Destruction of cultural heritage by the Islamic State explained

Deliberate destruction and theft of cultural heritage have been conducted by the Islamic State (IS) since 2014 in Iraq, Syria, and to a lesser extent in Libya. The destruction targets various places of worship under IS control and ancient historical artifacts. In Iraq, between the fall of Mosul in June 2014 and February 2015, IS plundered and destroyed at least 28 historical religious buildings.[1] Valuable items from some buildings were looted in order to smuggle and sell them to foreigners to finance the running of the Islamic State.[1]

Motivation

See main article: Ideology of the Islamic State.

See also: Aniconism in Islam and Salafi jihadism.

IS justifies the destruction of cultural heritage sites by its Salafism,[2] which, according to its followers, places "great importance on establishing tawhid (monotheism)" and "eliminating shirk (polytheism)". Thus there is an ideological underpinning to their destruction of historical and cultural heritage sites.[2] IS views its actions in sites like Palmyra and Nimrud as being in accordance with Sunni Islamic tradition.[2] [3]

Beyond the ideological aspects of the destruction, there are other, more practical, reasons behind IS's destruction of historic sites. Grabbing the world's attention is easily done through the destruction of such sites, given the extensive media coverage and international condemnation that comes afterwards. Destroying historic ruins also allows IS to wipe the slate clean and to start afresh, leaving no traces of any previous culture or civilization. It also provides an ideal platform for the group to establish its own identity and leave its mark on history. Despite the images showing extreme destruction, IS has also been making use of the looted antiquities to finance their activities.[4] Despite the UN's ban on the trade of artifacts looted from Syria since 2011,[5] the group has been smuggling these artifacts out of the Middle East and on to the underground antique markets of Europe and North America.[6]

Destroyed heritage

Mosques and shrines

In 2014, media reported destruction of multiple religious buildings belonging to both Sunni and Shia sects throughout areas captured by IS.[7] Among them were the tomb of Ibn al-Athir, Imam Abbas Mosque in Mosul, the Sheikh Jawad Al-Sadiq Mosque, Tomb of Sayyid Ar-Mamut Baba, Qaddo Mosque, Martyrs' Mosque, Saad Ibn Aqeel Shrine in Tal Afar, the Sufi Ahmed al-Rifai Shrine and Sheikh Ibrahim's shrine in Mahlabiya District.[7] [8]

In Mosul, IS also targeted several tombs with shrines built over them. In July 2014, IS destroyed one of the tombs of prophet Daniel and the tomb and mosque of the prophet Jonah with explosives,[9] [10] as well as the tomb of Prophet Jirjis (George).[11] The same month, IS also destroyed the 13th-century Mausoleum of Imam Awn Al-Din in Mosul, one of the few structures to have survived the 13th-century Mongol invasion. The destruction was mostly carried out with explosives, but in some cases bulldozers were used.

On 24 September 2014, the Al-Arba'een Mosque in Tikrit, containing forty tombs from the Umar era, was blown up.[12] The building also contained two shrines, one dedicated to Sitt Nafisa and the other dedicated to Amr ibn Jundab al-Ghafari.

On 26 February 2015, IS blew up the 12th century Green Mosque in central Mosul.[13]

In March 2015, IS bulldozed to the ground the Hamu Al-Qadu Mosque in Mosul, dating back to 1880. The Hamu-Al-Qadu mosque contained an earlier tomb of Ala-al-din Ibn Abdul Qadir Gilani. In the same year IS ordered the removal of all decorative elements and frescoes from mosques in Mosul, even those containing Quranic verses that mention Allah.[14] They were described by IS as "an erroneous form of creativity, contradicting the basics of sharia". At least one imam in Mosul opposing that order was shot to death.[14]

In 2016, IS destroyed the Minaret of Anah in Al Anbar Province, which dates back to the Abbasid Caliphate. The minaret was only rebuilt in 2013 after its destruction by an unknown perpetrator during the Iraqi Civil War in 2006.[15] [16]

In 2017, IS destroyed the Great Mosque of al-Nuri and its leaning minaret. This was the mosque where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the establishment of the Islamic State caliphate three years prior.[17]

Churches and monasteries

In June 2014, it was reported that IS elements had been instructed to destroy all churches in Mosul.[18] Since then, most churches within the city have been destroyed.

IS also blew up or demolished a number of other churches elsewhere in Iraq or in Syria. The Armenian Genocide Memorial Church in Deir ez-Zor, Syria was blown up by IS militants on 21 September 2014.[25] [26]

On 24 September 2014 IS militants destroyed with improvised explosive devices the 7th-century Green Church (also known as St Ahoadamah Church) belonging to the Assyrian Church of the East in Tikrit.[27]

The Mar Behnam Monastery in Khidr Ilyas near Bakhdida, Iraq was destroyed by IS in March 2015.[28] [29]

On 4 May 2015, IS were reported to have destroyed the Assyrian Christian Virgin Mary Church on Easter Sunday (5 April) in the Syrian town of Tel Nasri. "As the 'joint forces' of Kurdish People's Protection Units and local Assyrian fighters attempted to enter the town", IS set off the explosives destroying what remained of the church.[30] IS had controlled the church since 7 March 2015.[30]

On 21 August 2015, the historic Monastery of St. Elian near Al-Qaryatayn in the Homs Governorate was destroyed by IS.[31]

Ancient and medieval sites

See also: Destruction of Mosul Museum artifacts.

In May 2014, IS members smashed a 3,000-year-old neo-Assyrian statue from Tel Ajaja.[32] Later reports indicated that over 40% of the artifacts at Tel Ajaja (Saddikanni) were looted by IS.[33]

Parts of the Tal Afar Citadel were blown up by IS in December 2014, causing extensive damage.[34] [35]

In January 2015, IS reportedly destroyed large parts of the Nineveh Wall in al-Tahrir neighborhood of Mosul.[36] Further parts of the walls, including the Mashka and Adad Gate, were blown up in April 2016.[37]

In the Syrian city of Raqqa, IS publicly ordered the bulldozing of a colossal ancient Assyrian gateway lion sculpture from the 8th century BC.[38] Another lion statue was also destroyed. Both statues originated from the Arslan Tash archaeological site.[39] The destruction was published in the IS magazine, Dabiq. Among the lost statues are those of Mulla Uthman al-Mawsili, of a woman carrying an urn, and of Abu Tammam.

On 26 February 2015, IS released a video showing the destruction of various ancient artifacts in the Mosul Museum.[13] The affected artifacts originate from the Assyrian era and from the ancient city of Hatra.[13] The video in particular shows the defacement of a granite lamassu statue from the right side of the Nergal Gate by a jackhammer. Several other defaced items in the museum were claimed to be copies,[13] but this was later rebutted by Iraq's Minister of Culture, Adel Sharshab who said: "Mosul Museum had many ancient artifacts, big and small. None of them were transported to the National Museum of Iraq in Baghdad. Thus, all artifacts destroyed in Mosul are original except for four pieces that were made of gypsum".

On 5 March 2015, IS reportedly started the demolition of Nimrud, an Assyrian city from the 13th century BC. The local palace was bulldozed, while lamassu statues at the gates of the palace of Ashurnasirpal II were smashed.[40] A video showing the destruction of Nimrud was released in April 2015.[41] By the time the city was retaken by government forces, 90% of the excavated zone of Nimrud, including Ashurbanipal II's palace, the ziggurat, and its Lamassu statues had been completely destroyed. Since the city's destruction, The Nimrud Rescue Project, funded by the Smithsonian, has worked two seasons on location to train local Iraqi archaeologists and protect and conserve the remains. So far the project has largely been successful in documenting and collecting the remaining artifacts and reliefs; plans for reconstruction are also in the works.[42]

On 7 March 2015, Kurdish sources reported that IS had begun the bulldozing of Hatra,[43] [44] [45] which has been under threat of demolition after IS had occupied the adjacent area. The next day IS attacked Kurdish Peshmerga forces at Dur-Sharrukin, according to a Kurdish official from Mosul, Saeed Mamuzini.[46] Most of the damage was done by the Peshmerga forces trying to militarize the site against IS. Only one looting tunnel was dug at the site.[47]

The Iraqi Tourism and Antiquities Ministry launched the related investigation on the same day.[46] On 8 April 2015, the Iraqi Ministry of Tourism reported that IS destroyed the remnants of the 12th-century Bash Tapia Castle in Mosul.[48] In early July 2015, 20% of Iraq's 10,000 archaeological sites were under IS control.[49]

In 2015 the face of the Winged Bull of Nineveh was damaged.[50]

Palmyra

In anticipation of IS's capture of Palmyra, archaeologists removed hundreds of artefacts from the nearby museum.[51] Following the capture of Palmyra in Syria, IS was reported as not intending to demolish the city's World Heritage Site (while still intending to destroy any statues deemed 'polytheistic').[52] On 27 May 2015, IS released an 87-second video showing parts of the apparently undamaged ancient colonnades, the Temple of Bel and the Roman theatre.[52] In June 2015, accounts associated with IS released a video showing its members executing twenty-five captured Syrian soldiers at the amphitheater, observed by hundreds of local civilian men, who were reportedly forced to watch.[53] [54] On 27 June 2015, however, IS demolished the ancient Lion of Al-lāt statue in Palmyra. (It has since been restored, and is in storage in a Damascus museum until it can be determined that the statue can be safely returned to Palmyra.) Several other statues from Palmyra reportedly confiscated from a smuggler were also destroyed by IS.[49] In August IS murdered Khaled al-Asaad, an archaeologist and expert on Palmyra, for not disclosing the location of artefacts hidden to keep them safe from IS. On 23 August 2015, it was reported that IS had blown up the 1st-century Temple of Baalshamin.[55] [56] On 30 August 2015, IS demolished the Temple of Bel with explosives. Satellite imagery of the site taken shortly after showed almost nothing remained.[57]

According to the report issued on 3 September 2015 by ASOR Syrian Heritage initiative, IS also destroyed seven ancient tower tombs in Palmyra since the end of June over two phases.[58] The last phase of destruction occurred between 27 August and 2 September 2015, including the destruction of the 2nd-century AD Tower of Elahbel, called "the most prominent example of Palmyra's distinct funerary monuments".[58] Earlier, the ancient tombs of Iamliku and Atenaten were also destroyed.[58] The Monumental Arch was also blown up in October.[59]

When Palmyra was recaptured by Syrian government forces in March 2016, retreating IS fighters blew up parts of the 13th-century Palmyra Castle, causing extensive damage.[60]

IS also continued the looting and demolition of the Parthian/Roman city of Dura-Europos begun by looters during the Syrian Civil War.[61] Nicknamed "the Pompeii of the desert", the city was of particular archaeological significance.

In January 2017, during the militants’ second occupation after their recapture of Palmyra in December 2016, it was reported that IS had destroyed the facade of the Roman amphitheater, as well as a tetrapylon.[62]

It was reported on 1 January 2019 that Syrian authorities recovered two Roman-era funerary busts smuggled from Palmyra from an abandoned IS site in the Al-Sukhnah countryside.[63]

Hatra

Hatra (Arabic: الحضر|al-Ḥaḍr) was an ancient city in the Ninawa Governorate and al-Jazira region of Iraq. A large fortified city and capital of the first Arab Kingdom, later it became a Persian client state. Hatra withstood invasions by the Romans in A.D. 116 and 198 thanks to its high, thick walls reinforced by towers.[64] About 240 CE, the city fell to Shāpūr I (reigned c. 240–272), the ruler of the Persian Sāsānian dynasty, and was destroyed.[65] The UNESCO description of the city notes that "the remains of the city, especially the temples where Hellenistic and Roman architecture blend with Eastern decorative features, attest to the greatness of its civilization."[64] The city lies northwest of Baghdad and southwest of Mosul.

On 7 March 2015, various sources including Iraqi officials reported that IS had begun demolishing the ruins of Hatra.[66] Video released by IS the next month showed destruction of the monuments.[67] The ancient city was recaptured by the Popular Mobilization Forces on 26 April 2017.[68] Though most of Hatra's temples were relatively unharmed, their interior scriptures and art had been smashed and looted by IS forces.

Libraries

IS burned or stole collections of books and papers from various locations, including the Central Library of Mosul (which they rigged with explosives and burned down);[69] the library at the University of Mosul; a Sunni Muslim library; a 265-year-old Latin Church and Monastery of the Dominican Fathers; and the Mosul Museum Library. Some destroyed or stolen works date back to 5000 BC and include "Iraq newspapers dating to the early 20th century, maps and books from the Ottoman Empire, and book collections contributed by about 100 of Mosul's establishment families". The stated goal was to destroy all non-Islamic books.[70]

Response

On 22 September 2014, the United States Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the Department of State had partnered with the American Schools of Orient Research Cultural Heritage Initiatives to "comprehensively document the condition of, and threats to, cultural heritage sites in Iraq and Syria to assess their future restoration, preservation, and protection needs".[38] In 2014, the UNESCO's Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict condemned at the Ninth Meeting "repeated and deliberate attacks against cultural property... in particular in the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Iraq".[71] UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova called the destructions in Mosul a violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2199,[13] and the destruction of Nimrud a war crime.[72]

Former Prime Minister of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki reported that the local parliamentary tourism and antiquities committee had "filed complaints with the UN to condemn all IS crimes and abuses, including those that affect ancient places of worship".[1] On 28 May 2015, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution, initiated by Germany and Iraq and sponsored by 91 UN member states, stating that IS's destruction of cultural heritage may amount to a war crime and urging international measures to halt such acts, which it described as a "tactic of war".[73]

After the Palmyra temple's destruction in August 2015, the Institute for Digital Archaeology (IDA) announced plans to establish a digital record of historical sites and artifacts threatened by IS advance.[74] [75] [76] To accomplish this goal, the IDA, in collaboration with UNESCO, reported that it would deploy 5,000 3D cameras to partners in the Middle East to capture 3D scans of local ruins and relics.[77] [78] [79] On 18 April 2016, a one-third scale 3D-printed model of the Monumental Arch created by the IDA was unveiled in Trafalgar Square in London by then Mayor of London Boris Johnson, before being displayed in New York City, Dubai, Florence (for the G7 summit), Arona (Italy), Washington, D.C., Geneva, Bern, and Luxembourg from 2016 through 2020.[80] [81]

The general director of the Czech National Museum, Michal Lukeš, signed an agreement in June 2017 committing the institution to help Syria save, preserve and conserve much of its cultural and historical heritage damaged by war, including the ancient site of Palmyra; he met with Maamoun Abdulkarim and discussed plans for the works that were said to have lasted until 2019.[82]

In June 2017, the World Monuments Fund (WMF) announced the launch of a £500,000 scheme to train Syrian refugees near the Syrian-Jordanian border in traditional stone masonry. The aim is teaching them to develop skills necessary to be able to help in restoring cultural heritage sites that have been damaged or destroyed during the Syrian Civil War once peace is restored to Syria.[83]

For years, ideas for major reconstruction have been met with ethical concerns about Palmyra’s use as a tourist site once again, given the recent violence that has occurred there and its place in Palmyra’s history, as well as debates about which countries and organizations should be involved in the reconstruction process. The Association for the Protection of Syria Archaeology (APSA) spoke out against rapid reconstruction, arguing that it would bolster the Syrian regime, which is accused of the mass murder of Syrian citizens.[84]

Minor restorations have already begun: Palmyrene funerary busts of a deceased man and a woman, damaged and defaced by IS, were taken from Palmyra, then to Beirut to be sent off to Rome.[85] [86] Italian experts restored the portraits using 3D technology to print resin prosthetics, which were coated with a thick layer of stone dust to blend in with the original stone; the prosthetics were attached to the damaged faces of the busts using strong magnets.[86] [85] The restored pieces are now back in Syria.[85] Abdulkarim said the restoration of the busts "is the first real, visible positive step that the international community has taken to protect Syrian heritage".[85]

However, the Rewards for Justice Program offers up to $5 million for information leading to disrupt the sale and/or trade of oil and antiquities by IS.[87]

In 2021, it was announced that the Russian State Hermitage Museum, in collaboration with UNESCO and the Syrian Department of Antiquities and Museums, would restore the original Monumental Arch at Palmyra.[88]

See also

Bibliography

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Iraq churches, mosques under ISIS attack . Khalid al-Taie . mawtani.al-shorfa.com . 13 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150219092526/http://mawtani.al-shorfa.com/en_GB/articles/iii/features/2015/02/13/feature-01 . 19 February 2015.
  2. ISIS Destruction of Ancient Sites Hits Mostly Muslim Targets . https://web.archive.org/web/20200708055925/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/07/150702-ISIS-Palmyra-destruction-salafism-sunni-shiite-sufi-Islamic-State/ . dead . July 8, 2020 . Romey . Kristin . 2 July 2015 . . . . 7 July 2020 .
  3. Web site: Don't Be Surprised by ISIS Destroying History . Tony Blair Faith Foundation . 2015-09-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160803123932/http://tonyblairfaithfoundation.org/religion-geopolitics/commentaries/glance/dont-be-surprised-isis-destroying-history . 2016-08-03 . dead .
  4. Web site: How an arrest in Iraq revealed Isis's $2bn jihadist network . Martin Chulov . The Guardian . 15 June 2014 . 2016-12-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140616091317/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/15/iraq-isis-arrest-jihadists-wealth-power . 2014-06-16 . live .
  5. News: U.N. Security Council ups pressure on Islamic State financing . 12 February 2015 . Reuters UK . 2015-09-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150910150453/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/02/12/us-mideast-crisis-un-idUSKBN0LG1YN20150212 . 2015-09-10 . live . Nichols . Michelle .
  6. Web site: Why Does ISIS Destroy Historic Sites? . Tony Blair Faith Foundation . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151006100612/http://tonyblairfaithfoundation.org/religion-geopolitics/commentaries/opinion/why-does-isis-destroy-historic-sites . 2015-10-06 .
  7. Web site: ISIS Destroys Shiite Mosques And Shrines In Iraq, Dangerously Fracturing Country (PHOTOS) . . 7 July 2014 . 27 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150225113446/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/07/isis-destroys-shiite-mosque_n_5564373.html . 25 February 2015 . live .
  8. News: ISIS insurgents wage war on history . . Praveen Swami . 29 June 2014 . 27 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140708210920/http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/isis-insurgents-wage-war-on-history/article6158435.ece . 8 July 2014 . live .
  9. Web site: ISIS Destroys Jonah's Tomb In Mosul, Iraq, As Militant Violence Continues . Hafiz . Yasmine . . 25 July 2014 . 28 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140727202017/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/25/isis-jonah-tomb_n_5620520.html . 27 July 2014 . live .
  10. News: ISIL destroys Mosque of Biblical Jonah, Prophet Yunus . 24 July 2014 . IraqiNews.com . 24 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808222034/http://www.iraqinews.com/features/urgent-isil-destroys-mosque-biblical-jonah-prophet-yunus . 8 August 2014 . live .
  11. News: 27 July 2014 . Islamic State destroys ancient Mosul mosque, the third in a week . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140728032035/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/28/islamic-state-destroys-ancient-mosul-mosque . 28 July 2014 . 27 July 2014 . theguardian.com.
  12. Web site: URGENT: ISIS destroys historical Al-Arbain mosque in Tikrit . Iraqi News . Abdelhak Mamoun . 25 September 2014 . 27 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150128041254/http://www.iraqinews.com/features/urgent-isis-destroys-historical-al-arbain-mosque-tikrit/ . 28 January 2015 . live .
  13. Web site: Ancient artefacts destroyed in Iraq . News.com.au . 27 February 2014 . 28 February 2015 . 28 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150228010523/http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/ancient-artefacts-destroyed-in-iraq/story-e6frfq80-1227241419029 . dead .
  14. Web site: "Исламское государство" заставило имамов Мосула удалять фрески со стен мечетей . . ru . 2 April 2015 . 22 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150408092356/http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/1876232 . 8 April 2015 . live .
  15. http://www.almadapaper.net/ar/news/445823/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A2%D8%AB%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%AD-%D9%85%D8%A6%D8%B0%D9%86%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%A8 السياحة والآثار تفتتح مئذنة "عنه" في الأنبار بعد ترميمها
  16. https://www.algharbiyanews.com/?p=73752 داعش يفجر قلعة عنه الاثرية
  17. News: Battle for Mosul: IS 'blows up' al-Nuri mosque . 21 June 2017 . BBC . 21 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170621215655/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40361857 . 21 June 2017 . live .
  18. Web site: ISIL orders destruction of all churches in Mosul . Iraqi News . 16 June 2014 . 28 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150331114953/http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/isil-instructs-to-destroy-churches-in-mosul/ . 31 March 2015 . live .
  19. Web site: URGENT: ISIL destroys the Virgin Mary church in Mosul . Iraqi News . Abdelhak Mamoun . 26 July 2014 . 28 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150228232119/http://www.iraqinews.com/features/urgent-isil-destroys-virgin-mary-church-mosul/ . 28 February 2015 . live .
  20. News: Mendoza . Martha . Alleruzzo . Maya . Janssen . Bram . IS Destroys Religious Sites: The oldest Christian monastery in Iraq has been reduced to a field of rubble by IS's relentless destruction of ancient cultural sites . . . 20 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160121031241/http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2016-01-20/only-on-ap-oldest-christian-monastery-in-iraq-is-razed . 21 January 2016.
  21. News: Iraq's oldest Christian monastery destroyed by Islamic State . . 20 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160120155412/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35360415 . 20 January 2016.
  22. Web site: ISIL destroys historical church in Mosul . Worldbulletin News . 10 March 2015 . 10 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402133410/http://www.worldbulletin.net/news/156360/isil-destroys-historical-church-in-mosul . 2 April 2015 . live .
  23. News: Gander . Kashmira . Isis 'kills four children' as it reportedly destroys ancient church in Iraqi city of Mosul . 12 July 2015 . . 8 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150711032940/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-kills-four-children-as-it-destroys-ancient-church-in-iraqi-city-of-mosul-10376301.html . 11 July 2015 . live .
  24. News: ISIS extremists bomb historic church in Mosul . ARA News . 28 April 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160501101758/http://aranews.net/2016/04/isis-extremists-bomb-historic-church-mosul/ . 1 May 2016.
  25. News: Hayrumyan . Naira . Middle East Terror: Memory of Armenian Genocide victims targeted by ISIS militants . . 24 September 2014 . 7 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150905144120/http://www.armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/57070/armenia_church_syria_isis_aram_catholicos . 5 September 2015 . live .
  26. News: IS said to destroy Armenian Genocide memorial . . 22 September 2014 . 7 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150628203715/http://www.timesofisrael.com/is-reportedly-destroys-armenian-genocide-memorial/ . 28 June 2015 . live .
  27. Web site: ISIL Destroys VII-century Church, Historical Mosque in Iraq . Alahednews . 26 September 2014 . 27 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402095458/http://www.english.alahednews.com.lb/essaydetails.php?eid=27364&cid=547#.VPC5O46rEYI . 2 April 2015 . live .
  28. News: Mezzofiore . Gianluca . Isis 'blows up famed 4th-century Mar Behnam Catholic monastery' in Iraq . 30 March 2016 . . 19 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160416143819/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/isis-blows-famed-4th-century-mar-behnam-catholic-monastery-iraq-1492703 . 16 April 2016 . live .
  29. News: Jones . Christopher . Another Treasure Lost in Iraq: The Story of Mar Behnam Monastery . 24 October 2016 . . 23 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161027095857/http://hyperallergic.com/216393/another-treasure-lost-in-iraq-the-story-of-mar-behnam-monastery/ . 27 October 2016 . live .
  30. Web site: ISIS blew up a Syrian church on Easter . Now Lebanon via Business Insider . 6 April 2015 . 7 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171011221849/http://www.businessinsider.com/isis-blew-up-an-assyrian-church-on-easter-2015-4?nr_email_referer=1 . 11 October 2017 . live .
  31. Web site: News from The Associated Press . 21 August 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141109114112/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_ISLAMIC_STATE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT . 9 November 2014 .
  32. Web site: Archived copy . 2016-08-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160919201504/https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=3bded8ec5c36418ba53318e76808babb . 2016-09-19 . live .
  33. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCzc0uJElGs "At ancient Syria site, IS discovers then destroys treasures"
  34. News: Extremist IS militants damage ancient citadel, two shrines in Iraq's Nineveh . . 31 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150113075719/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-12/31/c_133890461.htm . 13 January 2015.
  35. Web site: Jones . Christopher . ISIS destroys several more sites in Mosul and Tal Afar . Gates of Nineveh . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305020756/https://gatesofnineveh.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/isis-destroys-several-more-sites-in-mosul-and-tal-afar/ . 5 March 2016 . 15 February 2015.
  36. Web site: ISIS detonates large parts of Nineveh historical wall . Iraqi News . Abdelhak Mamoun . 28 January 2015 . 28 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150309092235/http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/isis-detonates-large-parts-nineveh-historical-wall/ . 9 March 2015 . live .
  37. News: Celeng . Sozbin . Yousef . Sarbaz . ISIS extremists destroy parts of Nineveh ancient wall northern Iraq . ARA News . 16 April 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160421151134/http://aranews.net/2016/04/isis-extremists-destroy-parts-nineveh-ancient-wall-northern-iraq/ . 21 April 2016.
  38. Web site: Threats to Cultural Heritage in Iraq and Syria . US Department of State . 23 September 2014 . 27 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170121130323/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/09/232028.htm . 21 January 2017 . live .
  39. Web site: Lion statues destroyed . UNESCO . 27 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150403080446/http://www.unesco.org/new/en/safeguarding-syrian-cultural-heritage/arslan-tash/ . 3 April 2015 . live .
  40. Web site: ISIL fighters bulldoze ancient Assyrian palace in Iraq . . 5 March 2015 . 6 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180224031022/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/03/isil-fighters-bulldoze-ancient-assyrian-palace-iraq-150305195222805.html . 24 February 2018 . live .
  41. News: 'IS destruction of Nimrud' on video . 12 April 2015 . TimesofMalta.com . 12 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150415025443/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150412/world/is-destruction-of-nimrud-on-video.563644 . 15 April 2015 . live .
  42. Johnson. Jessica S.. Ghazi. Zaid. Hanson. Katharyn. Lione. Brian Michael. Severson. Kent. 2020-08-31. The Nimrud Rescue Project. Studies in Conservation. 65. sup1. P160–P165. 10.1080/00393630.2020.1753357. 219037067. 0039-3630.
  43. Web site: Reports: ISIS bulldozed ancient Hatra city in Mosul . RiyadhVision . 7 March 2015 . 8 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150315094537/http://www.riyadhvision.com/2015/03/07/reports-isis-bulldozed-ancient-hatra-city-in-mosul/ . 15 March 2015 . live .
  44. News: Yacoub . Sameer N. . Associated Press . 7 March 2015 . IS destroying another ancient archaeological site in Iraq . ArmyTimes . USA. 7 March 2015.
  45. News: Islamic state 'demolish' ancient Hatra site in Iraq . 15 August 2015 . BBC . 7 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150817192846/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31779484 . 17 August 2015 . live .
  46. Web site: Ancient site Khorsabad attacked by Islamic State: reports . . 8 March 2015 . 8 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150309174534/http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/03/08/ancient-site-khorsabad-attacked-by-islamic-state-reports.html . 9 March 2015 . live .
  47. Web site: ASOR Cultural Heritage Initiatives مبادرات التراث الثقافي. 2021-01-25. www.facebook.com. en.
  48. Web site: Боевики "Исламского государства" взорвали древний замок Баш Тапия в иракском Мосуле . . ru . 8 April 2015 . 22 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160908171408/http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/1889000 . 8 September 2016 . live .
  49. Web site: Islamic State militants 'destroy Palmyra statues' . . 2 July 2015 . 3 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150702185932/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33369701 . 2 July 2015 . live .
  50. News: Museum of Lost Objects: The Winged Bull of Nineveh . BBC News . 29 February 2016 . en-GB . 2016-03-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160229223729/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35669056 . 2016-02-29 . live .
  51. News: 2021-02-08 . Syria 'finds body of archaeologist Khaled al-Asaad beheaded by IS' . 2024-03-26 . BBC News . en-GB.
  52. Web site: Syria: Isis releases footage of Palmyra ruins intact and 'will not destroy them' . . 27 May 2015 . 29 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150527210450/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/27/isis-releases-footage-of-palmyra-ruins-intact . 27 May 2015 . live .
  53. Web site: Palmyra: theatre of ISIS brutality re-captured . Youtube . Channel 4 News . 2 April 2023 . en.
  54. News: Islamic State 'murders 25 men in Palmyra' . 2 April 2023 . BBC News . 4 July 2015.
  55. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34036644 "Palmyra's Baalshamin temple 'blown up by IS
  56. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/23/isis-blows-up-temple-dating-back-to-17ad-in-unesco-listed-syrian-city "Isis 'blows up temple dating back to 17AD' in Syrian city of Palmyra"
  57. News: Palmyra's Temple of Bel 'destroyed' . BBC News . 31 August 2015 . 31 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150903005143/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34111092 . 3 September 2015 . live .
  58. Web site: In latest round of destruction, ISIL reduces three ancient tower tombs in Palmyra to rubble . . September 4, 2015 . September 4, 2015 . https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160507072720/http://news.nationalpost.com/news/world/intolerable-crime-against-civilization-isil-destroys-three-ancient-tower-tombs-in-palmyra . May 7, 2016 . live .
  59. News: Shaheen . Kareem . Isis blows up Arch of Triumph in 2,000-year-old city of Palmyra . 5 October 2015 . The Guardian . 5 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151005231919/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/05/isis-blows-up-another-monument-in-2000-year-old-city-of-palmyra . 5 October 2015 . live .
  60. News: Said . H. . Raslan . Rasha . Sabbagh . Hazem . Palmyra Castle partially damaged due to ISIS acts, plans to restore it to its former glory . . 26 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160327133431/http://sana.sy/en/?p=72903 . 27 March 2016.
  61. Web site: Via Satellite, Tracking The Plunder Of Middle East Cultural History . .
  62. News: Bilefsky . Dan . ISIS Destroys Part of Roman Theater in Palmyra, Syria . 2 April 2023 . The New York Times . 20 January 2017.
  63. Web site: Syrian authorities recover 2 Roman-era artifacts from ISIS . January 2019 . 2019-01-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190104074258/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-authorities-recover-2-roman-era-artifacts-from-isis/ . 2019-01-04 . live .
  64. Web site: Hatra . 2019-12-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191231003404/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/277 . 2019-12-31 . live .
  65. Web site: Hatra | ancient city, Iraq . 2017-07-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180820000142/https://www.britannica.com/place/Hatra . 2018-08-20 . live .
  66. Web site: IS continues cultural cleansing of Iraq with Hatra's destruction: UNESCO . . 8 March 2015 . 23 June 2017.
  67. Web site: Video: Islamic State group shot, hammered away Iraq's Hatra . 23 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150407002201/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/bcdd18ddfe5143f08e5e2335e19e5af9/video-islamic-state-group-shot-hammered-away-iraqs-hatra . 7 April 2015 . live .
  68. News: IS conflict: Iraqi force 'retakes ancient city of Hatra' . BBC News . 26 April 2017 . 23 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170604220753/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-39726244 . 4 June 2017 . live .
  69. Web site: Isis Burns Down Mosul Library, Destroys 8,000 Rare Books and Manuscripts . Johnlee . Varghese . . 24 February 2015 . 23 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160320181623/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/isis-burns-down-mosul-library-destroys-8000-rare-books-manuscripts-624375 . 20 March 2016 . live .
  70. News: Islamic State Hijacks Mosul University Chemistry Lab for Making Bombs . London . Margaret Coker in . 2016-04-01 . Baghdad . Ben Kesling in . Wall Street Journal . 0099-9660 . 2017-01-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170127222913/http://www.wsj.com/articles/islamic-state-hijacks-mosul-university-chemistry-lab-for-making-bombs-1459503003 . 2017-01-27 . live .
  71. Web site: Reinforce the immunity of our common heritage under threat . UNESCO . 21 December 2014 . 27 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150404194831/http://www.unesco.org/new/en/syria-crisis-response/regional-response/single-view/news/reinforce_the_immunity_of_our_common_heritage_under_threat/#.VPDhTY6rEYJ . 4 April 2015 . live .
  72. News: Nimrud: Outcry as IS bulldozers attack ancient Iraq site . 6 March 2015 . BBC News . 6 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150306080519/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31760656 . 6 March 2015 . live .
  73. https://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/69/281|UNGA Resolution 69/281
  74. Web site: Oxford Deploying 5,000 Modified 3D Cameras to Fight ISIS . Sean Higgins . sparpointgroup.com . 2015-09-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923193440/http://www.sparpointgroup.com/news/vol13no35-oxford-3d . 2015-09-23 . dead .
  75. News: The digital race against IS . 24 September 2015 . BBC Radio 4 "Today" programme . BBC . 28 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150831012112/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p030ys68 . 31 August 2015 . live .
  76. News: Rosenfield . Karissa . Harvard and Oxford Take On ISIS with Digital Preservation Campaign . 24 September 2015 . Arch Daily . 1 September 2015.
  77. News: Mackay . Mairi . Indiana Jones with a 3-D camera? Hi-tech fight to save antiquities from ISIS . 24 September 2015 . CNN . 31 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150926100727/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/28/middleeast/3d-mapping-ancient-monuments/ . 26 September 2015 . live .
  78. Web site: Can 3-D Imaging Save Ancient Art from ISIS? . Alanna Martinez . Observer . September 2015 . 2015-09-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150925091341/http://observer.com/2015/09/can-3-d-imaging-save-ancient-art-from-isis/ . 2015-09-25 . live .
  79. News: Martin . Guy . How England's Institute Of Digital Archeology Will Preserve The Art Isis Wants to Destroy . 24 September 2015 . Forbes . 31 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150925091421/http://www.forbes.com/sites/guymartin/2015/08/31/how-englands-institute-of-digital-archeology-will-preserve-the-art-isis-wants-to-destroy/ . 25 September 2015 . live .
  80. News: Bond . Sarah . The Ethics Of 3D-Printing Syria's Cultural Heritage . 2 April 2023 . Forbes . September 22, 2016 . en.
  81. Web site: Triumphal Arch in the News . The Institute for Digital Archaeology . 2 April 2023.
  82. News: Johnstone . Chris . Czechs sign up to help save Syrian cultural heritage . 24 June 2017 . Radio Praha . 17 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170523052039/http://www.radio.cz/en/section/panorama/czechs-sign-up-to-help-save-syrian-cultural-heritage . 23 May 2017 . live .
  83. News: Shaw . Anny . Syrian refugees to be trained to rebuild Palmyra and other heritage sites . 24 June 2017 . The Art Newspaper . 21 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170624090053/http://theartnewspaper.com/news/news/syrian-refugees-to-be-trained-in-traditional-stone-masonry-to-rebuild-palmyra-and-other-heritage-sit/ . 2017-06-24 . dead .
  84. News: Bacchi . Umberto . Palmyra Arch in London: 'Unethical' reconstruction of 'Disneyland' archaeology criticised . 2 April 2023 . International Business Times UK . 19 April 2016 . en.
  85. News: Squires . Nick . Stone sculptures smashed by Isil in ancient city of Palmyra restored to former glory by Italian experts . 24 June 2017 . Telegraph.co.uk . 16 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170812113100/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/16/stone-sculptures-smashed-isil-ancient-city-palmyra-restored/ . 12 August 2017 . live .
  86. News: Di Donato . Valentine . Said-Moorhouse . Lauren . Palmyra treasures restored after ISIS hammer attack . 24 June 2017 . . 17 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170407114709/http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/17/europe/palmyra-treasures-restored-isis/index.html . 7 April 2017 . live .
  87. Web site: Trafficking in Oil and Antiquities Benefitting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) . Rewards for Justice . 1 August 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190801200713/https://rewardsforjustice.net/english/trafficking_oil_and_antiquities.html . 1 August 2019 . live .
  88. News: al-Khateb . Khaled . Russia begins restoration of Arc of Triumph in Syria's Palmyra - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East . 2 April 2023 . www.al-monitor.com . Al-Monitor . November 14, 2021 . en.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Destruction of cultural heritage by the Islamic State".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.