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Damage to Syria's Heritage

15 March 2021
This newsletter provides a summary of the most recent reports on the damage to and restoration of Syria's heritage. It should be stressed that many of the damage reports cannot be verified, but it is hoped that it will assist in the documentation of the damage occurring, and help raise awareness of ongoing work. Heritage for Peace have released a statement concerning their stance on data recording, available here.

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Main Contents

New from Heritage for Peace | Updates on Damage | Updates on Looting | Intangible Heritage | Syrian Activity | Policy Changes and Updates from Syria | International Activity | News Updates

Stories
New from Heritage for Peace
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Updates on Damage
Banqusa Archeological Site in the al-Wastani Mount, Idlib [image: Enab Baladi/Yousef Ghuraibi]
The cost to heritage: ten years into the war

Ten years into the conflict, Al-Monitor, the Jakarta Post and others reported about the brutal destruction of heritage in Syria caused by the 10 years conflict. They describe the situation as the worst destruction of heritage in the 21st century, archaeological sites were destroyed, museums were robbed, and city centers were flattered. The report specifically deals with the destruction of Palmyra, the illegal trafficking of antiquities, and the huge economic challenges for Syria’s heritage future.
New drone footage shows the ruins

Euronews published a new video showing the destruction of the Syrian Heritage during a decade of war. The footage shows some historical monuments that have been destroyed such as Al-Bara site, Idlib Province, and Qalb Lozeh.
The catastrophe of Idlib Antiquities

Enab Baladi reported about the suffering of the archaeological sites in Idlib over ten years of the Syrian crisis, where many archaeological sites lost their identifying features. Some of these sites were subjected to airstrikes, others were used as military bases and training centers, and many families were forced to use some sites as shelters. Other sites were subjected to illegal excavations and their antiquities became objects of illegal trade. The article also discusses the history and the importance of Idlib’s antiquities, the protection measures that should be taken to protect the cultural heritage of the province, and the antiquities in the Syrian law and international law.
Updates on Looting
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Intangible Heritage
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Reports and Updates from the Syrian People
Interview with Dr. Youssef Kanjou

Caravel Magazine published an interview with Dr. Youssef Kanjou, former Director of Aleppo National Museum, who speaks about his views on reconstructing cultural heritage in Syria, the current status of Syria’s world heritage sites, and saving the next generation’s Syrian heritage.
Reconstruction of Al-Sroujieh historical souq in Damascus

Syria Times reported about the reconstruction of Al-Sroujieh historical market project. The project is run by the governorate in collaboration with the shop owners and the General Company for Building and Reconstruction. The works included the replacement of the old ceiling and arches of the entire market with new wooden and metal arches. In addition to uncovering and cleaning the stone arches above the shops, traditional wooden facades will be installed instead of the current metal ones.

The director of technical studies in the governorate added that other work will be done such as repaving the entire souq, reconstructing the sidewalks, and enhancing the infrastructure of the site.
Restoration of Bab Al-Hadid station in Aleppo

Syria Times reported that the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums is about to finish the restoration of the historical Bab Al-Hadid Police Station. The project started last September, the works included restoring the ceilings, building stone arches, cleaning the elevations, installing wooden doors and windows, and installing metal fences.

The project is a part of the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums Plan to restore the archaeological sites and historical buildings destroyed by the war in Aleppo.
 
Challenges for the reconstruction of Palmyra

UrduPoint News reported that reconstruction of the ancient city of Palmyra is facing obstacles. The general director of antiquities and museums in Syria said that a combination of imposed sanctions and the economic hardships related to the Covid-19 pandemic are complicating the reconstruction process.
Video showing the reconstruction of Aleppo

Rebuilding Syria published in their twitter account a video showing the Aleppo before and after the reconstruction. The video is comparing pictures from 2016 with some of 2020 from the most important places in the city.
Policy Changes and Updates from Syria
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International Activity
Call for applications

The Middle East Cooperation Unit (MEC) announced the inaugural event of the university cooperation between BTU and AUB on Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Historic Districts and Preservation of Architectural Heritage after Armed Conflicts. The event is an introduction to a series of events during the period of 2021 and 2022. This event will include sharing experiences and knowledge about the challenges of dealing with the cities will be rebuilt in Syria. If you are a student, young graduate, academic, or professional of Syrian nationality in the field of architecture, urban design, and urban planning inside or outside Syria, you can visit the event webpage to read more and apply.
Thousands of artefacts protected in North East Syria

Fight for Humanity, together with its local partner, the Orient Association, published a video about their project on protecting from thievery thousands of artefacts excavated by archeological missions before the war, such as potteries and bones found in North East Syria. The project, supported by ALIPH foundation, aims to secure Rmelan warehouse and its relics. The video is available here.
News Updates
(Not covered in other sections)
  • The Newman Times - Herald reported about the story of the guardian of Palmyra (Khaled Al-Asaad). The article describes how Al-Asaad stood alone against the Islamic State and refused to reveal the location of Palmyra’s artifacts, which led to his execution by ISIS.
  • Al-Bawaba report on Syria: An Archaeologist’s Paradise Destroyed
This mailing list was produced by Dr Emma Cunliffe, in association with Heritage for Peace
Copyright © 2021 Heritage for Peace, All rights reserved.



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