Taha Baqir

Doctor
Taha Baqir
طه باقر
Born 1912
Babylon, Iraq
Died 28 February 1984
Ma'loula, Syria
Nationality Iraqi
Occupation Archaeologist, author, historian, linguist, academic
Years active 1938–1983
Organization Iraqi Department of Antiquities, Iraqi National Museum, University of Baghdad, Iraqi Academy of Sciences
Known for Discovering the 4000-year-old Laws of Eshnunna
Notable work Akkadian to Arabic translation of the Epic of Gilgamesh

Taha Baqir (Arabic: طه باقر Taha Baqir) (born 1912 in Babylon, Iraq – 28 February 1984) was an Iraqi archaeologist, author, cuneiformist, linguist, historian, and former curator of the National Museum of Iraq.[1][2]

Baqir is considered one of Iraq's most eminent archaeologists. Among the works he is remembered for are his Akkadian to Arabic translation of the Epic of Gilgamesh, his decipherment of Sumero-Akkadian mathematical tablets,[1] his Akkadian law code discoveries, and his excavations of ancient Babylonian and Sumerian sites; including the ancient Sumerian city of Shaduppum in Baghdad.[3][4]

Baqir was proficient in the four historical Iraqi languages (Arabic, Aramaic, Akkadian, Sumerian), as well as English, French, and German.

Career

Iraqi Department of Antiquities and Heritage

In Libya

University of Baghdad

Iraqi Academy of Sciences

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Robson, Eleanor (2008). Mathematics in Ancient Iraq: A Social History. Princeton University Press. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-691-09182-2.
  2. Saudi Aramco World, Volume 30, Number 5, September/October 1979.
  3. Taha Baqir, Excavations at Harmal, Sumer 4, pp 137-39, 1948.
  4. Taha Baqir, Tell Harmal, The Republic of Iraq Directorate of Antiquities, 1959.