Troops accused of damaging Iraqi treasure

BAGHDAD, July 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. military did major damage to the site of one of the wonders of the ancient world while turning it into a base and guarding it, a U.N. report says.

The site of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon was converted into Camp Alpha shortly after the U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq in 2003. UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency. said troops and contractors dug, cut, scraped and leveled the area while revamping the site to meet military standards, CNN reported.

The site, an hour's drive south of Baghdad on the banks of the Euphrates River, dates to ancient Mesopotamia.The gardens were built for his wife by Nebuchadnezzar.

The report said key structural damage was inflicted on the Ishtar Gate and the Processional Way and other areas. The gate, an entrance to the northern part of the city, is decorated with animals that portray the symbol of the god of Babylon, nine of which were damaged.

A military spokeswoman said the Babylon site was originally occupied in April, 2003, with a purpose. among others, of protecting it from looting.

The United States has agreed to pay $800,000 to help rehabilitate the Babylon site, an Iraqi official said.