10% of the site has been explored. The mission, directed by professors Carlo Lippolis and Vito Messina, began a new phase in 2022 under an agreement with Iraq's State Board of Antiquities and Heritage. Current excavations focus on a square parallel to the north agora and its surrounding buildings. So far, four campaigns have yielded promising results. The team is working in Sector 1 on the eastern side, with Sector 2 on the western side to start in November. Previous excavations (1963–1990s) under Giorgio Gullini uncovered an agora, a theater at Tell 'Umar, a stoa, and a network of orthogonal streets. A rich deposit of clay bullae with Greek and Mesopotamian iconography was found in the archives building, reflecting cultural integration. Notable finds include a bronze statue of Heracles with Greek and Parthian inscriptions, now at the Iraq Museum in Baghdad. About 1,500 artifacts are held at the Museo di Arte Orientale (MAO) in Turin. The mission involves young archaeologists from the University of Turin, CRAST collaborators, and local staff.