A new exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum exploring cultural identity and place has been developed through a unique partnership with Oxford residents from the Middle East. Owning the Past: from Mesopotamia to Iraq critically examines the role Oxford University played during the early 20th century in the formation of the nation state of Iraq, previously Mesopotamia and the importance of the remains of the ancient past in modern cultural identities. Using a selection of objects, maps and diaries featured in the exhibition, local residents from the Middle East reflect on the colonial legacy that continues to have an impact today. And for the first time at the Ashmolean the entire exhibition will be presented in two languages – English and Arabic.

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