Ancient Artifacts

The British Museum’s “Looting” Problem

by Josephine Livingstone

The venerable museum has "given back" some stolen Iraqi antiquities, but that does not mean it's ready to atone for its colonial-era sins.

Iraqi Artifacts Once Bought by Hobby Lobby Will Return Home

The artifacts, which are from the second and third millennium B.C., will eventually be taken to the National Museum of Iraq in Baghdad.

Video of the Week: Beauty and the Beasts: why terrorists target history

Terrorist groups target cultural heritage, from the Taliban destroying the Bamyan Buddhas to the Daesh wrecking Palmyra. But why? This documentary looks at how terrorist groups use cultural heritage for control – but also for funding.

Islamic State militant sentenced to death for smashing monuments in Mosul

Abdul Sattar Bir Qadar, spokesperson for the High Judicial Council, said in a statement that the court sentenced the suspect to death “Over conviction for taking part in terrorist crimes including the smashing of monuments in Mosul.”

What now for Iraq’s Mosul Museum, recently liberated from ISIS?

by Cathy Otten

A first-person account shows it’s a legacy in ruins.

The full story behind ISIL's takeover of Mosul Museum

Iraqi archaeologists say ISIL looted the museum before destroying it, but many artefacts were stored safely elsewhere.

Report: Syrian government forces enter Palmyra, drive back Islamic State

Islamic State has captured Palmyra, whose ancient ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, twice during Syria's six-year conflict.

Previously untouched 600BC palace discovered under shrine demolished by Isil in Mosul

The shrine is situated on top of a hill in eastern Mosul called Nebi Yunus - one of two mounds that form part of the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh.

IS in Syria destroys part of Roman theater in Palmyra

Islamic State militants have destroyed parts of the second-century Roman amphitheater and an iconic monument known as the Tetrapylon in Syria's historic town of Palmyra, the government and experts said Friday.

Islamic State destroys 100 religious shrines in Nineveh Plain

"The majority of these places belong to Christianity, Yazdanism and Yarsanism (Kaka’i)."

Damaged by War, Syria’s Cultural Sites Rise Anew in France

More than 40,000 images taken from Palmyra are part of a Louvre-curated 3-D exhibition highlighting the threats of war against global heritage.

3,000 years ago, it ruled the Mideast, now blown to pieces

The city of Nimrud in northern Iraq is in pieces, victim of the Islamic State group’s fervor to erase history.

Iconic Ancient Sites Ravaged in ISIS’s Last Stand in Iraq

Archaeological remains in two capitals of a long-lost empire are destroyed as battle to liberate Mosul continues.

ISIS Destroys Ancient Adad & Mashki Gates in Nineveh, Iraq

See the photos.

Bill to protect antiquities worldwide goes to Obama

Late in the day, April 26, 2016 and with final House passage, the US government has approved its final amended version of H.R. 1493, "The Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act" agreed to in the Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Antiquities expert on Palmyra visit: 'Syria can’t possibly restore the destroyed artifacts'

“Specialists are still working to estimate the exact scale of the damage, but it’s around 30 percent.”

‘Illegal’ Syrian antiquity found on sale for £30,000 in London

An ancient stone ornament illegally removed from Syria has been found on sale for tens of thousands of pounds in an upmarket antiques shop in Mayfair, central London.

Ordinary Syrians are risking their lives to protect their cultural heritage

Ordinary Syrian people are going to extraordinary lengths, risking everything to protect their heritage, despite the horror that has engulfed their country.

Grim New Details of IS Destruction in Syria's Palmyra Museum

The museum was trashed and some of its best-known artifacts and statues were smashed by the militants, who cut off the heads and hands of statues and demolished others before being driven out last month.

Syria says restoring Palmyra to the way it was is its goal

It rejects the proposal to rebuild the city utilizing 3D technologies.