February 14 (Sat) - March 29 (Sun), 2026 【Close-up Exhibition】 Kish: Exploring the ruins of a Mesopotamian City

　Kish, located in central Iraq, comprises the ruins of an ancient Mesopotamian civilization that flourished during the Early Dynastic Period around 3000 BC. At its peak, it was a large city spanning 230 hectares. According to the Sumerian King List, it was also an important city, reported to be the first city to receive kingship after the legendary Great Flood. Etana, known for his legendary ascension to heaven, is also considered to have been one of the kings of the Kish dynasty.
　Excavations at this historically important site began in the late 19th century. The Kokushikan University Institute for the Study of Ancient Iraqi Culture began excavations in the 1980s, but these were suspended due to the subsequent conflicts in Iraq, including the Gulf War and the Iraqi War.
　In advance of future investigations, this exhibition will use panels, videos, and models to explain the importance of the Kish ruins, and will introduce the results of previous work by Kokushikan University teams as well as recent research efforts by foreign teams.