Cultural Heritage in the Middle East

Order Description

In April 2003, at the time that coalition forces took control of Baghdad, the Iraqi National Museum suffered from a number of episodes of looting. It is commonly agreed that close to 15,000 artifacts were taken from the museum before it was secured.

Many of the more famous artifacts have been returned to the museum either through an amnesty program in the immediate aftermath of the thefts or in the past few years as a result of investigations and attentive customs officials.

The looting of previously unexcavated material in the field has been a far less public, but far worse situation. It is hard to calculate the loss to archaeology of material that was never systematically excavated to begin with.

Take a look at some of the following links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Iraq#Damage_and_losses_during_2003_war

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeological_looting_in_Iraq

Here is a recent article in the NYT outlining the current state of the problem.

Take a look too at the database (apparently no longer maintained as of 2008) that had been listing the materials known to have been stolen.

https://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/IRAQ/dbfiles/Iraqdatabasehome.htm

But this is not just limited to Iraq.

In other parts of the Middle East, such as Syria, civil unrest has resulted in the destruction / looting of a large number of sites, many of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage Registry.

Here are some relevant links:

https://www.livescience.com/39381-syria-archaeology-at-risk.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_heritage_sites_damaged_during_Syrian_civil_war

And an extensive report:

https://ghn.globalheritagefund.com/uploads/documents/document_2107.pdf

The terror group Daesh has taken this type of looting and destruction to a whole new level not only by engaging in the sale of antiquities to fund their campaign but also by publishing their destructive activities in shocking fashion through social media. Members of the group are even willing to kill archaeologists to get to the artifacts kept in hiding.

On why we should call the group “Daesh.”

https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/10/09/words-matter-isis-war-use-daesh/V85GYEuasEEJgrUun0dMUP/story.html

On the tragic fate of Khaled al-Asaad.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/18/isis-beheads-archaeologist-syria

On how the sale of antiquities helps to fund the group.

https://news.usni.org/2014/10/27/isis-funds-terror-black-market-antiquities-trade

Some articles on how these acts of destruction on social media working the group’s favor.

https://www.vox.com/2015/3/11/8184207/islamist-monuments

On how the iconoclastic message of Daesh seems a bit disingenuous.

https://www.salon.com/2015/04/12/isis_and_the_corrupt_art_trade_we_know_cultural_crimes_fund_terrorism_now_what/

But perhaps not

https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-real-value-of-the-isis-antiquities-trade

So, now that you know a little more about this let’s discuss the issue.

Is this a big deal to you? (and it’s ok if it isn’t…just explain why)

What has been lost here?

What should have been done differently about this? (and keep in mind the context of the looting)

How much are collectors of art and ancient artifacts to blame here? What about those of us who view these acts of destruction on social media or the news outlets that show them on mainstream television?

And by extension, what should academics who, in some ways, help to shape the demands of the art market, be doing to deal with this type of activity?

Finally, what can we here in Michigan do about this? Should we do anything about this?

Discuss….