Hamdani went on to go to Baghdad University, graduating in 1987 with a degree in Ancient Archaeology. He was the director of Nasiriyah Museum and director of Antiquities for Dhi Qar Governorate from 2003 to 2009. From 2007 he was also a lecturer at Dhi Qar University. He created an atlas of archaeological sites using GPS and satellite images, including 1200 new sites that had not previously been documented. Hamdani worked with the Italian army - who were responsible for security in Dhi Qar from 2003 to 2006 - to protect archaeological sites, declaring that "'w"e have 800 sites and one million thieves ... I am ready to work with the Devil in order to protect these sites.""