The destruction and looting of Archaeological artifacts and ancient historical sites has been a global problem threatening our shared cultural heritage. In Syria for instance, the lootings and deliberate destruction of the historical sites and monuments, in the middle of the continued warfare have drawn significant attention globally. The antiquities looted in these sites are subsequently smuggled and traded in the black markets which serve as the primary source of funding for the Islamic extremists’ group known as ISIS.

Over the years, there have been various efforts by professionals and government organizations to safeguard the cultural heritage in areas such as Syria. For instance, the shrine to historical icon Sheikh called Ma’rouf Ibn Jamr, has been put in a box and hidden safely in a mosque. Although the mosque has been damaged from the outside the inside was spared. Also, the whole area surrounding the mosque is guarded by government security. Another major effort is by putting the treasures in high security museum, for example, the provincial museum located in Idlib city, Syria. It is made of a thick layer of concrete and has improvised security which is so hard to access unless an electric machine is used. Some other means to protect the cultural heritage may include creating a database for documentation of the destruction of historical sites and artifacts which will help at least in the preservation of the memory of the cultural heritage.

I agree with the statement “the deliberate destruction of antiquities by ISIS and others in the birthplace of human civilization is cultural genocide.” The subsequent destruction and looting by ISIS wipe the sites clean, which leaves no traces of any pre-existing culture or civilization. This ISIS kills the previous culture setting a platform to create its own identity and leave a mark on history.

Safeguarding the cultural heritage should be of great concern to these affected countries and the world at large.