Courtesy of the Detroit Institute of Arts

DETROIT — As ISIS destroys artifacts and archaeological sites in Iraq and Syria, the Detroit Institute of Arts is preserving remnants of ancient times in the Fertile Crescent and other parts of the Middle East. 

The museum opened its newly renovated Ancient Middle East gallery last week. The nearly 3,000-square-foot permanent exhibit features artifacts from present-day Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Turkey and Yemen.

Geoff Emberling, consulting curator for the exhibit and assistant research scientist at the University of Michigan’s Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, said the Ancient Middle East gallery is especially significant in light of the relics that have been ruined by conflict in the region.

“We’re reminded of the collections that are safe when we see these objects under threat,” Emberling said. 

Destruction continued this week when ISIS militants blew up the 2,000-year-old Arch of Triumph in the Syrian city of Palmyra.

Earlier this year, ISIS forces ravaged a palace in Nimrud, Iraq with barrel bombs. A stone relief of an Assyrian king from that palace is part of the Ancient Middle East collection. 

The 177 pieces in the gallery trace the interplay between technology and art in the early Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Roman and Arabian empires.

Standout objects include a panel of bright, glazed ceramic bricks depicting a dragon from the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and a mosaic from the floor of a Roman house, illustrating the presence of imperialism in region during ancient times. 

A small stone hand ax, possibly from northern Iraq, Syria or southeast Turkey, is the oldest item on display in the museum, dating back to 8,000 B.C., Emberling said. 

Displays also include clay tablets inscribed with cuneiform, the world’s first writing system, and intricately carved stamps and cylinder seals.

The first half of the gallery is divided into four sections — metalworking, stone carving, ceramics and writing — and focuses on how the technologies influenced the development of art. 

The second half of the gallery looks at how some of the first rulers used art to strengthen their societies and their power. 

Emberling said development of the installation followed the visitor-centered approach the DIA is known for. That involved closely collaborating with Swarupa Anila, DIA director of interpretive engagement, on all aspects from developing the idea the exhibit centers on to writing display labels.

Beyond interacting with the exhibit, Anila said she hopes visitors leave with some sense of awe that individuals created each object.

“We know that this all can look like old, dusty, ancient, non-relevant stuff,” Anila said. “But there are incredible stories that these objects can help us see — not just about people in their times, but our own.”

Though the Ancient Middle East gallery is not a comprehensive display of all cultures and advancements made in the region, Emberling said the focus on technology is an approach that highlights the collection’s strengths.

“I hope that people of all ethnicities and all religions will see a connection to this heritage, which I think really is the heritage of the world,” Emberling said. “It’s the heritage of technological innovation and political development that started us on the path to today.”