The Ancient Near East is considered one of the most important regions that witnessed the rise of early civilizations. On its land, the oldest civilizations in the world were established, and the first foundations of social, political, and economic organization were formed. For these reasons, the West recognized at an early stage the archaeological importance of the Ancient Near East. Interest in its antiquities increased due to the abundance of massive archaeological sites and prominent landmarks that clearly demonstrate the advanced level achieved by those societies. Therefore, archaeology in relation to the Near East began to develop in the second half of the nineteenth century, given its importance to scholars of history and civilizations. As a result, European travelers, since the mid-sixteenth century, turned their attention to regions of the Near East, including Iraq. Their accounts sparked curiosity in Europe about the past, leading European scientific institutions to send expeditions to various parts of the Near East. This movement expanded to include agents of foreign companies and resident representatives of their countries, who conducted excavations at several sites in Iraq and collected cuneiform tablets. However, their work was often closer to treasure hunting, focusing mainly on extracting large artifacts such as sculptures. Their writings played a significant role in stimulating European interest and enthusiasm for the antiquities of the Near East, resulting in the publication of numerous books and articles, the delivery of lectures, and the establishment of specialized journals. Archaeological materials were also collected, many of which were transferred to European museums. Consequently, European universities established departments and institutes specializing in archaeology, and the number of museums increased, all requiring artifacts for display. This led to intensified competition among these countries and a surge in archaeological expeditions to the Ancient Near East. Expeditions were sent to Iraq, Egypt, the Arabian Peninsula, as well as to Turkey, Iran, and the Levant. Scientific excavations in Iraq began specifically in Babylon in 1899, resulting in the discovery of numerous archaeological sites. Thus, archaeology became a field for conducting research encompassing multiple branches and specializations. In Iraq, the Department of Antiquities was established in 1922, followed by the Iraqi Museum in 1924 in Al-Qishla. Later, relations between foreign expeditions and the Directorate of Antiquities were organized, especially after the enactment of a specific antiquities law. Iraqi archaeologists began supervising foreign excavation teams, and local expertise in archaeology developed. Iraq entered the field of archaeological survey and excavation in 1938. The Iraqi Museum expanded with artifacts obtained from both foreign and Iraqi excavations, and a new museum building was opened in Al-Salihiyah in 1966. Additionally, a Department of Archaeology was established at the University of Baghdad in 1951, after which archaeology departments and colleges spread across Iraqi universities #AlMustaqbal_University_First_Among_Private_Universities_in_Iraq