ISIS’s Destruction of Cultural Heritage: A Fight for Preservation
Academics Race to Save Cultural Treasures from ISIS
As ISIS militants wreak havoc across the Middle East, academics are scrambling to save precious cultural artifacts from destruction or sale on the black market. Historians, archaeologists, and librarians are working tirelessly to identify and rescue these treasures before they fall into the hands of the militants.
Targeting of Antiquities for Profit
Evidence suggests that ISIS is not merely destroying ancient artifacts but specifically targeting them for sale on the black market to fund their operations. Photographs of ancient coins and rare books found in the possession of ISIS fighters have raised concerns that the group is making educated choices in their looting.
Impromptu Networks of Experts
In response to this threat, impromptu networks of historians and archaeologists have formed both online and on the ground. These experts are working together to identify and rescue historical artifacts before ISIS can get their hands on them. Often, they have only seconds to spare before the artifacts are destroyed or sold off.
Restoration and Digitization of Iraq’s National Heritage
Preserving Baghdad’s Historical Records
Meanwhile, historians at the Baghdad National Library are racing against time to restore and digitize books and documents detailing Iraq’s history and culture. This project was born out of the devastating loss of 400,000 papers and 4,000 rare books during the American invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Challenges of Restoration
Each document in the collection presents unique challenges for restorers. Some have been damaged after years of use, while others have been burned during bombings or attacks. Still others have been almost fossilized after being soaked and quickly dried in the high desert heat. Restorers must painstakingly repair the books before they can be photographed and digitized.
Providing Hope and Countering ISIS’s Narrative
Even as they work to preserve Iraq’s heritage in case of disaster, historians at the National Library are also sending books into areas of conflict to combat ISIS’s interpretation of history and to give hope to Iraqis living under fear of the militants. By providing access to these materials, they hope to remind Iraqis of their rich history and instill a sense of pride.
International Efforts to Combat ISIS’s Cultural Pillage
United Nations Resolution
The fight against ISIS’s attempts to pillage and profit from cultural heritage is not confined to Iraq. Earlier this year, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution declaring ISIS’s destruction of artifacts and antiquities a war crime. This resolution sends a strong message that the international community will not tolerate such acts of cultural destruction.
Crackdown on Black Market Relic Trade
Federal investigators in the United States are also cracking down on the trade in relics on the black market. By targeting individuals and organizations involved in this illicit trade, authorities are making it more difficult for ISIS to profit from the sale of stolen artifacts.
Conclusion
The fight to preserve cultural heritage in the face of ISIS’s destruction is a complex and ongoing one. It requires the collaboration of academics, librarians, historians, and archaeologists, as well as the support of the international community. By working together, these individuals and organizations are helping to protect the cultural heritage of the Middle East for future generations.
