Antiquities Looting in Syria: A Threat to Cultural Heritage
The Destruction of Syria’s Cultural Heritage
During wartime, cultural heritage sites are often at risk. In Syria, the Islamic State (ISIS) has been looting and destroying antiquities to fund their war efforts. Ancient cities like Homs and Aleppo have been reduced to rubble, and Roman, Greek, Babylonian, and Assyrian sites have been destroyed.
Museums have also been plundered, including the Mosaic Museum in Idlib province, which was filled with Roman-era works. Stolen Roman vases from graves are being sold in markets in southern Turkish cities like Gaziantep.
The Role of the “Monuments Men”
In an attempt to preserve Syria’s cultural treasures, a new group of “Monuments Men” has emerged. These archaeologists and heritage experts are working to catalog damage and protect endangered sites.
The group is now a 200-strong network operating in rebel-held Syria. Unlike their World War II counterparts, however, the Syrian “Monuments Men” have few resources and are not supported by armed units.
They rely on smugglers and fixers to travel through rebel-controlled territory, navigating a maze of armed groups including ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra, the U.S.-backed opposition, and the Syrian regime.
Their work is dangerous, as they are targeted by both the regime and Islamist groups. However, they continue to work to protect Syria’s cultural heritage and educate rebel groups on the importance of respecting it.
International Efforts to Combat Looting
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) has published an Emergency Red List of Syrian Cultural Objects at Risk to alert potential buyers to the looted artifacts’ possible origins and importance. UNESCO continues to highlight developments threatening Syria’s cultural heritage.
The Impact of Looting on the Conflict
The looting of antiquities is not only a crime against cultural heritage but also a source of funding for terrorism. Last year, an Iraqi intelligence official claimed that ISIS had made up to $36 million from looting a single area around al-Nabek, a Syrian city known for its early Christian sites.
The looting adds to the violence and suffering in the Syrian war, which has already claimed over 200,000 lives and displaced millions of people.
Challenges and Uncertainties
The Syrian “Monuments Men” face many challenges in their work. They have limited resources, are often targeted by armed groups, and the degree of success of their efforts is uncertain.
However, they remain committed to protecting Syria’s cultural heritage and raising awareness of the importance of preserving it.