Patterns of Looting in Syria/Iraq and the Western Art Market - Dr Mark Altaweel

TL;DR

Looting and destruction in the Near East is causing the loss of cultural heritage and the displacement of ethnic groups, highlighting the need for action and protection.

Transcript

well thank you for having me here today I should say actually this is not really my main research topic I am an archaeologist of Near East and my main interest really is about the past history and its significance to the wider world so I'm writing a book currently on empires from this region and how they actually influence the region and in some se... Read More

Key Insights

• 👥 The looting and destruction in the Near East are causing the loss of cultural heritage and displacement of ethnic groups.
• 😮 Looting has been happening in the region long before the rise of ISIS, but the group has escalated the problem by organizing and profiting from the looting activities.
• 🫵 The destruction of cultural property serves as a propaganda tool for ISIS to promote their religious views and gain support. However, it also causes damage to the Islamic heritage and culture of the region.
• ⚖️ The scale of looting is difficult to determine, but evidence suggests that looted antiquities are being sold in Western markets.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main cause of the looting and destruction in the Near East?

The looting and destruction are caused by the disintegration of the region, the rise of ISIS, and the breakdown of state authority. The lack of governance creates the perfect environment for looting activities.

Q: How does ISIS benefit from the looting of antiquities?

ISIS benefits from the looting of antiquities by organizing and profiting from these activities. They have a formal ministry that licenses and provides support to looters, and they generate revenue through the sale of these antiquities.

Q: How are cultural heritage objects smuggled out of conflict regions?

The objects are usually smuggled through border states like Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. From there, they are transported to Western European markets, such as Germany, Britain, France, and Sweden. Private collectors and museums in East Asia and Australia are also potential buyers.

Q: What can be done to combat the looting of antiquities?

Stricter regulations and monitoring are needed, including requiring sellers to provide evidence of the provenance of the objects. Certification processes can also be implemented to ensure that objects are not obtained from conflict regions. Additionally, initiatives like cultural Crime Watchers can empower people to report suspicious activities and help with investigations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The region of the Near East is experiencing a disintegration and destruction of its cultural heritage through looting, mass killings, and the destruction of ethnic groups.

• Looting has been happening in Syria for a long time, and the rise of ISIS has escalated the problem by organizing and profiting from the looting activities.

• Destruction of cultural property, such as religious sites, serves as a message from ISIS to promote their religious views and gain propaganda value.

• The scale of looting is difficult to determine, but there is evidence of looted objects being sold in the Western market, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and monitoring.